Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) hockey teams faced off, Feb. 25, at the Norfolk Scope arena in support of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS).

The NMCRS provides financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans and grants to Sailors and Marines in need. The organization's annual fund drive kicks off March 1.

A portion of the proceeds from the game's ticket sales was donated to the organization. The good-natured carrier rivalry gave Sailors from Abraham Lincoln and Ike an opportunity to root for their respective home teams, as well as support of a worthy cause.

In 2016, Abraham Lincoln raised nearly $64,000 during its NMCRS fundraising campaign. This year, the command hopes to contribute even more by making 100 percent, face-to-face contact with each Sailor aboard.

"Every one of us could donate just $3 a paycheck to NMCRS," said Capt. Ronald Ravelo, commanding officer of Abraham Lincoln. "That is not even a cup of coffee and, yet, that little amount adds up to about $75,000 we could potentially raise. NMCRS is Sailors and Marines taking care of and helping out each other. This is our opportunity to help ourselves."

However, it isn't just about raising money, said Lt. Patrick Fleenor, Lincoln's NMCRS fund drive co-coordinator.

"This is also an opportunity to educate our Sailors on the many, many things that Navy-Marine Corps Relief can do to help Sailors," he said. "This is our opportunity to share stories of how this organization has helped many Sailors over the years."

The NMCRS offers a range of programs beyond emergency loans, including financial counseling, education assistance, health education and post-combat support, child budgeting, disaster relief, emergency travel funding, and access to thrift shops. By using a workforce composed mostly of volunteers, most contributions go back to service members and their families.

Hampton Roads Sailors and Marines received $8.7 million in loans and grants in 2016, said Joe Schnurbusch, deputy director of the Norfolk NMCRS.

"We benefit from events like this hockey game not only from proceeds, but also by coming out and providing information on how we can help Sailors, Marines, retirees, and widows," said Schnurbusch. "We are also trying to recruit volunteers because we are a volunteer service organization."

With NMRCS, all Sailors and Marines can walk away a winner. In the hockey game, however, there was only one. Lincoln skated away with the victory, 8-4.

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For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit http://www.navy.mil/.