Giving Tuesday spotlights critical support for service members facing unexpected crises

When Hurricane Helene hit Fort Eisenhower in Augusta in 2024, many of the 1,300 sailors and Marines stationed at the post were displaced. 

The nonprofit Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provided more than $600,000 in emergency aid, including temporary housing, essential needs, and home repairs.

Bob Ruark, the president and CEO of the nonprofit Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, said this is why Giving Tuesday matters because military members face unexpected crises both at home and abroad and need assistance.

“They don’t expect an awful lot,” said Ruark, “but when you can come through and help them in an emergency, particularly if they’re overseas, let’s say they’re in Japan, or Europe, or Bahrain, or Africa, or Australia, and they have an emergency situation, they’re looking at ‘how am I going to do this, and who’s going to help me fly home?'”

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is partnering with Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance to fundraise on Giving Tuesday and help service members in need.

“Military life presents a lot of unique challenges, particularly for the younger service members,” said Ruark. “You’ve got to deal with rising inflation, the chances for global conflict. No-notice deployments are, you know, happen a lot around today.”

The four organizations support more than 2.5 million service members, their families, and qualified retirees, according to the Public News Network. The organizations provide emergency relief, interest-free loans, grants, and educational assistance.

To donate or learn more about each organization, visit missiongive.us.