Brighten Christmas for a Seafarer Far from Home!
Your gifts are critical to the Houston International Seafarers ministry! This is one of the few bright spots in the lives of seafarers calling on the Port of Houston in December, and provides them a tangible expression of care. Chaplains deliver around 8,000 Christmas boxes each year to seafarers far from family and home over Christmas.
Pack items from the list below in a plastic shoebox, wrap according to the instructions, and return to MDPC by Sun, Dec 22.
Instructions:
- Use a plastic shoe-sized box so that it can be repurposed by the recipient.
- Be sure your gift box contains AT LEAST all of the items listed below, then fill the box to the brim!
- There are very few women onboard the ships. Please pack the gift boxes primarily for male seafarers.
- Pack only new, unopened items.
- Full-sized items preferred to travel-sized items.
- Add a personal note or card to make each box a special, one-of-a-kind gift.
- Avoid items that will melt or break, and pack batteries separately from the items they are powering.
- Wrap securely as one unit, please DO NOT wrap lids and boxes separately.
- Wrap in Christmas paper. No ribbons or bows. Thank you!
Box Items:
- Mini-First Aid Kit
- Deodorant
- Socks
- Work gloves (S, M, L)
- Small Texas souvenirs (magnets, key chains, etc.)
- Small whistle
- Devotionals (Daily Bread, Upper Room, etc.)
- Playing cards
- Small flashlight
- Insulated tumblers
- Razors
- Shaving cream
- T-shirts (S,M, L)
- Small sewing kit
- Instant coffee
- Hot chocolate
- Ballpoint pens
- Suggested EXTRAS to Fill Box: USB Flash Drive, Gum/Candy, Snacks, Word-Searches/Sudokus