MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Volunteers with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society were recognized during a semi-annual luncheon at the South Mesa Club, Nov. 17.
The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon featured food, awards and dessert for those who have donated between 100 hours and 9,000 hours of their personal time to the military community.
“The relief society depends on volunteers for providing assistance to Marines, sailors and their families,” said Mike Hire, director, NMCRS Mainside office, Camp Pendleton, and a retired Marine Lt. Col. “We have 300 paid employees, but more than 3,500 volunteers (throughout the Marine Corps.) What better way to thank them for their help than by hosting a luncheon in their honor.”
According to Hire, the society depends on its supporters to do things such as welcoming in Marines and sailors to the facility, providing expedient casework management, running a thrift shop and making hand-made baby items.
“We have 120 volunteers here at Camp Pendleton, and we are always welcoming of anyone who has an interest in giving to the community,” said Hire, the D.C. native.
Hire added that the luncheons have been here for more than 50 years and will continue in the future to honor the volunteers for their countless hours of service.
“The society is a huge family, just like the Marine Corps and Navy,” said Hire. “When a Marine or sailor gets transferred to a new duty station, and his spouse has been volunteering with us, they can pick up right where they left off at the new NMCRS location.”
The awards were presented to the recipients by the base commanding officer, Col. Nicholas F. Marano and Sgt. Maj. Ramona D. Cook, base sergeant major.
“It’s funny to hear NMCRS thank us for what we do, when (Marines and sailors) benefit from the time that volunteers put in,” said Marano. “I can’t thank the volunteers enough for all the work they have done for the Marines, sailors and the families of this base.”
Seventy-seven volunteers were honored during the affair. The most hours volunteered was 9,000 hours, by Melody Long, and Jon Allen-Romberg volunteered the second most hours of 3,000 hours.
For more information on volunteering with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, call 760-725-5337/5338.