For more than 100 years, the Mission has helped make sure that families and individuals have presents under the tree on Christmas morning. Seniors living on islands served on the Sunbeam recall the mittens, oranges, and toys Santa gave them wrapped in white paper and tied with red string. During tough years, these might have been the only presents they received. Now, decades later because of the continuing generosity of donors, the Mission provided more than 9,000 gifts to over 1,100 people living in Washington and Hancock Counties and on outer islands served by the Sunbeam.
Your gift to the Maine Seacoast Mission makes you part of all we do.
Each year, the Mission compiles a list of items that families request for their children, as well as items for adults and seniors living in nursing and care homes. The items on these wish lists include toys, books, games, clothes, and personal care items for both children ages infant to 18 as well as adults and seniors. The Mission traditionally includes a knitted or crocheted item with each gift. Knitters and crocheters are invited to donate their mittens, hats, shawls, scarves, socks, and lap blankets.
“The Mission’s Christmas program is a tradition that goes all the way back to our founding,” says President John Zavodny. “With the help of donors, and volunteers who wrap each gift in white paper and red string, the Mission can make Christmas a little more joyful for many.”
The 2024 Christmas Program wish list and Amazon wish list are now available. Monetary donations are also welcome, which will help the Mission fulfill specific requests.
Gifts and cards can be mailed to:
Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program
PO Box 428
6 Weald Bethel Lane
Cherryfield, ME 04622
Any items should be sent to the Mission before Monday, December 2.
Checks should be addressed to:
Maine Seacoast Mission Christmas Program
P.O. Box 600
Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
The Mission would like to properly acknowledge all contributions, so please include a full name and address on any package or letter sent to the Mission.
Families with children under 18 can sign up to receive gifts this year, families can either have elves choose gifts or they can go shop on the Downeast campus in Cherryfield. The Christmas Program provides gifts for families in Addison, Beals Island, Cherryfield, Columbia/Columbia Falls, Deblois, Harrington, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Milbridge, Machias, and Steuben, on Mount Desert Island and the outer Islands supported by the Sunbeam.
Learn more about the Christmas program as well as ways to support the Mission year round. For any questions about donating to the Christmas program contact Devin Mack at [email protected] or (207) 801-6010.