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MCAS Cherry Point News

 

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The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society's annual, active-duty fund drive runs through the end of March. The NMCRS is a nonprofit organization established to help active duty service members, retirees and family members by offering financial assistance. For more information, visit www.nmcrsfunddrive.org.

Photo by Courtesy photo

NMCRS fund drive going strong

10 Apr 2014 | Lance Cpl. Victor A. Arriaga Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society’s 2014 active duty fund drive runs throughout the months of March and April across the naval services, educating Marines and sailors about the society, and raising essential working capital for its operations through donations.

Since the fund drive started, it has raised more than $3.5 million society wide and more than $30,000 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, according to Vicki Wilson, the director of Cherry Point’s NMCRS.

“The fund drive is going great society wide and on base,” said Wilson. “The key personnel are doing a super job getting the word out and letting Marines and sailors on base know that we are here.”

The NMCRS is a nonprofit organization established to help active duty service members, retirees and family members by offering financial assistance. In an emergency, the society can provide assistance for funeral expenses, disaster relief assistance or medical co-pays. Additionally, the society offers budget counseling, financial management and loans.

Volunteers also play a key role in the society’s mission by donating their time to help Marines, sailors and their families by offering lactation consultants and financial classes.

“This week is volunteer appreciation week and I can’t even convey just how much the volunteers contribute to our society,” said Wilson. “Without our volunteers or donations, the society would not be able to exist.”

Last year, 65,358 Marines, sailors and families throughout the Department of the Navy received more than $49 million in financial assistance. Nearly 2,000 Marines, sailors and families throughout Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point received more than $700,000 in financial assistance. Donations supported various needs including airfare and travel expenses during emergency leave and essential vehicle repairs.

“We do not focus on how much money we make during the fund drive because what we really worry about is that there is 100 percent contact with all Marines and sailors so that they know we are here to help them in their time of need,” said Wilson.

There are several options available to those who want to donate. The preferred, most convenient and most error-free way to donate is through an allotment. Marines with an end of active service date greater than three months from when the drive starts can log onto Marine Online at www.mol.usmc.mil and set an allotment to support the NMCRS. Paper form allotments are also available and can be obtained through unit representatives.

Additionally, anyone interested in making a donation can log onto www.nmcrsfunddrive.org and set up an allotment or set up a one-time donation via credit card. Cash and check donations are also accepted. Contribution forms should be filled out in every case to keep track of command participation.

To support the NMCRS with a donation, contact your unit representative or go to www.nmcrsfunddrive.org. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about NMCRS programs can call the NMCRS office at (252) 466-2031 or email philly.pridgen@nmcrs.org.

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point