Volunteering in Canada took a serious hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world opens up again, and it is safe to volunteer again, the Mission to Seafarers is once again looking for volunteers.
More than 100 ships, both cruise and cargo, are scheduled to arrive in Toronto and Oshawa during the upcoming shipping season. Each cargo ship has a minimum crew of 22 to guide and direct it, and each luxury cruise ship has an average crew of 250 to keep nearly the same number of passengers well fed and relaxed. But we are the people who take care of the crews of these commercial vessels.
We would welcome your help meeting and greeting seafarers. In the Port of Oshawa, we have a mission station where seafarers come to access free WiFi, drink a cup of coffee, have a snack and just get away from the noise and busyness of their life on board ship. In Toronto, we meet our cruise ship seafarers at the ship’s gangway to assist with local errands such as shopping in their very limited time off.
If you feel called to offer your services as a volunteer for the Mission to Seafarers in Oshawa or Toronto, please contact me at [email protected] and I will be happy to provide you with a job description and job training. Thank you, and God bless you for your interest.
