JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The annual Navy - Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive kicked off March 1, and is scheduled to run through March 31, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston with a goal of raising $250,000 this year.
NMCRS is a non-profit, charitable organization sponsored by the Department of the Navy and operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases. The NMCRS mission is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational and other assistance to members of the naval services of the United States and their family members and survivors when in need.
According to David Hastings, JB Charleston - Weapons Station NMCRS director, "Last year's fund drive enabled the local NMCRS office to provide $325,519 in zero interest loans and grants to local service members eligible and in need."
"The NMCRS is a charity specifically geared for supporting Sailors and Marines in need," said Lt. j.g. Alex Handley, Naval Support Activity Charleston NMCRS Fund Drive coordinator. "Contributing to the NMCRS is an easy and effective way to be a genuine 'Shipmate' and help each other through stressful financial times."
"There is a strong history of Sailors and Marines taking care of their own," said Hastings. "The NMCRS has played a vital role in keeping that tradition alive for more than 100 years and with the success we've had at JB Charleston, we'll be taking care of our own for many years to come."
Unit representatives are responsible for making 100 percent contact with all Sailors and Marines in regards to the NMCRS fund drive. Service members may make monthly allotments, or make a cash or check contribution, and, according to Hastings, something new this year is the ability to donate directly through the NMCRS website at
www.nmcrsfunddrive.org.
For more information, call the JB Charleston - Weapons Station NMCRS office at 764 - 7662, visit 1004 Jefferson Avenue Building 717 on the Weapons Station; or visit the NMCRS website at
www.nmcrs.org.