USS Barry Sailors Raise NMCRS Money

AT SEA (NNS) -- As of April 21, Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) raised nearly $14,000 dollars for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) fund drive.

This year's donation was an increase of $1,500 dollars from last year's fund drive.

Barry's donations put the command among the top destroyers in Commander, Naval Surface Fleet-Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT).

"I'm ecstatic about all the donations we received," said Ensign Luke Freeman, Barry's NMCRS fund drive coordinator. "These Sailors are truly amazing for pulling together to raise money for such a meaningful cause."

The relief society helped one in every six active duty Sailors and Marines in 2009. It dispersed more than $47 million in loans and grants in response to over 91,000 financial assistance requests. The financial assistance primarily consist of quick assist loans (interest free loans of up to $300), grants and educational scholarships and loans.

"The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society has helped out and directly affected people I've worked with," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Hostetter. "A lot of the military members that use the relief society are in a financial bind and sometimes living paycheck to paycheck. I like the fact that they don't charge any interest and they only make you pay back what you borrowed."

NMCRS was founded in 1904. It is a private, non-profit, charitable organization. It exists solely to support the active and retired communities of the naval service.

"This is a great organization to give back to because they help so many people," said Chief Fire Controlman Kevin Prouty. "At the end of the day, this all ties into educating the younger Sailors on how to be financially responsible. We want service members to know about NMCRS and use it if they are in a bind but at the same time, we are teaching them to be fiscally smart."

NMCRS offices are located at approximately 250 locations ashore and afloat throughout the world, the societies work is accomplished mainly by its 3600 dedicated, trained and caring volunteers who are supported by a small cadre of employees.

Barry is on a routine deployment conducting maritime security operations in U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4, visit www.navy.mil/local/phibron4/.