Calling for Christmas gifts for seafarers

This year, Christmas at Sea, may be even more appreciated as COVID-19 has kept many ships’ crews onboard for much longer than they expected.
Christmas at Sea is part of the Seafarers program at the port in Point Comfort.
Last year, about 40 organizations, churches, scouting groups, schools, families and more donated 926 gifts to be delivered to ships.
In Point Comfort, 517 gifts went onboard 31 vessels with crews from 20 counties. Gifts also were distributed in the Port of Victoria, Corpus Christi and Port Arthur. All of the gifts donated reached seafarers during the holidays.
Delivery will begin after Thanksgiving this year and continue until all packages are delivered.
Gifts for crewmembers should be packed in standard-size shoeboxes or a drawstring ditty bag (about 12 by 15 inches). Monetary donations also can be accepted.
Items to put in the boxes include personal hygiene products, lip balm and lotion, crew socks, hand towels and washcloths, picture postcards, crew socks, gum and other snacks, flashlights with batteries, sunglasses, and more. After a box is filled, it should be wrapped securely in Christmas paper. The group requests men’s items, as there are very few women onboard the ships.
Completed packages can be dropped off at the Diocese of Victoria Chancery, 1505 E. Mesquite in Victoria, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, 415 W. Austin St. in Port Lavaca, Russell Cain Real Estate, 2025 State Hwy. 36 in Port Lavaca, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 300 3rd St. in Palacios, or Mike’s on Main Café, 458 Main St. in Palacios.
For more information, contact Rhonda at stellamaris@olgulf.org.


Complete list of items needed for seafarers:
Shampoo
Body wash
Deodorant
Tissues
Cotton swabs
Lip balm
Lotion
Powder
Shaving cream
Razors
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Nail clippers
Wet wipes
Texas souvenirs
Hand towels
Washcloths
Crew socks
T-shirts (med or large)
Ski or ball caps
Small games
Gloves
Picture postcards
Sewing kits
Ink pens
Playing cards
Candies
Nuts
Trail Mix
Chewing gum
Microwave popcorn
Cheap sunglasses
Flashlights with batteries
Earbuds
Refrigerator magnets
Hairbrushes and combs
Bandages
Personal notes or cards