Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society's (NMCRS) 2017 Fund Drive is about more than just raising money, explained long-time NMCRS volunteer Ginger Commerford as she helped prepare materials for the upcoming drive.

"The fund drive is our funds," said Commerford, "but more than that, it advertises our mission and applauds our assistance within our own community. The fund drive encourages us to take care of our own. And the great thing is that because of our ability to provide interest-free loans, each donation can be used several times over."

Clients walking through the door of Naval Air Station Patuxent River's NMCRS office typically need "a quick infusion of cash," according to Commerford.

"Most recently the cash was needed for car repairs, rent, or Quick Assist Loans (QALs) when the service member has met some unexpected need but then falls short in the monthly budget," she said. "NMCRS gives service members a place to turn when there is a need beyond their usual expectation."

In 2016, Patuxent River's NMCRS office served 283 clients and provided $214,449 in financial assistance to active-duty and retired members of the Navy and Marine Corps, qualifying family members, widows, and survivors. Help in the form of QALs, interest-free loans, grants, and financial education is available regardless of the military member's rank.

"When a client calls or walks in the office, the caseworker listens to their request for assistance," explained Maureen Farrell, director of the Patuxent River NMCRS office. "Then, depending on the request, the caseworker lays out the options of service available to the client. The client and the caseworker can then make a decision about how to most effectively handle the request. The average time to complete a traditional case request is approximately an hour. QALs take much less time, but are only available to the active duty and may require a budget."

Interest-free loans made up 92 percent of the financial assistance provided at the Patuxent River office last year.

"In our office, I would say our relevance stems mainly from our ability to extend interest-free loans and the occasional, but not always small, grant to alleviate the financial difficulty -- as well as the stress that accompanies it," said Commerford. "NMCRS is unique in that it can support service members, family members, and even widows in financial need. A bank can give you a loan, but they rarely look at how that loan will affect your day-to-day life. We work to get each case resolved quickly in the service member's best interest and within NMCRS policy."

For more information on NMCRS services or to donate, contact Farrell at 301-342-4739 or Maureen.Farrell@nmcrs.org. The Patuxent River NMCRS office is located in Building 401 and is open for assistance 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Thursday.

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