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Fleet Activities Yokosuka leaders and volunteers gathered together at the Commodore Matthew C. Perry General Mess, March 5, to help kick off the 2024 Active-Duty Fund Drive in support of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS).
The annual drive aims to raise awareness and funds for the services that NMCRS provides Sailors and their families. These services include interest-free loans, budget counseling, Budget for Baby workshops, and affordable household items, uniforms, and clothing at the organization’s Thrift Shop.
The kickoff event, graced by CFAY leaders, underscored the theme of service and generosity. Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Captain Les Sobol, applauded NMCRS’s critical role. “The NMCRS has been with us for the long haul, delivering over a million and a half dollars in relief to our sailors just last year. Our own taking care of our own – that’s the heart of this organization,” he said.
In 2023, NMCRS Yokosuka delivered over $1.5 million in financial assistance across 941 cases, marking a significant 30% uptick from the previous year. Caroline Coffer, the Director of NMCRS Yokosuka, emphasized the critical role of NMCRS as a readiness partner. “Our goal is to alleviate financial stressors so service members can focus on their missions,” she stated.
The 2024 campaign targets 100% meaningful contact – a substantial leap from the 66% achieved during last year’s drive. “Meaningful contact” is defined by the opportunity for Key Persons to convey the breadth of NMCRS programs followed by a donation request.
MAC Monica Thomlinson, the NMCRS Area Coordinator, highlighted the importance of the annual event. “Your donations make a tangible difference in the lives of those who protect our nation,” she said.
NMCRS Yokosuka has been instrumental in supporting military personnel, especially in transition phases such as transfers in or out of Yokosuka, offering financial assistance for lodging and pet transportation costs associated with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves.
Thomlinson continued, “Whether it’s unexpected medical expenses or education scholarships for service members’ children, every contribution counts.
”A call to action was made to Command Leadership, whose support can steer the drive towards success. Coffer stated, “When commands display top-down support for the fund drive, it is historically more successful.”
NMCRS Thrift Shop, another crucial component, generated over $45,000 in sales, with 90 cents of every dollar feeding back into their financial assistance programs – a testament to the community’s participation and generosity. Coffer reminded the audience of their thrift shop open on Wednesdays and available resources for those in need.
Moreover, NMCRS services extend beyond financial aid to include Budget for Baby workshops, quick assist loans, and visiting nurses. “These services are not just transactions but lifelines for those we serve,” Coffer remarked.
Statistics show an urgent need for such services, with a staggering 30% increase in financial assistance from 2022 to 2023. Yet, despite the rise in assistance provided, there has been a decrease in donations – a gap the 2024 drive seeks to fill.
The kickoff event concluded with a powerful note from Captain Sobol, “Our folks need it, and they require it. This program is a testament to our long-standing tradition of supporting our own – a tradition that continues with today’s fund drive."
The Active-Duty Fund Drive will continue through April at various commands across Fleet Activities Yokosuka, united by a singular purpose: to serve those who defend.
To support this enduring legacy of solidarity and service, or to learn more about the offerings of NMCRS Yokosuka, interested parties are encouraged to contact the NMCRS office. It’s located on the third floor of the Community Readiness Center across from the Commissary, with the Thrift Shop housed in Building G59 on Clement Blvd across the street from the Benny Decker Theater between the NEX Main Street Food Court and NAVSUP Yokosuka Post Office.
NMCRS is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The NMCRS Thrift Shop hours change based on volunteer availability. The most up-to-date hours are always available through the official Yokosuka NMCRS social media page on Facebook.
To schedule an appointment, please email Yokosuka@nmcrs.org or call 046-816-7905 locally, +81 46-816-7905 internationally, or 243-7905 from a DSN. Dialing instructions are available in the Far East Phone Directory.
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2024 03:34 |
| Story ID: | 469308 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Kicks Off NMCRS Active-Duty Fund Drive 2024, by Justin Keller, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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