When young Coast Guardsmen find themselves under water financially, there is a way up and out.

YN2 Gerard Lopez joined the Coast Guard just 4 months out of high school. Things were going well until his car began to fall apart. “The car started to have issues and I found myself trying to fix this part, and then this part, and this part would go out, and I just couldn’t catch up,” he remembers.

Petty Officer Lopez went to his chief who told him about the help available through Mutual Assistance. “I thought it was going to be detrimental to my career, but it wasn’t. I was actually welcomed with open arms,” YN2 Lopez said. In addition to a CGMA grant for the car repair, Gerard also received the financial training needed to set him up for success in the future.

“Everyone needs help sometimes, and CGMA is a great resource,” shares YN2 Lopez. Thanks to the generous support of donors like you, help is available when Coast Guardsmen need it most.

When young Coast Guardsmen find themselves under water financially, there is a way up and out. When you leave a legacy gift, you are supporting shipmates when they’re vulnerable and getting them to steady ground.

As a young seaman, YN2 Lopez received timely help for his car repair. In 2021, donors like you helped 178 members with over $362,000 for vehicle repair alone. When money is tight a car repair can be a major financial setback. Through Mutual Assistance, YOU can hold a safety net for shipmates.