Sailors stationed in Navy Region Singapore officially kicked off the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) 2016 Active Duty Fund Drive March 1.

The NMCRS is a nonprofit organization that offers interest-free loans and grants for emergencies and tuition assistance for service members and their families. The fund drive brings awareness to the importance of NMCRS's mission and provides an avenue for individuals to support the cause through financial donation or volunteer service.

The active duty fund drive has two primary purposes: to increase awareness of the programs and services available to active duty Sailors and Marines, and to raise funds to support the programs and services offered by the NMCRS.

Last year, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society distributed more than $68.3 million in emergency funds and quick response loans to service members, retirees and families.

Navy Counselor 1st Class Rhonda Aubert, chair of this year's fund drive committee, said "Donations are the lifeblood that enables NMCRS to assist service members and their families.

A lot of Sailors have the misconception that the NMCRS doesn't support them here in Singapore," Aubert said. "That couldn't be any further from the truth. NMCRS supplied personnel in Navy Region Singapore with more than $9,000 in interest free loans last year alone."

One of the more widely used services NMCRS provides Sailors stationed in Singapore is the Gap Loan, a loan designed to help Sailors with the expensive costs of finding housing out on town. The NMCRS also provides a host of other financial oriented services for service members and their families.

*Education Assistance - interest-free loans and grants for undergraduate/post-secondary education at an accredited two- or four-year college

*Health Education and Post-Combat Support - provide support through traditional Visiting Nurse Program and Combat Casualty Assistance (CCA) Visiting Nurse Program.

*Budget for Baby - learning what expenses you should plan for and how to make wise financial decisions.

*Emergency Travel - interest-free loans for travelling costs to be with a sick or dying loved one.

"I have been a part of NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drives throughout my career," said Aubert. "This is an organization that is funded through our donations and takes care of us and our families when we need help the most. At its core, this is shipmates helping shipmates.

For more news from Commander, Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/.