R 281559Z MAR 12

ALCOAST 148/12
COMDTNOTE 5760
SUBJ: COAST GUARD MUTUAL ASSISTANCE (CGMA) CAMPAIGN
1. THE 2012 COAST GUARD MUTUAL ASSISTANCE (CGMA) FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
WILL RUN THROUGHOUT APRIL 2012.
2. THE THEME OF THIS YEARS CAMPAIGN IS (QUOTE) WITHIN REACH
(UNQUOTE). IT HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT EMERGENCY FINANCIAL HELP IS
WELL WITHIN REACH OF THOSE WHO NEED IT AND THAT CGMA PROVIDES A READY
AND TRUSTWORTHY WAY TO EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO FELLOW SHIPMATES.
3. I URGE ALL MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD FAMILY TO CONTRIBUTE TO
CGMA. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CARE FOR OUR SHIPMATES IN TIMES OF NEED
THROUGH YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS,  LAST YEAR, MORE THAN
6,000 LOANS AND GRANTS PROVIDED OVER 4.6 MILLION DOLLARS IN
INTEREST-FREE ASSISTANCE.  CGMA HAS BEEN SERVING COAST GUARD MEN AND
WOMEN IN THIS CAPACITY SINCE 1924.
4. CGMA RECEIVES NO FEDERAL FUNDS AND DOES NOT SOLICIT OUTSIDE THE
COAST GUARD COMMUNITY, DEPENDING SOLELY ON OUR OWN GENEROSITY AND
DESIRE TO HELP OUR FELLOW SHIPMATES.  WITHOUT THE ONGOING INFUSION OF
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, CGMA WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE
DEMAND FOR THIS CRITICAL SERVICE.
5. DURING THE CAMPAIGN, UNIT CGMA KEY WORKERS WILL CONTACT ACTIVE
DUTY AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.  SELECTED RESERVE, RETIRED MILITARY AND
COAST GUARD AUXILIARY MEMBERS WILL BE CONTACTED SEPARATELY BY DIRECT
MAIL.
6. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE TO CGMA CLIENTS, GO TO WWW.CGMAHQ.ORG.
7. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.