Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), kicked-off the 2016 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) active-duty fund drive, March 5, with a check presentation and cake-cutting ceremony.

Since 1904 the society's mission has been to provide financial, educational, and other assistance to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps members, eligible family members, and survivors when in need.

Commanding Officer Capt. Larry Getz gave the opening remarks where he thanked the department representatives for taking an active role in the drive and spoke of the importance of NMCRS.

"This drive is great because it is Sailors helping Sailors," said Getz. "Last year we surpassed our goal and donated about $21,000, and although this year our goal is $30,000, I think we will make our goal again. Thank you for being a part of all of this."

According to the NMCRS website, last year's drive raised approximately $58.6 million and distributed out around $68.3 million, forcing NMCRS to tap into reserve monies to cover the difference.

"This is such an important fund because it is Sailors and Marines helping Sailors and Marines," said Chief Logistics Specialist Daniel Rodriguez, the NMCRS command coordinator. "The money raised for this fund does not disappear, it goes right back to our fellow shipmates in emergency situations."

During the ceremony, Getz and Command Master Chief David Twiford presented a check for $2,500 to NMCRS, donated by the First Class Petty Officer's Association.

"We've got a great Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society team on board that's standing by to provide assistance at all times," said Twiford. "They do wonderful things for Sailors and Marines, and anything we can do for them, Kearsarge is on board. I've used Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society before and I encourage Sailors to use it."

The 2016 NMCRS fund drive is scheduled to run through March 31. The theme for this year's fund drive is "By Our Own, For Our Own" with a goal of educating every Sailor and Marine about the services provided by NMCRS.

Sailors and Marines that would like to donate to NMCRS can do so by allotment, credit and debit cards, personal checks or cash donations.

For more information about the NMCRS active-duty fund drive visit their web page at http://www.nmcrsfunddrive.org or contact your local NMCRS representative.

Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.


For more news from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), visit www.navy.mil/.