Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Guam Recognizes Volunteers

TUMON, Guam (April 30, 2013) (NNS) -- The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Guam honored the organization's volunteers during a luncheon at the Pacific Island Club in Tumon, Guam, April 30.

NMCRS Guam Director Rebecca Brooks said the luncheon was held to recognize 15 volunteers who dedicated 100-1,000 hours of their time to the society in order to assist Sailors, Marines and their families in times of crisis.

"Our mission is to help them to self-sufficiency," she said. "So in that time if they find they are just struggling from paycheck to paycheck we could possibly sit down with them and help them with their budget."

Brooks added the group is diverse and that almost every command on Guam is represented between the thrift store and office.

"It's good for the spouses to come volunteer," she said. "We pay for childcare, we pay for mileage and it gives you a sense of family. It's nice just to sit with a group of gals that are giving up their time in a positive light."

Amata Hutcherson, NMCRS volunteer and marketing coordinator, said she gives her time to the society because she can relate to many of the clients who come in.

"I always knew that Navy-Marine Corps was the place to be," she said. "Being an active-duty Navy spouse, we've gone through a lot of transitions so we kind of all understand clients (who) are coming in and it's nice just being able to help somebody."

Hutcherson said though she was happy to receive an award most people volunteer their time just to be able to assist.

"I think volunteers in general don't do it for the recognition, they do it for that purpose to know that they're doing it for something to give back, to help other people when they are in need," she said. "It's nice to know that someone is there to help you...to be a part of that as a society it really gives you a good sense of purpose."

Brooks and Hutcherson encouraged those willing to volunteer to stop by the NMCRS office on U.S. Naval Base Guam Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"We are in need of volunteers, critically," Brooks said. "This is our high season. PCS (permanent change of station) starts and that's when everything goes into high gear because it's a difficult move, it's a difficult move onto Guam and difficult to move off of Guam."

For more information about NMCRS Guam or to volunteer, call 564-1880 or visit www.facebook.com/NavyMarineCorpsReliefSocietyGuam?fref=ts>
For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam/.