MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT/EASTERN RECRUITING REGION PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- -- Altruistic Marines and sailors can start lending a hand to struggling comrades this holiday season with the continuation of a Depot program.
The annual Holiday Meal Help Program is designed to provide extra assistance to families of Marines and sailors who are having a hard time making ends meet.
Individuals can nominate a family they believe to have a genuine need for assistance by filling out a nomination form and turning it in to their sergeant major or command master chief. The definition of a "genuine need" is quite broad.
"It's hard to make a definite answer," said Chief David Brock, Religious Ministries Center leading chief petty officer. "A genuine need is any Marine or sailor who finds another Marine or sailor's family needing extra support."
Though once food items were given directly to the families, now certificates redeemable at the commissary are handed out to reduce waste from perishable items. The certificates can be used to purchase anything at the commissary.
Marines and sailors who wish to make a nomination can pick up a form from their sergeants' major, command master chiefs' or chaplains' office. Every effort will be made to protect the confidentiality of individuals participating in the program. Those who nominate another may also do so anonymously. Nominations will have no impact on an individual's performance evaluation.
Donations will be passed to a dedicated Marine Corps Community Services account until paid to the commissary for the certificates. The total amount of donations will determine how much a family receives. Thus, the more people give, the more each family can benefit.
The certificates make it easier for struggling families to celebrate the holiday season. Many groups joined together for the Holiday Meal Help Program to be successful.
"There are enough good people who actually care about our devil dogs and shipmates," said Brock. "Everyone's always given very well."
Individuals wishing to make a nomination for the program should talk to their command master chief or sergeant major.