NAVAL BASE GUAM (March 29, 2022) – For 118 years, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) has provided assistance to all ranks of active duty Sailors and Marines, retirees, widows and eligible family members. Over the years, NMCRS has evolved with 187 locations on military installations throughout the United States and nine offices overseas, including U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG).
“We ask that service members give us a call to find out how we can help them,” said NMCRS Guam Director Karen Fahland. “Use us as a first resource and not a last resort.”
NMCRS was first established in 1904, when a group of naval officers and their spouses recognized the need for medical and pay assistance for the troops. Throughout World War I, military pay days were often delayed and the society began the interest-free loan program to help alleviate some of the financial burdens.
NMCRS has evolved into a support system of resources beyond medical and pay assistance and includes services such as free in-home visits, telehealth visits, and classes by the Visiting Nurse for eligible NMCRS clients, grants and interest-free loans for eligible children and spouses of active duty, retired or deceased Sailors and Marines for post-secondary education, Budget for Baby Workshops to help expecting parents prepare for the financial impact of a new family member, and the NMCRS Thrift Shop.
Active Duty Fund Drive
NMCRS is a non-profit organization that exists solely on monetary donations. Each year the NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive is an opportunity for active duty Sailors and Marines to give back to the Society by making monetary contributions to the organization. The funds are returned to assisting service members in their time of need.
“Annually NMCRS assists tens of thousands of Sailors and Marines with millions of dollars in interest-free loans and outright grants, however, delayed loan repayments and grant conversions result in shortfalls,” Fahland said. “The Active Duty Fund Drive is crucial because NMCRS experiences a shortfall each year which is not sustainable over the long term. Gifts to the Active Duty Fund Drive support the development and implementation of key programs and services.”
Active Duty service members can contribute via cash or credit card allotment or lump sum by contacting their local command representative.
For all others interested in donating, contact the NMCRS Guam office or donate online using the fund drive page at https://support.nmcrs.org/a/homepage
“NMCRS can be a lifeline for many clients who have nowhere else to turn … it is an amazing feeling to be able to help someone during a dark hour in their life and that is exactly what we do,” Fahland said. “Our office prides itself on their customer service and helping clients find their way through their financial difficulties.”
To contact NMCRS Guam, call (671) 564-1879 or (671) 339-6472. NMCRS may also be reached after hours at (671) 727-5559 or via email at guam@nmcrs.org
NMCRS Guam is located at 37 Hibiscus Drive onboard NBG, across from McCool Elementary/Middle School.