Get Involved – Donate: Time, Talents, and/or Treasures

Time: Volunteer

Volunteers are often needed to help answer telephones, help with special projects, and to provide practical assistance to seafarers during peak times. Volunteers are an essential part of our work.

Volunteers who undergo special training also service as ship visitors. When visiting aboard ships, volunteers and Center Chaplains offer a friendly welcome, an invitation to visit the Center and spiritual or practical guidance and assistance.

Call the Seafarers Center (713.672.0511) to inquire about becoming a ship visitor or to learn more about our other volunteer needs.

Talents: Throw Seafarers a Party!

Groups can come host a party for the seafarers at our Center! Just bring snack food, beverages and yourselves, and come visit with the seafarers. To arrange a party, just call the Seafarers Center (713.672.0511) and ask to speak to the Chaplain-On-Duty.

Prior groups have: brought Valentine’s cards, Christmas cards and greeting cards for the seafarers to write home to their families; brought choirs and singing groups to give a small concert for the seafarers (and encouraged) them in a sing-a-long; and planned a weekend cook-out serving hamburgers and hotdogs. We’re always open to new ideas that will make seafaers time in Houston meaningful and memorable.

Treasure: Provide funding or specialty items

Contributions of money are tax deductible, as the Houston International Seafarers Center was chartered in 1972 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

To donate toward the operational expenses of the Seafarers Center, please make your checks payable to “Houston International Seafarers Center” or donate online:

Donate to the Houston International Seafarers Center

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Donate the Following Items (new or gently used)

  • Bibles
  • Magazines (most popular include: National Geographic, Reader’s Digest, news, sports, entertainment, religious, and travel)
  • Paperback Books
  • Jigsaw Puzzles
  • Playing cards
  • Board Games
  • Calendars
  • Music CD’s
  • DVD’s
  • Greeting Cards

Treaure: Funding through your ministy:

Our Chaplains are supported through the missionary budgets of their denominations. You can help to fund these ministries by having your congregation and its vestry/board include the Seafarers Ministry during its Mission Funding Process. To donate to the overall ministry of the Seafarers Center, please make your checks payable to “Committee for Ministry to Port Houston.”

Physical address: Houston International Seafarers Center, 9750 High Level Road, Houston, Texas, 77029

Mailing address: Houston International Seafarers Center, P.O. Box 9506 Houston, Texas 77261-9506

Donations to the “Ministry of the Seafarers Center” help to cover the purchase of Bibles in various languages, safety equipment (vests and hard hats), help provide underwriting for the WiFi hotspot ministry, which provides WiFi devices to seafarers onboard ships for those who cannot go ashore, and help to cover supply chaplains when extra help is needed to ensure coverage to ensure visitation of all ships entering the Port of Houston.

Time + Talent + Treasure: Participate in our Christmas Shoebox Program

Each year, the Houston International Seafarers Center distributes 8,000 to 11,000 shoeboxes filled with essential items to seafarers visiting the Port of Houston. With your support, we can provide thousands of seafarers special boxes filled with treats and gifts during the holiday season.