JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Money is tight for almost everyone these days.
From inflation, to the cost of food or even unexpected bills, living paycheck to paycheck doesn't leave much flexibility when tough times show up.
In this week's Stories of Service, the spotlight is on the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, a group that is there to lend more than just a helping hand to sailors in need.
"I think it's the highest honor I could personally ever have, is to follow in the footsteps of my parents and grandparents and wear the cloth of this nation," said retired Lt. Gen. Bob Ruark as he reminisced about a life of service.
Ruark served in the Marines for 36 years. Nowadays, he continues to serve as president & CEO of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
"We're the only military aid society out of the four of us that employs at 52 major bases," Ruark said.
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society operates at both Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport. Services are completely confidential for military members and their spouses and the offerings include grants, interest-free loans and even lessons on budgeting.
"Let's face it, a lot of sailors today may get a quick class in boot camp about it, but until you actually practice it, it can be difficult to make a budget and stick to it," said Ruark.
The organization also performs disaster relief, like when a typhoon hit Guam head-on in 2023, knocking out power and eliminating clean water on the island.
"During that time frame, our office was flooded out," Ruark said. "We set up operations in an open air environment and provided 3,100 people with $1.4 million in grants just to get by."
Back closer to home, nearly 2,500 sailors in Jacksonville at NAS JAX and Mayport received $2.8 million of assistance in 2023 through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
For Ruark, a life of service continues with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, now serving the families of men and women who could have served under him.
"I remember what they did for mostly young troops and families that are trying to get by on meager salaries and start families while they're deployed," said Ruark.
Here is contact information for the locations of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society on the First Coast:
NAS JAX
- Building 13, 13 Yorktown Ave.
- (904) 542-3515
Mayport
- 1 Massey Ave.
- (904) 270-5418
Kings Bay
- 926 USS James Madison Road, Kings Bay Base, Georgia.
- (912) 573-3928
If you have a Story of Service that you would like First Coast News to profile, send an email to storiesofservice@firstcoastnews.com.