Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Hampton Roads celebrated the successful completion of the 2015 Active Duty Fund Drive June 29, and awarded Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COTF) and other commands from the Fleet Forces Command sub-area for their significant contributions and personnel involvement.

The luncheon brought together nearly 200 Sailors and Marines from more than 52 local participating commands to recognize their contribution to this year's drive. The drive was organized to raise program awareness for active duty Sailors and Marines, as well as to raise funds to support the services offered by the NMCRS.

"We are here to celebrate the successful conclusion of the 2015 Active Duty Fund Drive," said Kathy Nelson, NMCRS regional director and a retired Navy captain. "The collective efforts resulted in nearly $1.25 million in donations, raised to support Sailors, Marines and their families."

The NMCRS luncheon honored and awarded commands based on their percentage of command-wide participation and the average donation-per-person or donation improvement from 2014.

"The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has been there for Sailors and Marines who faced family emergencies, natural disasters and other unexpected life events that strain monthly budgets," said retired Adm. Steve Abbot, president and chief executive officer of the NMCRS.

COTF was awarded Honor Roll Designation, having increased donations by 42%. The command was one of several to increase their average donation amount as well as improve their command participation.

"The goal for each command is to reach 100 percent of military personnel," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Aaron Lambert, COTF command chairman for the NMCRS. "COTF had a huge success of participation through command social events and by discussing the history and importance of the NMCRS organization."

The NMCRS is a private, non-profit aid society that helps Sailors and Marines during financial crises via interest-free quick assist loans and grants. The organization is purely donation-based and helps thousands of Sailors and Marines annually.

"Hampton Roads continues to represent nearly 20 percent of the Society's $49 million in worldwide assistance," said Nelson. "You represent the best efforts of the hundreds of area commands who participated this year and please accept our heartfelt thanks for a job exceptionally well done."

This year's campaign was organized and lead by Rear Adm. Louis Cariello, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and a team of sub-area coordinators.

COTF is responsible for the essential task of testing and evaluating the warfighting capabilities of platforms, aircraft and system operations utilized by U.S. Armed Forces, under realistic operational conditions. This mission-essential task determines the effectiveness, suitability and impact on mission accomplishment, providing an important operational assessment on the procedures and tactics necessary for the development of new warfighting capabilities.

For more information about the NMCRS Fund Drive, visit: http://nmcrsfunddrive.org/

For more news from COTF, visit www.navy.mil/local/COTF/