Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Johans Chavarro | 150610-N-IU636-033 PEARL HARBOR (June 10, 2015) Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of...... read more read more
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PEARL HARBOR - Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific and the Honorary Chair Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Advisory Board, and Rear Adm. (sel) Grafton D. "Chip" Chase Jr., commanding officer of Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor, presented Pearl Harbor Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) representative with a ceremonial check during an NMCRS fund drive ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) June 10.
Commands throughout JBPHH raised $483,262.31 through Sailor contributions and command-organized events, like car washes, bake sales and similar activities.
During the ceremony, Williams recognized the hard work of those involved in coordinating the 2015 NMCRS Fund Drive and advised them to let their success in the fund drive motivate them in future endeavors.
“I believe we should take pride and reflect on the great work you [coordinators] have done, as individual leaders, to lead this fund drive and the challenges that come with it,” said Williams. “When you go back to your commands, you should take back some of the energy and some of the enthusiasm from today and take pride in the efforts you have made in trying to inspire others to give back to their Navy and their shipmates. If you can do that, like you’ve done with this fund drive, think of the other things you’re going to be able to do. Think of the other things you’re going to be able to inspire and influence and lead individuals to do.”
Williams went on to describe the near half a million dollars raised as a testament of the responsibility and commitment Sailors feel towards one another.
"This nearly half a million dollars is a very good effort and a reflection of how much we care about shipmates taking care of shipmates,” said Williams. “I really like Adm. Harris’ thoughts that the greatest ‘ships’ in the Navy aren’t necessarily the ships in port, but rather the relationships, the partnerships and the friendships. I really believe that, and I think that this half a million dollars we raised is a direct reflection of that.”
After his remarks, Williams and Rear Adm. (sel) Chase presented Paul Belanger, director Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Pearl Harbor, with a check for $483,262.31.
Belanger thanked the command NMCRS representatives throughout Pearl Harbor for staying committed to the 2015 fund drive and, again, beating the previous year’s contributions.
“Hawaii, again, has set records for the Navy Relief Fund Drive contributions,” said Belanger. “When you look at per capita, based on population size, Hawaii is at the top in the world again…so, the one thing I want to say is, ‘thank you,’ for running such an outstanding fund drive this year.”
Ensign Kelsey McCullough, NMCRS representative for the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), said beyond the opportunity to aid Sailors and peers in need, the NMCRS also allowed all Sailors the opportunity to focus on the mission, rather than financial concern or strain.
“NMCRS is great for the slogan, ‘Sailors helping Sailors,’” Cullough. “I think it’s a great way for us to give extra to our peers and our Sailors and also helping people all over the nation and the Navy pursue common goals. Through the NMCRS, people get the chance to perform better at work because they’re no longer worried about the financial strain of being behind on bills or having issues with their car. The NMCRS helps eliminate that.”
Nearly 90 percent of the NMCRS' workforce is comprised of volunteers who provide financial assistance and counseling, quick assistance loans, education assistance, health education and post-combat support, advice on how to budget for a baby, emergency travel assistance, disaster relief and thrift shops for Sailors, Marines and their families.
NMCRS began in 1904, when several Naval officers, wives of Naval officers, and civilian friends saw the need for more formal and organized assistance. NMCRS was incorporated on January 23 of that year. Initial funding came from the proceeds of the 1903 Army-Navy Football Game and in its first year, the NMCRS gave $9,500 to widows and families of enlisted men.
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2015 23:28 |
| Story ID: | 166219 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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