Fill a Shoebox and Delight a Seafarer

In keeping with our motto, the village church with a global mission, Christ the King Lutheran Church is collecting shoeboxes filled with gifts to give to seafarers who visit the Port of Houston during the holiday season. The gifts will be distributed by the Seafarers’ Ministry, which is comprised of Episcopal, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran chaplains. Crew sizes vary between 8 and 30, with an average number of 22 seafarers to gift per ship. Last year 11,225 gifts were given to seafarers on board 483 ships. The seafarers came from 61 different countries.

We encourage families to fill a shoebox FULL with items such as: combs, soap, shaving cream, disposable razors, lip balm, toothbrushes and toothpaste, pads, pens, pencils, puzzles, envelopes, needles and thread, deodorant, heavy socks (no ankle socks), shoelaces, work gloves, knit caps, flashlights, calendars, bottle openers, nail clippers, aspirin, band-aids, key chains, small photo albums, Texas souvenirs, playing cards, magazines, hard candy (no chocolate), or something fun. (These are items we take for granted but they are appreciated tremendously by the seafarers. There are very few women on the ships. Please pack boxes primarily for men).

Please bring your filled shoebox to church by Sunday, December 13. The Luther League will wrap the gifts for the Christmas holiday and deliver them to the port.

Last updated: 2009-12-08