Mission To Seafarers

Ditty Bag Program: The Center provided 2,147 "Ditty Bags" to seafarers on cargo ships. Volunteers sew cloth bags and knit stocking caps. The bags are filled with toiletries, a stocking cap, playing cards, other treats, and a handwritten note. The Center's chaplains and ship visitors distribute the bags to every seafarer entering the port during the holiday season. In-kind donations of clothing allowed the Center to expand the ditty bag program to provide 3,225 sweatshirts and t-shirts in addition to ditty bags this year.

Cruise ship transportation services: The Mission Staff and Volunteers provided transportation services to 8,637 cruise ship employees during the 2024 Seattle cruise season (May-October), with service provided to cruise ships in the Port of Seattle. The transportation service is a van service between the cruise ship terminal and downtown Seattle provided by a local resident who can direct seafarers to shopping and tourism destinations in the city.