How to Support M2S

Why Seafarers?

Ninety percent of all that we use and own comes to us through a seafarer.

In 2021 an estimated 11 billion tonnes of cargo was shipped worldwide. That’s 11 with 9 zeros behind it! That requires a lot of ships, and those ships are manned by seafarers – an estimated 1.6 million men and women!

Each ship has an average crew of 20 people, who are usually contracted on 6-9 month terms. Most seafarers (the vast majority are men) are from Asia and Eastern Europe. Many come from countries with a shortage of well-paying jobs and they have chosen to leave behind those they love and set sail in order to provide for their families.

Seafaring jobs are demanding and often dangerous. Even though the shipping industry is regulated by the Maritime Labour Convention, not all countries are signatories. As a result, even in our modern world, many seafarers work in very hazardous, stressful conditions on-board ships, which only compounds the dangers of the job and intensifies their loneliness and isolation. All this creates a need. A need for advocacy, support, encouragement – and a need to “love our neighbour as ourselves.”

So, that’s where we come in. And you, too, hopefully!

Giving the Gift of Practical Care

  • Two seafarers who lost luggage

    Ditty Bags

    Toiletries and small essential items are sometimes hard for seafarers to come by — especially if they are unable to take shore leave or if their luggage is lost in transit. It’s no easy feat to reconnect a seafarer with his suitcase when he is always on the move!

    Help us keep items on hand so we can offer to replenish their supplies on a moment’s notice.

  • Happy seafarer with gift

    Christmas Parcels

    Each year we organize a Christmas Parcel Drive to collect gifts from individuals, churches and businesses. We offer one to each seafarer visiting the Port of Montreal during the month of December to communicate that they are seen, loved and valued.

    What seafarers are saying, “Thank you for the gifts you bring to the ship and also your prayers and support to every seafarer in the world. Your mission to us is highly appreciated.”

  • Christmas parcel

    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.

    What seafarers are saying, “On behalf of my crew I would like to thank you for the Christmas presents received. The handwritten wishes on the Christmas card were highly appreciated.”

    From the Donate page, select Pack a virtual Christmas parcel from the FUND drop-down list.

Supporting M2S
Through Prayer

Without prayer, we will have limited impact and effectiveness. We count on your prayers for God's discernment, help, direction and more. Make an investment and join our prayer team today.

We couldn’t agree more with Oswald Chambers who said, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works — prayer is the greater work.”

There are many things to pray about, ranging from personal hardships in the lives of seafarers, to ministry-related needs, to issues affecting the shipping industry in general and those who work in it. Sign up for LIFEBOAT, our monthly prayer e-bulletin, and join us in praying for the men and women who work at sea. Alternatively, you can follow us on the ECHO prayer app.

PRAYER POINTS

  • PRAY FOR SEAFARERS

    That they might discover the love of God, or if they know Him that they will be strengthened in faith. Also that they be kept safe while far from home.

  • PRAY FOR SEAFARERS' FAMILIES

    That they will be strong while they are separated from their loved ones and that they too may come to know of Christ and his Good News.

  • PRAY FOR CHAPLAINS

    That they may have wisdom to know how to minister to the differing needs of the seafarers.

  • PRAY FOR THE MINISTRY

    That we might always seek to glorify God in whatever he asks us to do.

  • PRAY FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS

    That they may be granted wisdom as they serve and that their time may be beneficial to the seafarers, to the center and to themselves.

Donate

  • M2S receives no government funding and relies on the donations of supporters to help continue our mission here in the Port of Montreal and digitally, around the world. Thank you for your generosity!

Our CanadaHelps page has information on our current campaigns. In giving to M2S you can have confidence in knowing how your donations are being used. If you are making a donation in honour of someone else you can use our Donation Form specifically for that purpose.

Other Ways to Donate

Canadian gifts are tax deductible and you will receive a tax receipt. When making a donation via CSS, CanadaHelps or the PayPal Giving Fund, you will receive a tax receipt from them, not from M2S.

  • Make a secure, online donation using the PayPal Giving Fund.

    We receive 100% of your donation.

    Donate Now

  • Fill out our Donation Form so we have the information needed to provide you with a Charitable Donation Receipt.

    Send the e-transfer to donations@ministrytoseafarers.org

    The funds will be deposited automatically.

    That’s it! You will receive a Charitable Donation Receipt before the end of February following the tax year.

    Download Form

  • We accept cheques at:

    The Ministry to Seafarers
    CP 128 SUCC PLACE-D'ARMES MONTREAL QC H2Y 3E9 CANADA

    If you have any questions about any of the above giving methods, please contact us.

