Every year, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) hosts a fund drive designed to raise money for NMCRS programs and support services that financially assist Sailors, Marines and their families.

The Kings Bay NMCRS began its annual Active Duty Fund Drive Feb. 27 with a "Dodge for the Drive" dodgeball tournament. The tournament is just one of many scheduled events to take place as a way to raise money for the drive. The money raised from the fund drive is used by the NMCRS to give back to Sailors, Marines and their families.

"The Active Duty Fund Drive is a 'by our own, for our own' fundraiser, and 100 percent of the money donated during the fund drive goes right back to Sailors, Marines and their eligible family members," said Charon Whiteman, director of the Kings Bay NMCRS. "Our goal is 100 percent meaningful contact with Sailors and Marines so they know about all of the programs and services we offer.

She said the secondary goal is fundraising to help supplement the programs and services.

Marine Capt. David Hawkins, Kings Bay NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive coordinator, said the biggest thing Sailors and Marines get out of the fund drive is awareness about what the NMCRS offers.

"We provide financial assistance when somebody finds themselves in need; whether it's car repairs, a high dental co-pay, utilities shut off or emergency leave. The funds from the fund raiser are for that reason," Whiteman said. "If we didn't have the contributions, we couldn't continue to support our Sailors and Marines in need."

In 2014, the Kings Bay NMCRS assisted 859 individual clients with a total of $401,000 spent amongst them. Society-wide, more than 80,000 Sailors and Marines required assistance, and $49.8 million of NMCRS funds were used.

"The NMCRS does not receive federal money or tax-payer money," Hawkins said. "All what is given to them from donations is what's given out to Sailors and Marines in need. So in order to perpetuate the resource, we have to continue to donate."

Last year, the Kings Bay NMCRS acquired $76,177 during the Active Duty Fund Drive. Whiteman said the goal for this year is to raise more than $100,000.

For more information regarding the Kings Bay NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive, contact Marine Capt. David Hawkins at 912-573-4452 or david.hawkins@swflant.navy.mil.

Make a difference today, and donate at http://nmcrsfunddrive.org/kingsbay/

For more news from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., visit www.navy.mil/.