Christmas at Sea (CAS) deliveries are in full swing, led by CAS manager Joanne Bartosik at the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark. Distribution began on December 2, with SCI Chaplains in the Port of New York and New Jersey delivering knits and crochets directly to seafarers onboard ships, while inland river Chaplains and various distribution centers along the river system continue to deliver boxes to companies who will pass them along to their mariners.

This year is shaping up to be another success for CAS, made possible by the thousands of hats, scarves, and other handmade items lovingly crafted by volunteers across the U.S., Canada, and even Europe. We are also deeply grateful to the many packing groups who have assembled the ditty bags for seafarers in port and prepared boxes for shipment for distribution along the Mississippi/Ohio River regions, and the Gulf Coast. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of our volunteers, the spirit of the season is reaching mariners everywhere!

Recently, SUNY Maritime Cadets (pictured above) and USMMA Cadets (pictured in the middle) visited the International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) to join our Chaplains in visiting ships and seafarers, as well as to assist with CAS’s packing efforts. In July, volunteers from the NY/NJ/CT Chapter of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) (pictured below) spent a day at the ISC assembling mini Santa sacks for shipment to tow boat companies in Paducah, KY.