Message from the Chairman

The Coast Guard’s own relief society, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA), continues to prove its worth as a valuable resource for meeting the financial needs of our shipmates. As Hurricane Sandy beseiged the eastern seaboard in October, CGMA was poised to assist Coast Guard families , providing over $118,000 in loans and grants to those who were affected. Overall in 2012, CGMA distributed more than $4.27 million in direct financial assistance to over 5,900 Coast Guard individuals and their families. Another $53,800 funded important programs and services.

The CGMA Board of Control continued looking for new and better ways to assist Coast Guard families. In January the Board established a new adoption loan program and in November it added an adoption grant.

Special thanks go out to the steady, faithful donors throughout the Coast Guard community whose contributions are the lifeblood of CGMA. Also this year I note with gratitude a record $500,000 gift from the estate of the l ate CAPT Joseph P. Martin, USCG. Another check for over $17,000 came in from a charitable trust established by Dorothy M. Thayer, sister of the late RADM Louis M. Thayer, USCG. These legacy donations are a testament to the values of the Coast Guard men a nd women who take pride in their service and are eager to support their shipmates. All together, contributions in 2012 exceeded $2.6 million.

These, along with healthy growth in the investment portfolio helped CGMA end the year with net assets of $23 million and in a very good position to meet future needs.

All of this points to a successful year, and I want to express my sincere appreciation to all who were involved to make it so. My thanks to the CGMA Representatives and Assistant Representatives throughout the Coast Guard who do a superb job of helping us “look after our own.” Thanks to the local campaign workers who were instrumental in a successful fundraising campaign. Thanks also to the dedicated staff at CGMA Headquarters for their day-to -day administration, and to the Board of Control for its diligent oversight, mission focus, and continuing assessment of the needs our shipmates and their families.

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