The Ministry to Seafarers (M2S)

Christmas Parcels

Each year, M2S runs a Christmas Parcel Drive in the hope of giving each seafarer who visits the Port of Montreal during the month of December a small gift as a token of the love of God, and a means of celebrating with them God's greatest gift, Jesus Christ.
Looking for the Classis Quinte/401 Corridor Pick-up schedule?
NOTE TO ALL GROUP PARTICIPANTS: Please complete and include the Collection Sheet in your shipment.

Drop-Off Locations

Westbrook Floral: 4994 North Service Road, Beamsville ON: Monday, NOV 8 from 9 AM-3 PM and Monday, NOV 22 from 9 AM to 3 PM at dock 9A.

Ontario Flower Growers: 910 Mid-Way Blvd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1T9: From NOV 1-26 at the main entrance door between 9 AM and 1 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Maranatha CRC, Bowmanville: By November 15th. Contact Sylvia for details.

Guidelines for Making Parcels

To ensure that parcels are of similar value, we ask that you follow the following guidelines as closely as possible:

  1. Fill a bag (about 12" W x 15" H) completely. It is better to have a small full bag than a half empty big bag. Use the rule of 4 categories: toiletries, warm clothing, snacks and a play/leisure/special item.
  2. Enclose a Christmas card with a personal note and your name (and email address if you’re comfortable doing so). Some of those who receive these gifts like to acknowledge them.
  3. Parcel contents DOs: Do enclose new items in their original packaging from these four categories: 
    • TOILETRIES: Ex. toothbrush/toothpaste, razor/shaving cream, soap/shampoo, cologne/aftershave, face cloth (not white)
    • WARM CLOTHING: Ex. toque, gloves, socks, scarf
    • SNACKS: Ex. candy, chocolate, nuts, Boy Bawang
    • PLAY/LEISURE/GIFT: Ex. calendar, "Bicycle" playing cards, Canada souvenir such as a magnet or keychain, Sudoku, travel cribbage/peg board, compass
    • Pandemic-friendly items such as a face mask or small bottle of hand sanitizer are acceptable as well. 
  4. Parcel contents DON'Ts: Don't include heavily scented items such as Irish Spring soap, office supplies, cleaning supplies/products, used items or unpackaged items such as a toothbrush or loose candy.

Thank you for preparing this parcel like you were giving it as a gift to someone you personally know and love. 
Note: Normally dollar stores carry Christmas-themed bags and these are suitable for our purposes.

If you'd like to sew a bag, please use the guidelines in the How to Make a Drawstring bag video. While we have no affiliation with the person who made this video, it's perfect for our context and will help ensure that all bags are the same size. The only change we suggest is beginning with a piece of fabric that measures 14" x 32" in order to end up with a finished product of 12" x 15".

We also have a limited number of bags for sale. You can place your order here. The invoice will arrive with the order and can be paid by cheque or PayPal.
Order bags
Pay for bags
A Word About Women Seafarers
There are very few women in the shipping industry. We rarely need to give women's parcels, and when we do, M2S has a small budget to make such parcels as needed. Therefore, we ask that you please do not send any parcels for women.

Virtual Parcels

You can make a donation towards our Christmas Parcel campaign and in return, we will shop, pack and deliver your parcel. (A donation of $25 equals one gift.) Be sure to include a personal message to the seafarer so we can add your note to the gift as well.

From the Donate page, select Challenge '21: Pack a virtual Christmas parcel from the drop-down list.

Due Date

We accept parcels all the way through December. The earlier the better - we start handing out parcels the last week of November (for those ships we know will be out to sea over Christmas.) However, we give out parcels sometimes into the first week of January (for the ships we missed who were out to sea over Christmas.)

Mailing Parcels

You can drop off parcels at our centre in the Old Port of Montreal from Mon-Fri (12-6 PM) or you can send them by courrier/regular mail. If you do come by the office, please wear a mask. You will also need to check-in electronically upon arrival for contact tracing purposes, if necessary.

When sending the parcels by delivery service, address box(es) to:
Mariners' House/The Ministry to Seafarers
Grand Quai de Montréal
200 rue de la Commune Ouest
Montreal QC H2Y 4B2
514-849-3234

When sending by Canada Post:
The Ministry to Seafarers of the CRC
PO Box 128, Place D’Armes
Montreal, QC H2Y 3E9
514-849-3234
Christmas parcel bag craft
Christmas parcel bag craft
Classis Quinte
Seafarer thanks
ITF-funded gifts
Christmas parcels in the break room
Christmas parcel drop-off from donors
Donated parcels

Resources

Poster with space to add your own details:
Download Poster #1
DOWNLOAD POSTER #2
PowerPoint
Hand-out/Bulletin Insert/Flyer (2 pages):
BULLETIN INSERT
What to pack

Videos

Classis Quinte / 401 Corridor Pick-Up Schedule

The pick-up schedule for Classis Quinte/Eastern Canada is on November 17 as follows: Jennings Creek, Lindsay; Living Hope, Peterborough; Cephas, Peterborough; Hope, Port Perry; Rehoboth, Bowmanville; Maranatha, Bowmanville.

The November 18 pick-up schedule is: Grace, Cobourg; Ebenezer, Trenton; Westside Fellowship, Kingston; First CRC, Kingston; Bethel, Brockville; Community, Brinston/Dixon's Corners.

You should have already received confirmation of the pick-up. If your church is along the 401 corridor and is not listed above, please contact us to have your name added to the list.

NOTE TO ALL GROUP PARTICIPANTS: Please complete and include the Collection Sheet in your shipment.
Please add us to the pick-up schedule

Christmas Parcel Mailing Lists

We launch our campaign every September and we send out a few emails during the fall, along with all the resources to help you get yourself or your church/group organized. You'll also receive a final email early in the New Year where we share our campaign success stories.

Want in on the fun? Sign up today!
For churches/groups
For Individuals

"May the joy of Christmas and blessing of the Lord always be with you. Gestures of love and affection from people like you could make the world a much better place to be in. It’s possible [through acts such as yours] to bring back the lost paradise back to earth."

- Antony J. Mull, 2nd Officer, MT Acor - 

"I was sailing over Christmas...lonely Christmas morning. Until I opened the door to start my day and was so surprised to see a wrapped present waiting for me! I cannot even begin to express how incredibly moved I was to have been thought of that morning. It truly warmed my heart and brought me such joy!"

- ULS Sailor Girl -

"I am a seafarers' wife, sailing with him...We had a good get together on Christmas onboard thereafter we were given the beautiful gifts sent by U. It was indeed a great, great gesture on your part to make Christmas so special for all those who r far, far away from their families.
I extend a very warm Thanks to U all for Ur labour of love! Best regards."

- Seafarers' wife, M.V. Mississauga Express -