MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Over 1,300 Marines and sailors with 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division participated in a three-mile charity run to support the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
Each person with the artillery regiment donated a minimum of five dollars to join the run, raising over $6,000.
“Every battery with 10th Marines has deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom,” said Lt. Col. Terence Brennan, the executive officer of the regiment. “All of us saw the benefits of what Navy Relief does and decided to give back to them dollar for dollar.”
Brennan said the regiment was scheduled to have a formation run the same day as the Navy Relief run, so it was a good opportunity for the Marines and sailors to show their support.
“This was a way for us to support Navy-Marine Corps Relief for what they’ve given us and our families while we were deployed,” Brennan said.
The regiment chose to support this cause because of the diversity of their support services.
“When Marines and sailors give to the society, its like giving money to every Marine, sailor and their families,” he said. “All personnel benefit from it, so we are helping our own when ever they’re having a hard time.”
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, staffed by mostly volunteer workers, was founded in January 1904 to provide financial counseling/education and financial assistance for basic living needs, emergency travel, and other needs that cannot be met through the service members resources.
The regiment understood the importance of this support and took it upon themselves to help out by giving back to the society.
Virginia Schopfel, the director of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at Camp Lejeune, said 10th Marine Regiment has set the standard for other commands to follow.
“In all the years we’ve had events like this, we’ve never had an entire regiment come out and support us,” Schopfel said. “Anytime we have a big push like this, it helps out the Marines and sailors tremendously. I’m very impressed with 10th Marines’ support.”
Such support can be given through small sacrifices, Brennan said.
“By sacrificing just one soda a week, we could help so many people,” he explained. “Navy-Marine Corps Relief is essential in helping a family back home get through their hardships. A lot of the regiment has been helped out by them. Their stories are what make this worth it to all our Marines and sailors.”
The regiment presented the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society with a check for $6,155 to allow them to continue their support for those who fight for their country and for freedom.
“This comes from the hearts of the men and women in uniform,” Brennan said. “This money was raised by the Marines and sailors for the Marines and sailors. I think that’s what makes this so special.”