Sharing gifts during the holidays
Christmas at Sea
Our 2022 Christmas at Sea has ended. We delivered the last of our gifts on January 14, 2023. In total, we gave away 1066 gifts due to the amazing generosity of our supporters. Never fear, we plan on repeating the program in 2023. This page will be updated in again in the fall. If you need information before then, please contact us.
We thank all the individuals and groups that have made this year our biggest Christmas yet. We also thank the North American Maritime Ministry Association, International Christian Maritime Association, and the ITF Seafarers Trust for the Christmas grant money that has allowed us to add some SIM cards to the packages and purchase basketballs to give to ships with hoops.
As the holiday season is coming soon, please consider
helping with our Christmas at Sea program at the port in Point Comfort.
Your gifts can brighten the life and
console a seafarer far away from their family. While these
gifts are not fancy or expensive, they are so important to
those who receive them. They remind the seafarers that someone cares about them. The seafarers are amazed that strangers make these gifts for them and really appreciate this show of support. It is common for the ship's captain to hold all of the gifts until Christmas Day. Then, even if the ship
is in the middle of the ocean on Christmas, each person receives a gift.
Starting
the week after Thanksgiving, our volunteers will deliver gifts to all the ships
and many of the towboats that visit our port. On average, a ship will have a crew of 23 and the inland vessels have 4 crew. We will need at least 700 gifts to bring smiles to at least 22 nationalities.
Many groups and individuals pack shoe boxes and wrap them in colorful paper. We ask that you use "normal" size shoe boxes -- please avoid extra large boxes such as boot boxes and very small boxes from children's shoes. Some people use the plastic shoe-sized boxes. All work well and we have had no complaints. In fact, several of the guys have mentioned needing something like a sewing kit or an envelope and they said "hey wait, I think I have one of those in my Christmas box."
We have plenty of gifts for this Christmas season. Thank you to all who donated.
What do you pack in your gift? We recommend a variety of items that they can use and enjoy. We have found that many of the crews are like large families and trade items with each other. No doubt they play a version of the white elephant gift game and pass many items around the room. Our attached list does not cover every possible item that you can shop for but it should get you thinking. Remember, you have a limited container size to fill. Pick and choose items you might like to receive or might need while away on a long trip from home.
Other people, especially quilting ladies, like to make cloth ditty bags with drawstrings. These bags are easy to sew and make an extra gift for the seafarers. Most ditty bags measure roughly 15 inches long by 12 inches wide. They can be made with one drawstring or two. Some groups have even purchased the drawstring backpacks at stores like Dollar Tree and used those. We are not picky. However you wish to pack, your gift will be appreciated by the seafarer who receives it. We do ask that you try to make gifts of approximately equal value.
NOTE: 98% of the seafarers who visit our port are male. While it is a nice idea for groups wanting to tailor gifts for women, it is not needed. When we know a woman is onboard, we specially make a gift to deliver to her. Last year, we had only had 3 female seafarers out of the 720+ visitors in port. PLEASE pack your gifts for men.
Once your gifts are ready, please drop them off at one of our cooperating partners between November 1 and December 16, 2022. If you need more options, contact us. PLEASE note: we are no longer accepting Christmas gifts for 2022. If you still wish to help in some way, consider making a donation to our building fund. Click Donate today
2022 Drop-off locations -- no longer accepting packages for this year.
Diocese of Victoria Chancery, 1505 E. Mesquite Lane, Victoria
Holy Family Catholic Church, 704 Mallette Drive, Victoria
Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, 415 W. Austin Street, Port Lavaca
Russell Cain Real Estate, 2025 TX - 35, Port Lavaca
Mike's on Main Cafe, 458 Main Street, Palacios
City by the Sea Museum, 401 Commerce Street, Palacios
St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 512 Tegner Street, El Campo
Packard Law Center, 523 N. Main Street, Schulenburg