Posted on 09/19/2005 4:41:15 PM PDT by SandRat
GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- The Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport office of the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is providing financial assistance to military victims of Hurricane Katrina here.
Just two days after Hurricane Katrina destroyed large sections of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Gulfport's NMCRS was helping military personnel and their family members secure emergency funds through interest-free loans.
As of Sept. 14, NMCRS worldwide had assisted 3,574 victims; 1,701 of whom were seen at the Gulfport office. More than $1.3 million in loans have been awarded so far, with more than $400,000 of that amount going to Gulfport.
“To put that in perspective, last year we did $551,000 in assistance out of the Gulfport office,” said Chuck Ingraham, NMCRS director. “In two weeks, we have done almost what we did in one year.”
The majority of people seeking assistance are active-duty Navy personnel. Military retirees as well as some active-duty Army, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel also have sought assistance, Ingraham said.
All active-duty and retired military personnel, as well as their eligible family members, are entitled to inquire about assistance, and there is no deadline for when people can ask for Hurricane Katrina assistance.
The relief society provides interest-free loans based on individual circumstances to help people cope until money comes in from the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Salvation Army, Ingraham said. Although the money initially is awarded as a loan, during the coming months the relief society will review each case to determine if all or a portion of the funds can be converted into a grant, he added.
The relief society can provide an initial $500 interest-free loan to each qualified family that applies.
The relief society also is able to help military personnel obtain essential items they may need to buy but are unable to obtain from other sources. “We’re not going to buy a whole room full of furniture, but we’re not going to let you sleep on the floor, either,” Ingraham said. “If you have a need, come see us; we’ll be very liberal about how we can help.”
Although the office is continuing to assist people seven days a week, the numbers are starting to fall slightly, Ingraham said.
“I see us moving now from assisting with the initial shock to providing help with auto repairs or insurance deductibles that FEMA doesn’t cover,” Ingraham said. The loans also can be used to assist people needing to pay utility deposits and their first month’s rent, Ingraham added.
Initially, the relief society operated from Warehouse 20 on base. Alice Huffman, NMCRS’s office manager, arrived Aug. 31 to assess the situation and helped 122 people receive assistance the first day. With the assistance of volunteer Pauline Mino, a total of 172 people received loans the second day. Both the base’s Navy Exchange and Personnel Support Detachment assisted by cashing as many of the checks as possible.
The relief society operated in the warehouse for one week before returning to its permanent offices located in the base’s Fleet and Family Support Center.
“Alice and I [served during Hurricane] Ivan in Pensacola, Fla., so we had some idea what this would be about,” Ingraham said.
Ingraham and his staff of 20 permanent and volunteer personnel have seen a variety of emotions affecting their clientele.
“Some are dazed; some are resigned; some are very pleased to be alive,” Ingraham said. “We’ve heard some harrowing stories,” he added.
Volunteers from Naval Mobile Construction Battalions 7 and 133, as well as military spouses and Department of Defense civilians, have assisted relief society staff in processing loan applications and checks.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Wash., and Naval Station San Diego also sent support staff to assist with the loan application process.
Having a strong group of volunteers in place has been instrumental not only in helping with the recovery process but also in coping with the changes seen across base, Ingraham said.
Founded in 1904, NMCRS is a private, nonprofit charitable organization. Sponsored by the Department of the Navy, the relief society operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases worldwide.
To learn more about the relief society or to make a contribution, visit www.nmcrs.org.
ping
Hey, another MS article. You're GOOD!
But, but, but... Cindy Shehan, Howard Dean and the rest of the Stalinist Drama Queens want these "occupying troops" out (after screaming they were not there instantly).
Founded in 1904, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a private non-profit charitable organization. It is sponsored by the Department of the Navy and operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the world.
Seabee Bump
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