Cooperative effort aided Marine in need

Kudos to the Bill Alexander Automotive Team, especially Everett and Mark, and to the volunteers of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, for their excellent care and generosity to a young Marine and his family.

Our young Marine had just graduated from boot camp in San Diego and was traveling with his father and fiancé back to Texas on leave when the father's car broke down near Yuma.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) assists Marines and Sailors with emergency financial assistance with funds that are donated by other Marines and sailors. There are guidelines in place to make sure those donated dollars are used appropriately.

Most often, helping repair someone else's vehicle is not within those guidelines. The original repair estimate was high, but upon discussion with NMCRS volunteers, the Alexander team was able to reduce the amount.

Before the repairs were completed, the team at Alexander realized the brakes on the vehicle were not safe. The Alexander team fixed the brakes at no cost to the Marine, his family or NMCRS.

Both the Marine and his family expressed gratitude for all the help they found in Yuma during their difficult time.

The Yuma office of NMCRS has only one paid staff member. When I am away from the office for business or vacation, the office is staffed by volunteers. They are empowered by the society to run the programs, make decisions and provide financial assistance. The case outlined above was completed during a week I was on vacation.

On behalf of all Marines, sailors their families, and the board of managers of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, I applaud and appreciate the outstanding work done by the fabulous volunteers of NMCRS and the awesome Alexander Ford team who worked together to get the family safely back on the road.

LORA L. O'HARA

Director, NMCRS Yuma