Ditty Bags
Each year during the Christmas season we say thank you to the seafarers on merchant vessels calling at the Port of Seattle by giving them Ditty Bags. These are filled with practical items that convey the love, concern, and compassion of our local churches to the seafarers working to bring us the items we use and wear on a daily basis. Making and filling these ditty bags provides our church congregations with an opportunity to take part in an international and ecumenical outreach ministry.
The 2011 Ditty Bag assembly day was on Saturday, November 5th. A large group of supporters met at St. John the Baptist Church in West Seattle and assembled a total of 720 ditty bags! Thank you to everyone who participated and to all the caring individuals who made ditty bags, knit warm hats and collected toiletries for us. We could not have assembled so many bags without your amazing support.
The following items are particularly needed every year:
- Deodorant
- Shaving Cream
- Shampoo (16oz bottles)
- Toothpaste (5.6-6.2oz)
- Knit or Fleece Hats
- Small New Testaments or Gospels of John
And we can always use the following items:
- Playing cards
- Disposable Razors
- Toothbrushes (single packs only)
- Bar Soap
- Pens/Pencils/Notepads
We do not use hotel size toiletries for Ditty Bags but we can pass these on to other agencies who can use them. Personal notes or Christmas cards to the seafarers are always welcome.
