Guantanamo Bay Strives to Raise Funds, Awareness for Sailors and Marines

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leona Mynes

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- The Guantanamo Bay Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) has achieved 15.2 percent of its monetary fundraising goal as of April 18, while attempting to raise awareness of Sailors and Marines that they have financial services available to them.

With just under one month left to raise funds, NMCRS is planning a 'radio-a-thon' event which will give the Guantanamo community an opportunity to pledge money to NMCRS while hearing their favorite songs played on-air.

"NMCRS is a charity, and we work off of all non-appropriated funds," said Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Jonathan Murray, a volunteer case worker for NMCRS on Guantanamo. "All of our funding comes from other service members and civilians who donate their money."

When he was a junior Sailor, Murray did not understand NMCRS's impact on Sailors and Marines, however, now that he is an active volunteer, he said he understands the benefit of the program to eligible participants.

"Sailors and Marines should come see us before they go see any external lender," said Murray. "We're here for the service members and offer interest-free loans, whereas the external lenders are there to make a profit, sometimes with a 100 to 200 percent interest rate."

Murray added that NMCRS involvement does not negatively affect a Sailor or Marine's career and is a wonderful tool for Sailors and Marines.

During the past three months, Murray said he worked with several Sailors and Marines requesting financial support for emergency leave.

"We do everything for that person," said Murray. "We book their flight, pay for it, and set up an allotment for them to help them pay NMCRS back, taking the stress out of an already stressful situation."

In addition to helping financially with unexpected hardship, like emergency leave, errors in pay, natural disasters, and possible government shutdowns, NMCRS can help Sailors and Marines pay for utilities and bills they may otherwise be unable to pay.

"We also offer budgeting services for a member before giving them money so that they won't find themselves in that situation again," said Murray. "I want Sailors and Marines to use NMCRS's programs for an interest-free loan."