JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C -- The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society concluded a successful fund drive with an appreciation luncheon acknowledging the hard work and contributions of command representatives at Joint Base Charleston-Weapons Station, April 13.

The representatives were responsible for contacting 100 percent of service members at their respective commands and collecting donations. This year's NMCRS fund drive collected donations that exceeded the fund drive's intended goal of $190,000.

"There was 100 percent contact of service members for tenant commands and Naval Support Activity at JB Charleston-WS," said Lt. j.g. William Sever, NMCRS NSA Fund Drive coordinator. "We have already collected more than $248,000, which is more than our original goal of $190,000, and we are still receiving donations."

The NMCRS is solely funded through the donations. The fund drive gives the relief society the opportunity to offer more assistance to service members who are in financial need.

"The only way the NMCRS can help service members is through donations," said David Hastings, JB-Charleston-WS NMCRS director. "Therefore, it is great that the fund drive over achieved its intended goal. Now the NMCRS has more funds available for assisting Sailors and Marines who may find themselves in a financial hardship or unfortunate emergency that requires additional funding."

The NMCRS provides assistance to Sailors and Marines who require financial assistance through a variety of offered programs to aid those in need, ranging from interest-free loans and grants to financial guidance programs.

"There is no way to know when you're going to need that extra bit of money to help with a unexpected bill or have the funds available for an emergency situation. Raising money for the NMCRS directly supports our local Sailors and Marines who may need that financial assistance," said Lieutenant Sever.

"With rising gas prices and other economic hardships, Sailors and Marines are seeking out NMCRS more often," he concluded. "The society is capable of providing our service members financial support through services which directly supports the Navy's mission, ensuring our service members can remain focused on the tasks at hand and not worry about their finances."

For more information on NMCRS, visit www.nmcrs.org or call the local NMCRS office at 764-7662.