Christmas At Sea

This Christmas many will be surrounded by family and friends, at home and in church. At the same time, Christmas for most seafarers will be in the middle of the ocean with neither family nor, friends, home nor church. Covid-19 has even further complicated the situation for seafarers and their time away from home. Albany Maritime Ministry’s “Christmas-at-Sea” and Hospitality programs place an assortment of small items in a wrapped package aboard ships for distribution among seafarers away at sea and far from home.

We’re asking you to help gather a few gifts for our port volunteers to bring to the sea-farers before their ships head for oceans far and wide over the Christmas holiday? Even though the crew is confined to their ships, we can deliver some Christmas joy to them.

Here’s how easy it is to help:

Find a shoebox (or a small reusable plastic bin with lid), gather some items together, place them in the shoebox and wrap it. We will include a card and a Christmas message from the Seafarer’s Center and “friends from NY Capital area”.

• Something local to Albany or NY: an “I❤NY” trinket, a postcard, neat photograph you’ve taken.
• Warm clothing: knit cap or gloves, work gloves, warm socks, sweatshirt (M, L, or XL)
• Writing paper, envelopes, pencils, pens
• Books, puzzles, word search / sudoku
• Toiletries: razor/shaving cream/aftershave, toothbrush/toothpaste/floss, deodorant/fragrant soap (like Irish Spring®), brush or comb, lotion
• “AA”/”AAA” batteries
• NO CANDY, PLEASE

Open House - Sunday, December 1, 1-3 PM

Bring your gifts to the William G. Hempel Seafarers' Center at the Port of Albany between 1 and 3 pm on Sunday, December 1. Our chaplains and volunteers will be there to welcome you, show you what this ministry is all about, and receive your gifts.

Can't make the open house?

Beginning November 6, deliver your gifts to the Albany Port District Commission Office (106 Smith Blvd) or to Unity Lutheran Church, 1500 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203 or call 518-464-2648 or 518-285-0441 to make other arrangements.

Gifts are welcome and accepted throughout the holiday season, including into January. We give gifts to seafarers until we run out!

Please contact us with questions.

Craftwork ideas

Looking for a kint, croschet, or needlework project for the Christmas at Sea program? Seaman's Church Institute and Seafarers International House, NYC, have patterns and ideas.