Bless the seafarers with Christmas gifts

WITH the help of our generous community, each December the Richards Bay Seafarers Mission delivers wrapped gifts and Christmas cheer to scores of seafarers who have come from all over the world into the Port of Richards Bay.

The general public, or companies, can help to bring joy to these seafarers who are far from their homes and loved ones, by supporting the mission’s Shoebox Christmas.

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‘This is an opportunity to spread the love and joy of Christmas to visiting seafarers who are far away from their loved ones, and to show our appreciation to them for all their hard work and sacrifices in keeping our global economy on the go,’ said Seafarers Chaplain Mark Classen.

‘You have the option of either sponsoring the cost of a wrapped shoebox, or contributing items that can help to fill a box.’

The standard items to be placed inside a normal adult-sized shoebox include: socks, comb, deodorant, disposable razors, body wash, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, pencil/pen/sharpener, beanie, face mask, postcard, Christmas card, a Christmas letter or drawing from a child, suntan lotion, dental floss, lip balm, long-life sweets/chocolates.

Shoeboxes can be wrapped, painted or decorated with pictures but the lid of the shoebox must be wrapped separately so the box can be opened for security purposes.

Boxes can be delivered to the Richards Bay Seafarers Mission, 11 Urania Road between 8am and 6pm Monday to Sunday.

Please kindly call before delivering to ensure someone is available to receive your donation.

Contact 082 7445554 or mark.classen@mtsmail.org

If you would like to support this cause but don’t have time to prepare a box, R200 will cover the cost of a wrapped shoebox gift and R300 supports the cost of a shoebox gift plus a 2Gb sim card to assist a seafarer connect with loved ones.

EFT your donation to: Standard Bank
Account No.: 637132483
Branch Code: 058030
Reference: Shoebox Christmas