On July 22, the New York and New Jersey Chapter as well as the Connecticut Chapter of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA NY/NJ) joined the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) at the Port Newark International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) to help pack gifts for SCI’s beloved Christmas at Sea program.

With their enthusiastic support, they packed over 3,000 hand-knit and crocheted items, generously donated by caring individuals from across the country. These gifts, thoughtfully prepared and lovingly made, are destined to bring warmth and cheer to mariners and seafarers spending the holidays away from home. Each one serves as a tangible reminder that they are remembered and appreciated.

From here, the packed gifts will be distributed to SCI’s Ministry on the River Chaplains, who will deliver them to maritime companies and, ultimately, to the hands of the mariners themselves. This meaningful initiative would not be possible without the dedication of SCI’s volunteers and the support of partners like WISTA NY/NJ & CT.