Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
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| Motto | Serving the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard since 1924 |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1924 |
| Location |
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Key people | ADM Paul F. Zukunft, Chairman; RADM Cari B. Thomas, President; |
| Website | www.cgmahq.org |
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is a tax-exempt organization of United States Coast Guard people assisting the Coast Guard family, including active duty, retired military, Coast Guard civilian employees, Coast Guard Reserve, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Public Health Service officers serving with the Coast Guard, and surviving family members.[1] There are more than 400 CGMA Representatives at 97 shore units and 37 cutters based in 32 states and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. CGMA receives no federal funds, and relies on bequests and donations from Coast Guard people. Most assistance is provided through interest-free loans and personal grants. These include education assistance programs for members and their dependents, emergency travel, temporary living expenses, funeral expenses, loss of funds or property, disaster relief, medical and dental expenses, home studies expenses for adoptions, and debt management. There is also a Layette Program to welcome infants.[2] In 2014 CGMA made nearly 6,000 interest-free loans and grants totaling $3.25 million dollars.
Governance
CGMA is governed by a board of directors called the Board of Control (BOC). The officers of the corporation include the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, and the executive director of CGMA. The elected members of the BOC represent the constituencies served by CGMA Monthly meetings are held at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC, and members generally reside in the greater DC area.[3]
History
- 1924—The League of Coast Guard Women is founded
- 1941—Coast Guard Welfare is established and assumes the League's mission
- 1979—Name changes to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
- 1998—CGMA is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia
- 2005—CGMA distributes $3 million in direct aid to families affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma