Shopping for Seafarers: A Story of Unexpected Generosity
The first time a seafarer slipped a $10 bill into our change jar, we were surprised.
He didn’t say a word. Just quietly gave what he could.
Then another left $5 on the desk. Someone else handed an envelope with $14 to one of our volunteers. No fanfare. Just kindness.
These were seafarers: men and women who spend months at sea, far from home, working hard to give their families a better life. What they earn goes a long way where they’re from, but not so much here in Canada. Still, they gave.
And what sparked it all? A simple mug.
One seafarer asked how much it cost. We said, “It’s free.” He looked at us, surprised, then grateful. That moment of unexpected kindness started something we never could’ve predicted.
Some background. In February, we made a big decision at the Saint John Seafarers’ Mission. We stopped selling snacks, toiletries, and souvenirs. We started giving them away instead.
Covered Bridge Chips are made in New Brunswick.
We did it because the most important thing we can offer seafarers is time.
Time to call home. Time to rest. Time to just be.
If we can save them a trip to the store, we give them more of that time. And that’s what they need most after long journeys at sea: time to relax, time to breathe, time to feel human again.
We expected gratitude. We expected kindness. Seafarers are generous in spirit. They’ve been thoughtful in how much they take, always leaving something for the next person.
But we didn’t expect them to give back.
In March and April, seafarers gave about $100 to the Mission. That may not sound like much, but when you think about how far that money could go back home, it’s a lot. It’s deeply generous.
So we asked ourselves: What should we do with this money?
The answer came quickly. We went shopping!
Drew & Jen’s No Frills in West Saint John
We filled a cart at Drew & Jen’s No Frills with local New Brunswick treats like Covered Bridge chips and Ganong Chicken Bones, Canadian favourites like Voortman cookies and Carnaby Sweets, and global comforts like Coca-Cola, dark chocolate, and noodle bowls.
Every dime the seafarers gave was used to give something to someone else.
Ganong Chicken Bones, a tasty and local treat
And now, I’m writing to ask: Will you help us do more?
The Saint John Seafarers’ Mission is a donor-driven organization. We want to keep our free rack full of snacks, toiletries, and small Canadian mementos all year long. But we can’t do it without you.
$100 fills about two shelves on our “free rack”. You can help to keep these two shelves full and to fill the others too.
Your gift of $25, $50, or any amount you can share will help us keep giving so that every seafarer who walks through our doors finds a little comfort, a little joy, and a little more time. Click this link to go directly to our safe online giving platform at Canada Helps.
Because of caring people like you, we can keep this circle of kindness going.
Thank you,
Tony Dickinson
Executive Director
Saint John Seafarers’ Mission