Seamen’s Church Institute: Christmas at Sea for River Mariners Christmas Card Campaign
The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) is a voluntary, ecumenical agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church promoting the safety, dignity, and improved working environment for men and women serving in North American and International maritime workplaces.
SCI would like to invite you to participate in Christmas at Sea for River Mariners by promoting the making Christmas cards for mariners to your friends, families, and schools in your area. Cards made by children are particularly cherished by our mariners.
Last year, SCI Chaplains delivered over 8,000 Christmas gifts to mariners at work aboard towboats, harbor tugs, and dredges on the Mississippi River system and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterways. We do this as an expression of gratitude for all they do to make our modern way of life possible.
Packed by church and civic organizations, Christmas boxes contain donated knit and crocheted hats and scarves, handmade original Christmas cards, and other personal items.
Christmas cards provided by children can be made out of a variety of materials including construction paper. Aspiring young artists draw Christmas images and include seasonal messages using markers, crayons, or colored pencils. They are welcome to sign the cards (first names only) if they wish.
Please mail the cards to my attention at 1200 S. Acadian BR LA 70806 no later than December 1st. If you require art supplies, have questions, or would like additional information, I can be reached at Tel. 504.982.0072. Thank you for considering our service project.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Thomas L. Rhoades, Chaplain
Ministry on the River – Lower Mississippi, Gulf, and Houston Ship Channel