U.S. Navy photo by Connie Hempel
Rear Adm. CJ Jaynes, commander of Fleet Readiness Centers, talks to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive volunteers about the importance of 100 percent contact.
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Families helping families
As the annual Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive launched this week, volunteers have hit the streets looking to make 100 percent contact, raising dollars and awareness.
“Through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, our Sailors and Marines can get the support they need right here from their family,” Rear Adm. CJ Jaynes, commander of Fleet Readiness Centers and Naval Air Systems Command assistant commander for Logistics and Industrial Operations, said during the kickoff event Tuesday. “I know with the current budget constraints it will be harder to go out and get as many donations as we’ve had in the past, but a lot of our civilians are retired military and they haven’t forgotten what it’s all about.”
Since its beginning 109 years ago, the NMCRS has helped thousands of Navy and Marine Corps families facing financial struggles every year. Whether those struggles are caused from a military move leaving a dual income family to single income, a vehicle in need of repair, or not being able to make ends meet with rent, utilities and groceries, the NMCRS offers interest-free loans and grants for active-duty and retired military, their family and widows of service members.
During last year’s drive, more than $103,000 was raised for the NMCRS at Pax River. With those donated dollars, the NMCRS was able to help more than 250 clients.
But it’s not just about the no-interest loans and grants, NMCRS offers financial education, too.
“Financial stability contributes to readiness,” said Maureen Farrell, director of the NMCRS office here. “We can help with budgets and building a strategy for the future.”
Sometimes people are unsure if NMCRS can help them, but Farrell said if in doubt, call.
“If we can’t help, we can put you in contact with who can,” she said.
For more information on the NMCRS or to make an electronic donation, visit www.nmcrs.org or call 301-342-4739.
See upcoming Tester issues for information on what services NMCRS provides and how families continue to help families.