MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- It began in 1904 as an organization known as the Navy Relief Society, created by volunteers from the extended Navy family to provide a safety net for sea-service families.
Today, the organization goes by a new moniker, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, though the mission remains the same: to ensure that Marines and Sailors in need are given the support they deserve to overcome unexpected obstacles. It’s the kind of program you’d expect from a service that places a high priority on taking care of their own.
The NMCRS has changed dramatically since it’s initial inception in order to better service those in need. Created in a time when military benefits such as Servicemembers Group Life Insurance were unheard of, the society now offers interest-free loans and grants to cover the cost of rent, groceries, automobile repairs and medical bills, to name a few.
The NMCRS’ Annual Active Duty Fund Drive will begin March 28 and run through April 28. This will be the opportunity for active duty servicemembers to donate.
“The NMCRS puts every dollar received toward aiding Marines and Sailors,” explained Michael G. Hire, director of NMCRS. “All donations are tax deductible and go toward some sort of relief service, ranging from groceries to child care.”
To channel the message to Pendleton residents and workers, the NMCRS plans to advertise the drive by passing out flyers at different Marine Corps Exchanges as well as posting large banners on the north and south end of base.
“One goal of the drive is to surpass last years total, which was $204,399,” said Lt. Col. Sam P. Pelham, the fund drive coordinator for NMCRS.
Though collecting as many donations as possible is an obvious goal for the drive, Hire believes the ultimate mission is to make every servicemember aware of NMCRS and what it can do for them.
“Making 100 percent contact with every Marine and Sailor is of the utmost import-ance, whether they’re junior or senior enlisted,” said Hire. “We need to get out to as many places as we can to get the word out and show our servicemembers what we can do for them.”
With payday lenders waiting outside the base gates for gullible servicemembers seeking a quick fix, Hire’s words echo a sentiment shared by many senior leaders.
“The worst way a Marine or Sailor can borrow money is through a payday lender,” explained Hire. “More often than not they leave the place much worse off than they did when entering.”
Servicemembers can donate to the fund through allotments or cash donations. For more information on the NMCRS or the fund drive, contact 725-5337.