  • We partner with Christian Stewardship Services (CSS) so you can benefit from a free, no obligation consultation.

    CSS can assist you in your financial planning by helping you determine the most beneficial ways to give.

    Their latest tool, MemberNET, allows donors to manage all their charitable giving from one online account, simplifying the process of making donations.

    Visit CSS.

  • You can donate stocks or mutual funds all while saving taxes.

    Since 2006, Canada’s federal government has allowed for tax incentives that make it beneficial for you to donate stocks or mutual funds instead of cash. If your securities have increased in value, at the time of sale you will generate a capital gains tax. But, by donating these stocks or mutual funds directly to a charity, you eliminate this tax and you will get a tax-deductible receipt for the full market value of your stocks/mutual funds.

    Before making any gifts of securities, talk to a Financial Advisor. If you do not have one, we recommend you contact our partner, Christian Stewardship Services for a free consultation.

Raise Funds

  • Game of Foosball

    Seafarer Events

    A seafarer's workload, lack of sleep and high pressures of the job contribute to feelings of isolation and mental health challenges.

    To this end, we have been providing regular events for seafarers for the purpose of offering more connection with our staff and volunteers and with other seafarers.

    For $100 you can sponsor an event including prizes and free snacks and you can support our ability to provide recreational and community life events for seafarers.

  • Seaway Bike Tour logo

    Seaway Bike Tour

    Held annually on the second Saturday in September, participating riders set a personal fundraising goal and invite their community to sponsor their commitment to cycle a Seaway Bike Tour Route (12, 25, 50 or 100 km).

    We suggest $1250/rider. This represents the cost of one chaplain serving all the ships in the port for one week including, ship visits, free devotional materials, transportation and facilitating seafarers needs.

  • Groups of people eating

    Cabane à sucre

    Celebrate the end of winter and the start of our busiest season by attending our joint Cabane à sucre fundraiser! All charitable donations and sponsorships will go toward supporting the Mariners’ House of Montreal and Ministry to Seafarers.

    Save the date: March 18, 2025

M2S is Audited Annually

The Ministry to Seafarers of the CRC (M2S) is audited annually by an independent public accounting form and our financial statements are available upon request. Spending of funds is confined to M2S approved programs and projects. Each contribution directed toward an approved program or project will be used as restricted with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason as determined by M2S, the remaining restricted contributions will be used where most needed.

Be part of our
Ministry of Presence

  • Group of visitors

    Visit

    We love hosting visitors!

    We welcome school groups, churches, businesses or individuals and can tailor an experience based on your time frame and goals.

    Examples include a port tour, tour of Mariners’ House, presentation (in English or French) and packing parties.

  • Group of volunteers

    Volunteer

    M2S flourishes when there are volunteers on site to befriend seafarers, help with tasks at the Centre and assist with driving to/from ships. They are integral ministry partners, not just ministry helpers and are an essential part of mutual learning and growth. We consider a volunteer’s gifts and abilities and try to tailor the volunteer experience accordingly.

    Want to experience foreign cultures from the seat of a minivan? Travel the world without leaving home? You'll love it here!

  • Two interns

    Intern

    We consider interns on a case-by-case basis, depending on what criteria they need to meet. Our internships are generally unpaid though, depending on funding, we sometimes offer a 3-month paid position during the summer.

    Examples of the types of interns we've accepted in the past include chaplaincy, religious studies, retail sales and leisure science. We can also accommodate students studying cross-cultural missions, Biblical studies and more.

    In general, interns must be able-bodied as ship visits are part of the experience. Training is provided and goals are mutually agreed upon at the outset.

    Interns must provide a background check and a valid driver's license is an asset.

What can I expect?

Newcomers are first fully trained by our staff.

Volunteers work as part of a multi-functional team at Mariners' House. They do a variety of things such as drive our vans to transport seafarers to and from their ships, staff the snack bar/souvenir counter or help with office work. We also love learning what gifts and talents others have and find ways of incorporating them into life at the Seafarers' Centre. For example, we've had interns teach seafarers how to make sushi or do wood-burning crafts. During the months of November and December, volunteers are especially needed to help receive, sort, and distribute the thousands of gifts we receive during our annual Christmas Parcel drive.

Volunteers are encouraged to spend time socializing with seafarers, whether it's playing games, getting acquainted, helping them choose a souvenir, or exchanging faith and life stories. Even a genuine smile helps to encourage a seafarer and make them feel cared for.

You don't need to go far to see the world. We invite you to join us in serving seafarers from around the world in the Port of Montreal. We'd love to have you aboard!

“M2S is one of the top volunteer sites on my list.”

— Winston, a 2023 volunteer