Photo By Cpl. Christopher Johns | Officials from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., and...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Officials from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society met during the Volunteer Executive Board, Dec. 9.
The purpose behind the board was to present how much aid the branch provides to the Service members stationed aboard the air station and about the upcoming fund drive they will hold in the spring.
Last year the society assisted more than 1,500 Service members in financial cases providing more than $1.1 million to those in need aboard Miramar alone. That doesn’t include cases of financial counseling or classes offered by the organization.
The NMCRS holds an annual fund drive asking Service members, family members and civilian contractors to donate for their cause and replenish some of those funds they provide. Last year they received roughly one tenth of what they spent.
The society needs help.
Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, 3rd MAW commanding general, explained that he and his wife are both staunch supporters of the society’s mission and he plans to ensure that word is passed about the event.
“Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society actually plays a significant role here on the installation,” said Col. John Farnam, MCAS Miramar commanding officer. “They make a difference for us here, and that difference comes in the form of readiness. The services they provide keep our Marines out of trouble financially and keeps them focused on work.”
No matter how much these two influential Marines and their families advocate, it’s still up to the individual Service member to decide to donate and how the society affects them.
According to Miller, the funds they ask for go right back into the life blood of the green machine that keeps the installation and aircraft wing going and accomplishing incredible feats.
The society offers many different programs, run mostly by volunteers. Some of these are educating Marines on budgeting smartly, financial assistance for loans and education, in-home nursing for combat veterans, access to the installation’s thrift shop and quick assist loans.
Most of those who volunteer have received help from the society or have heard of what it offers Service members and want to give back.
“We enjoy what we do,” said Leah Miller, director of Miramar’s NMCRS branch and former volunteer. “It always brings me joy to be stopped outside of a brief by someone so they can tell me that our information helped them.”
Their ultimate goal is to educate and assist Service members who might need assistance due to extenuating circumstances and relieve any stress they might be feeling from monetary issues so they can stay ready to serve.
Volunteers with the society want to keep supplying Service members with the help they need, but they, and their programs, could use a little help in return.
Miller expressed that donations of time, even if someone can only give an hour, are as greatly appreciated as monetary donations, and that the society is always in need of a few more hands.
For more information about the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, please visit http://www.nmcrs.org/ or call 858-577-1807.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2014 18:53 |
| Story ID: | 150015 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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