(photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) David Ham) The National Naval Medical Center’s Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society co-chairperson Lt. j.g. Beth Roeder accepts the Navy base at Bethesda Commander Rear Adm. Richard Jeffries’ donation after the kick-off ceremony Thursday.

Lt. j.g. Beth Roeder, the National Naval Medical Center’s Navy and Marine Corps Relief fund co-chairperson, said the campaign runs once-a-year and the money goes towards various financial and educational programs, needs-based scholarships and interest-free loans to those who qualify.

The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society has over 3,000 volunteers and 500 active duty representatives at nearly 250 offices worldwide to financially help Sailors and Marines when emergencies arise.

‘‘The volunteers remain the heart and soul of the organization,” Roeder said. ‘‘Without them, the society could not meet the needs of our Navy and Marine Corps families.”

Navy base at Bethesda Commander Rear Adm. Richard Jeffries said the fund drive offers staff members the opportunity to think about what the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society is. He said it reminds everyone of how important it is to Sailors and Marines who are in need of emergency financial help.

‘‘I think of so many things [the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society] has done for our Sailors, Marines and their families over the decades,” Jeffries said. ‘‘It’s something worthwhile and we need to give everybody a chance to contribute to a worthwhile organization.”

Capt. Roberto Quinones, Navy Medicine Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education Command’s commanding officer, said he has been an active contributor to the fund for 39 years. He said the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society has always been an organization that gives to those who are in need of assistance.

‘‘With the grants and loans they give, the money is always recycled,” Quinones said. ‘‘I have had Sailors in my past and present commands who were in dire need of assistance and not once have I seen the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society turn any of them away.”

The money will help with rent payments, utility payments, child care expenses and emergency auto repairs, Roeder said. Funds also will help pay for any emergency travel tickets for service members.

Marine Capt. Milinda Benitez, officer in charge of Bethesda’s Marine Corps Liaison Office, said Marines are thought of as being able to do everything on their own. But, she said that’s not always the case. She compliments the relief society’s ability to provide money for emergency travel, even if it’s to see a fellow service member during his recovery.

She said the relief society helped a wounded Marine, who was recovering at the National Naval Medical Center, travel to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston to visit a fellow Marine who was their burn unit.

She said the Marine at the National Naval Medical Center couldn’t concentrate on his recovery until he knew that his buddy was okay in Texas.

‘‘It started to get to him psychologically,” she said. ‘‘The relief society paid to get this Marine to visit his ‘brother’ in Texas. They paid for the flight, rental car, hotel and insured his medical needs were met.”

‘‘I encourage everyone to give as much as they can,” Jeffries said. ‘‘We know where the money is going and we know who’s getting it and we know it’s going for the right causes.”