Each year, M2S runs a Christmas Parcel Drive in the hope of giving each seafarer who visits the Port of Montreal during the month of December a small gift as a token of the love of God, and a means of celebrating with them God's great gift, Jesus Christ.

Parcels usually consist of a shoebox (or similar-sized gift bag) wrapped in festive paper, filled with both practical items (eg. hand cream, soap, warm gloves and hats) and treats (eg. chocolate, candy, cards). Including a card with a personal note, although optional, is always the most hoped-for and most appreciated by all seafarers.

These parcels are delivered to every ship in port, one for each crew member, along with Bibles in the language of the majority of seafarers on board. We here at M2S attach a card, translated into the language of each recipient, which explains the reason we celebrate Christmas.

We also suggest that, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, the ship’s captain read the Christmas story (Luke chapter 2) from the Bible with his crew and then distribute the parcels.

“May the joy of Christmas and blessing of the Lord always be with you. Gestures of love and affection from people like you could make the world a much better place to be in. It’s possible [through acts such as yours] to bring back the lost paradise back to earth.”
— Antony J Mull, 2nd Officer, MT Acor

“I was sailing over Christmas...lonely Christmas morning. Until I opened the door to start my day and was so surprised to see a wrapped present waiting for me! I cannot even begin to express how incredibly moved I was to have been thought of that morning. It truly warmed my heart and brought me such joy!”
— ULS sailor girl