Message from the Chairman

As the Coast Guard’s own relief society, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) continues to provide outstanding support for financial needs of Coast Guardsmen. In 2011, CGMA distributed more than $4.6 million in direct financial assistance to over 6,000 shipmates and their families. Another $47,000 funded important programs and services, such as free certified financial counseling and homeowner crisis counseling, respite care, federal student loan fee reimbursements, and layettes for families with newborns.

The Board of Control is always searching better ways to provide financial support to the Coast Guard family. This year the Board approved a new loan to assist with closing costs for purchasing, refinancing or selling a home. The Board also added an education loan to help with expenses not covered by funds from other sources.

Your donations provided essential support to our assistance programs, greatly improving our economic position for the future. Total contributions last year were in excess of $2.3 million. Your contributions helped CGMA end the year with net assets higher than those of the previous year and in a strong position to meet future needs.

Thank you to all who were involved in making this a successful year:

CGMA Representatives and Assistant Representatives throughout the Coast Guard who do a superb job of helping us look out for our shipmates;

CGMA local campaign workers who were instrumental in a successful fundraising campaign;

The dedicated CGMA staff for their daily administration; and The Board of Control for its diligent oversight, mission focus, and continuing assessment on how to support the needs of our shipmates and their families.

Bravo Zulu! Keep up the great work.

Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chairman Coast Guard Mutual Assistance R. J. PAPP, JR.