MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society continues to offer financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, and as a volunteer organization, it is consistently searching for those willing to make a difference by donating their time.

The society, which started in 1904 with just seven volunteers, now boasts a force of more than 3,600 that have made it possible for the NMCRS to serve more than 4 million sailors, Marines and their families at nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the world.

 Camp Pendleton, which houses two NMCRS offices, has approximately 100 volunteers currently assisting in various capacities, but there is always room for more, said Mike Hire, director, NMCRS, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

“We accept active-duty military, military spouses, retirees and their spouses, dependents, groups, organizations and civilians in almost all of our departments,” said Hire. “Volunteers are a vital part of our ability to operate effectively.”

There are a variety of available jobs for volunteers to choose from within NMCRS, such as greeting service members and logging in informational data in the office, creating in-depth budgets and determining solutions for requests as a caseworker, stocking shelves and ringing up purchases at the thrift shop or conducting Budget for Baby workshops for expecting parents-to-be.

“Our first priority is to find out how the volunteer wants to donate their time, and then do our best to ensure they’re able to serve where they think they will best contribute to the NMCRS,” said Hire. “We hold an orientation class for volunteers at both of our offices once a month, no matter how many have signed up. Whether we have two or twenty volunteers show up, we make sure to provide the best possible training to ensure each participant is qualified to work in their respective areas.”

Volunteers do not need prior experience in their desired area of work, as NMCRS provides an extensive training program for all participants, regardless of their chosen volunteer path, said Hire.

With the NMCRS facing their busiest time of year from June to September, Camp Pendleton’s offices are aiming to recruit and train around 80 new volunteers within the next several months.

“Even with our San Onofre office filled to capacity with volunteers, we never turn those wanting to donate their time away,” said Hire. “We are always recruiting volunteers.”

Potential volunteers are scouted from various sources throughout the base, said Jennifer Smit, Chair of Volunteers for NMCRS Mainside.

“We utilize online services such as volunteermatch.com and the Camp Pendleton volunteer site, and have created a relationship with the Family Member Employment Assistance Program, which has referred several volunteers to us,” said Smit. “Those interested in volunteering can stop by our office anytime.”

Those interested in donating their time can also call the Mainside NMCRS office directly at 760-725-5337.