Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC)Puget Sound led the regional Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society 2017 Active Duty Fund Drive team to new records for personnel contact, total contributions, and per capita donations.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) wrapped up its 2017 Active Duty Fund Drive, May 15.

The 2017 NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive for commands in the Kitsap - West Puget Sound region pulled in $426,202.32 in monetary contributions; 20 percent more than the NMCRS Kitsap-West Sound total for 2016.

This year's chair for the Kitsap - West Sound Active Duty Fund Drive was Capt. Philippe Grandjean, commanding officer of NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound. The coordinator was Lt. Timothy Trask, a Supply Corps officer assigned to the NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound contracting department.

The goal for the 2017 Active Duty Fund Drive was to beat the 2016 number for meaningful contacts, individuals contacted personally by a NMCRS fund drive representative and provided with information regarding NMCRS programs. Command NMCRS representatives also furnish information and assist with setting up an allotment or making a one-time contribution if a Sailor chooses to donate.

According to Grandjean, the fund drive team, made up of representatives from commands throughout the Kitsap-West Puget Sound region, contacted 86.4 percent of all active duty personnel in the area. Out of 62 sea and shore commands that participated in the fund drive, 35 achieved 100 percent contact with their active duty personnel.

The average donation for active duty service members was $30.29 per person.

Proactive participation from senior leadership, command representatives that were engaged and motivated, and above all, clear and consistent communication were instrumental to the drive's success, according to Trask.

"The key to our success was getting the word out. The people who did the hard work were the command representatives that hammered home the message about how important this program is," said Trask.

Kathy Phillips, director of the NMCRS office in Bangor, Washington, said that this year's fundraising team set a new bar for the annual fund drive, with the highest-ever per capita donation and contribution total.

"I've never seen anything like this before in my 18-year tenure," said Phillips.

NMCRS is widely known for assisting Sailors and Marines through no-interest loans and, in certain situations, grants during financial emergencies. The organization also provides other services to active duty, retired and reserve Sailors and Marines, such as financial counseling, post-combat support, and educational assistance. NMCRS also provides infant layettes to new families and runs a Visiting Nurse Program for wounded Sailors and Marines.

NMCRS receives no government funding and relies on volunteer staff and donations to operate.

In 2016, NMCRS provided more than $45 million in financial assistance for nearly 60,000 Sailors and Marines.

"There are a number of Sailors and Marines that use their programs, and it's up to all of us to do what we can to support them. NMCRS is a fantastic organization that is always there to help our shipmates when they are in need," said Grandjean.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a non-profit, volunteer service organization that provides financial services, education, family support, and disaster relief to active duty and retired Sailors and Marines, as well as their eligible family members. To learn more about the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and the services they provide, visit the organization's website at www.nmcrs.org.

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