DITTY BAGS 2020: SENDING APPRECIATION TO SEAFARERS DURING THE PANDEMIC
Cargo ship crews are working under grim circumstances this year, many forced to remain at sea months beyond the end of their contracts with no hope of getting back to home and family anytime soon.
We are determined to continue our tradition of delivering ditty bags filled with gifts of appreciation to all seafarers arriving in our ports during the Holiday Season.
Our sincere thanks to churches, individuals, and businesses who have supported this program in the past, and we ask for your help again at this difficult time. Items can be delivered to our office in the Navy Yard, 1113 Admiral Peary Way (please give us a call first to be sure we’re there instead of our serving seafarers).
If you have questions or would like to help with a financial contribution, please call Helene Pierson at 215-940-9900.
Ditty bag wish list:
- Hats and scarves in dark colors
- Work socks, work gloves
- Chap Stick
- Nail clippers
- Razors
- Shaving cream
- Playing cards
- Shampoo
- Hand lotion
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Comb
- Pens and writing paper
- Mini sewing kit
- Hard or boxed candy, gum, cough drops
(Full sizes, please for toiletries)
And financial contributions are especially helpful this year.
DITTY BAG SEASON 2019
On behalf of the seafarers we serve: thank you to all the churches, businesses, individuals, — and knitters — who contributed gifts for ditty bags in 2019. More than 2,000 crew members of cargo ships in our Delaware River ports received ditty bags that contained necessities such as razors and deodorant along, with treats like candy or gum, and a hat or scarf and gloves to keep them warm at sea. We are always touched by how much seafarers appreciate this gesture that shows someone cares and wishes them well. We are deeply grateful for the help of so many friends of SCI.
