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Share the Joy!
Become a SCFS Gifter
We all take a trip to the supermarket for granted these days. The technology even exists to have groceries delivered to our door within the hour, with just a few taps on a phone screen. But imagine you’re in the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean and run short! Imagine you don’t have enough time while in port to get off, find a shop, and buy what you vitally need. This is the reality faced by seafarers and is felt even more acutely around birthdays and Christmas time, when presents are at a premium, if appearing at all. I’m sure you can imagine how this might feel.
Each year we deliver thousands of gift packs to seafarers who are from home and missing their families. This would not be possible without supporters like you helping us to practically share Christ’s love.
Could you, your church, youth group, Sunday school, women’s group or school SU collect supplies, gather together and make up gift packs? Why not make a special event of it?
How do I (or my church) send them?
Contact your nearest port chaplain / volunteer ship visitor.
Or get in touch with us at SCFS Head Quarters.
Check out our Christmas Gift Pack page for more details.
“The SCFS gift bags, filled with practical items such as hats, gloves and other essentials, along with delightful sweets — and most importantly, God’s Word shared through a beautiful SCFS 2026 calendar — brought joy to those we met and who serve so faithfully on the many ships we visited that day. It was wonderful to share conversations and witness the appreciation for the gift bags, which offered comfort, warmth, and a prayerful reminder of the importance of God’s love for all.”
Lorraine, Belfast Ship Visitor
‘I hope this card gets to you while riding the waves and embracing the adventures of the sea. I wanted to let you know how much we appreciate the hard work & sacrifices you make every day. Your courage and resilience inspires us all. Since you won’t be home for Christmas I want to wish you a very, very Merry Christmas!’ – Jorja
From a child’s Christmas card
Seafarers ‘THANK YOU’ for their Christmas Gifts
“We spent Christmas and New Year at sea. This is the first time someone brought us Christmas presents. Thank you very much SCFS in Cork, Ireland! Even though the holidays are over, you gave us great happiness.”
“Since my father gave me a present when I was 17, I haven’t received any other presents except from you. Thanks for giving me such a special memory in Dublin and for spiritual care.”
The Captain and Chief told me they have never experienced such lovely Christmas presents on board, and want to say thank you to our generous supporters.
Colin Jenkins, Cork Port Chaplain
As the captain received the Christmas gifts he said to me, “We would be delighted to accept because it shows that someone cares.”
Iain Sanders, Aberdeen Port Chaplain
This slideshow celebrates the incredible impact of your kindness last Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of church groups, youth groups, school SU groups, ladies’ groups, community organisations, and countless individuals, seafarers far from home experienced warmth, friendship, and Christmas joy.
Together, you brought comfort and hope to homesick crews visiting our ports in Aberdeen, Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Montrose, and Warrenpoint. Thank you for helping make Christmas brighter for those who spend the festive season at sea. 🎄❤️⚓
Share the Joy!
What can I send?
While the essential gift packs provide seafarers with basic necessities, there are other gifts which are also deeply appreciated…
- Warm clothes as some seafarers struggle to adapt to the colder weather of the northern hemisphere. SCFS have encountered some seafarers wearing seven layers of clothes!
- New guitar strings, or better yet, a new guitar is such an encouragement for the Christian fellowships.
- Seafarers appreciate bicycles to get ashore and to local facilities while in port and they also provide a means of exercise.
- A small plant may seem like an odd gift, but they can bring a glimmer of hope and be a reminder of home and land while seafarers spend weeks surrounded by vast and often turbulent oceans.
- Cuddly toys – a fun gift for these often forgotten people – cause seafarers to smile. They can brighten their cabins or be gifts sent to children at home.