An audience of expeditionary forces attended a Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Active Duty Fund drive kick-off event at Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) in Virginia Beach, Feb. 29.

NECC Force Master Chief Lance Kitchens provided an update on the services NMCRS provides, other than loans and grants, for Sailors, Marines and their families.

Kitchens also reminded attendees that this drive directly helps Sailors and Marines that may need financial assistance.

"On March 1 we kicked off this year's Active Duty Fund Drive in support of Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society," said Kitchens. "This March, you will have a direct opportunity to help fellow Shipmates; By Our Own, For Our Own."

Additionally, Kitchens added that "NMCRS also offers free in-home visits by registered nurses to provide health education and resource information concerning any medical condition, illness or injury with special programs for our combat wounded Sailors and Marines, as well as visits to parents of newborns."

Christina Murray, director, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, attended the briefing.

"The kick off event held at NECC was a great way to leap into the 2016 Active Duty Fund Drive in support of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society," said Murray. "Without events such as this Sailors and Marines would not know how important their donated dollars are in order to keep the fund available for those in need."

Since 1904, the mission of NMCRS has been to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the naval services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need. NMCRS provides need-based financial assistance to eligible recipients in the form of interest-free loans and grants, as well as scholarships and interest-free loans for education.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command , visit http://www.navy.mil/.