A few minutes after the Sunbeam tied up on Frenchboro, islanders made their way onto the boat. They were there for Covid and flu vaccines. While some islanders just stopped by to get their shots and maybe grab a cookie, others stayed to enjoy lunch or dinner and chat with the crew and other islanders. 

The Mission’s short time on each island went a long way for each community. During the winter months, with some island populations dropping to around 20 people, the Sunbeam provides a welcome respite. And it was clearly a celebration: on Frenchboro, a young boy came on to play with the toy pirate ship, expressing joy that it was back. Sometimes both tables in the salon were filled with people discussing the latest island news. On Matinicus, one resident joked that the whole island stopped by to see the boat. When the Sunbeam is in port, it becomes an unofficial community center, with neighbors catching up with each other. With many islanders wearing multiple hats, they often lack the spare time to socialize; yet a visit from the Mission gives them a chance to pause and get together. 

Learn more about the Mission’s Island Health program and the Sunbeam.  

Last year, the Mission received more than 2,000 handcrafted hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and lap blankets from around the country. While it is not clear when the first knitted item was given as a Christmas present on the Maine coast, as early as 1910, the Mission noted in its Annual Report that knitted mittens and hats were donated to its Christmas Program alongside clothing, dolls, and books. Now, more than a century later, a knitted item is included in every gift given by the Mission and has become a staple of the Christmas Program.  

n later years, Alice began making mittens of her own to donate to the Mission. Many coastal residents still remember the years when the Mission might have given them their only Christmas gift and always included was either a hat or a pair of mittens. They fondly share the importance of the Mission and many would go on like Alice, to continue to support the Christmas Program for years to come.  

By the 1920s, knitting had become integral to the Mission’s work and in the Annual Report the Mission specifically asked for donations of knitted items. In 1935, the Mission thanked knitting groups for their donations including one group that sent 464 items to the Mission. Knitters and crocheters have continued to make and send items to the Mission for decades, sometimes sent with notes that speak of generations of grandmothers, mothers, and daughters.  

And while mittens might not be at the top of most kids’ wish lists today, they often are a favorite of many kids. Douglas Cornman, Director of Island Services, says many times kids overlook the toys and go straight for their new hat and mittens. “It amazes me when they do this. They love their new hat and mittens and want to know how Santa knew their favorite color. Their wonder and amazement adds to the magic of Christmas.”     

Now, the Mission is reaching out to current knitters and crocheters to find out more about their connection to the Mission. If you have created handmade items for the Mission, please let us know by filling out this survey. And because the Mission still gives thousands of knit items to people living on the coast each year, new knitters and crocheters are welcome to send their items to Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program, PO Box 428/ 6 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield, ME  04622. 

To learn more about the Christmas program and its impact here. 

The Bulletin underwent a redesign to better reflect the work the Mission is doing, with more dynamic colors and design, the new Bulletin features community and partner profiles alongside a longer feature story, introductions to Mission people and more stories about our programs. These profiles help give a face and story to the people who both help the Mission and receive Mission services. 

The Bulletin walks readers through the changes made on the campus from the new Downeast Engagement Center to the pole-based challenge course to the new cabins down by the Weald Bethel Community Center. Along the way, community members share what the improvements have meant to them.   

To read the full issue of the Bulletin visit Our Publications page.  

Since 1905, Maine Seacoast Mission has helped generations of children and families have a merry Christmas through its Christmas Program. If you or someone you know needs assistance in placing presents under the tree this year, families can now sign up to recieve gifts for children under 18.  

The Christmas Program serves residents of Addison, Beals Island, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Deblois, Harrington, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Machias, Milbridge, Steuben, Mount Desert Island towns, and islands served by the Sunbeam. In 2023, more than 9,000 gifts were distributed to individuals in the Mission’s service area.

Once a family’s request is received, Mission staff arrange a day for parents and guardians to shop for presents. Alternatively, parents and guardians can pick up or have delivered pre-selected items that match requests as best as possible. In addition to toys, children can receive books, clothing, other small items, and toiletries. Based on age and preference, families receive several gifts for each child. Gifts can either be left unwrapped or wrapped in the Mission’s iconic white parchment paper tied with red string. 

Families can sign up to shop or receive gifts from the Christmas Program here or contact Community Engagement Coordinator Kaysie Logan at [email protected] or (207) 598-6799.