NAVAIR Depot JAX exceeds Navy Relief Fund Drive goal

By Daphne Burke, NAVAIR Depot JAX

PR1 Robert Colgan, aircrew survival equipmentman leading petty officer, recently received a Flag Letter of Commendation signed by Commander Navy Region Southeast, Rear Adm. Jan Gaudio, for his role as chairman of the Depot’s latest Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMRCS) Fund Drive. Every year, the goal for the NMCRS Fund Drive is 100 percent contact. This year the goal was again 100 percent contact along with the target dollar amount set at $650.

The military compliment at Naval Air Depot Jacksonville (NAVAIR Depot Jax) is just a few dozen, but the final count for fund drive donations demonstrated that even though the military population may lack in numbers, they exude generosity. The final count yielded a total of $2,358 in donations, that is 349 percent of the original goal.

The idea behind the fund drive is Sailors helping Sailors. According to the NMCRS web site, more than 3,000 trained volunteers, both ashore and aboard ships, accomplish the major portion of the Society's work. They are supported by a small cadre of employees. The Society, founded in 1904, enjoys an active partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps and benefits extensively from the active involvement of the command structure at the bases where the Society maintains a presence. The commanders themselves, as well the senior enlisted leadership, chaplains, and family service center personnel, play an important role in the conduct of the Society's business.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of NMRCS. As stated in Colgan’s commendation, “His inspirational leadership and total involvement were instrumental in achieving 349 percent of the command’s goal. Petty Officer Colgan’s exceptional professional ability, personal initiative, and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” Colgan’s exceptional work on the fund drive will benefit Sailors and Marines around the world, a notable demonstration of the power of individual generosity and compassion for others.

– USN –

Photo by: Amy Cheshire, NAVAIR Depot Jax Public Affairs Specialist

Photo Caption: PR1 Robert Colgan, NAVAIR Depot Jax Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Leading Petty Officer.