Volunteering | Mission to Seafarers

Volunteer With Us

Join the Mission to Seafarers Southern Ontario and make a difference in the lives of those who spend months at sea far from home. As a volunteer, you'll provide essential support, care, and companionship to seafarers who arrive at our ports in Hamilton, Toronto, Oshawa, and Port Colborne. Whether it's offering a warm welcome at our Mission Centres, helping with practical needs, or simply listing to their stories, your time and compassion can have a lasting impact. Our volunteers include professional mariners, people in commercial shipping, and members of the general public who would like to give back by volunteering their time.

Volunteering with us is not only rewarding but also an opportunity to connect with a global community and make meaningful contributions. Become a part of our Mission to ensure seafarers feel valued and supported by volunteering today!

Volunteer Opportunities

To express your interest in becoming a volunteer, please email: getinvolved@mtsso.org

Ship Visitor

As a Volunteer Ship Visitor, you'll play a vital role in providing care and connection to seafarers arriving at the Ports of Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Port Colborne, and Port Weller. This hands-on position involves boarding ships to welcome seafarers, offering practical, emotional, and spiritual support to individuals far from home. Guided by a Volunteer Coordinator or Port Chaplain, you'll assist with emergencies, engage in meaningful conversations, and help identify those needing additional care. Volunteers document activities, adhere to safety standards, and attend training sessions. This role is perfect for compassionate, culturally aware individuals ready to make a tangible impact on the lives of others.

Download Full Volunteer Description

Host

As a Mission Centre Host, you will create a welcoming and supportive environment for seafarers visiting our Mission Centres at the Ports of Oshawa and Hamilton. Your role is to make the Centre feel like a "home away from home" by offering practical assistance, emotional support, and spiritual care. Responsibilities include greeting visitors, managing amenities like internet access and refreshments, and providing local resources. Guided by the Centre Lead, you'll assist with emergencies, document activities, and contribute to improving the Mission experience. This role is ideal for compassionate, patient individuals eager to support seafarers far from home.

Download Full Volunteer Description

Driver

As a Volunteer Driver, you will play a key role in supporting seafarers by safely transporting them between the port, Mission Centre, shopping areas, and other destinations. Beyond driving, you’ll provide a warm welcome, practical assistance, and emotional support to individuals far from home. Guided by the Volunteer Coordinator, you’ll engage in meaningful interactions, assist with finding local resources, and contribute to the seafarers’ overall well-being. This role is perfect for compassionate individuals with a valid Class "G" driver’s license, excellent interpersonal skills, and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Download Full Volunteer Description

Calling All Knitters and Crocheters!

Throughout the year, but especially at Christmas time, we provide hundreds of handmade hats and scarves and we couldn’t do it without you!

Wool and acrylic, knitted and crocheted -- we gratefully take them all.

Hats can be brought or mailed to:

651 Burlington St. E. Hamilton, ON, L8L 4J5.

Basic patterns can be downloaded from missiontoseafarers.org.

knittng

Christmas Ditty Bags

The Mission to Seafarers, Southern Ontario (the ports of Oshawa, Toronto, & Hamilton) provides a "Christmas Box" to every seafarer who comes into port from mid-November until the end of December when the last ships leave the lake. To do this we need help.

Be an angel & help us collect the following items:

Wrapped shoe boxes - tops separate from the bottoms
Mens & women's socks
Toothpaste & toothbrushes (regular size)
Facecloths & small (not mini) bars of soap
Disposable razors (mens & women's)
Travel sizes of aftershave, body lotion, mens & women's deodorant
Coffee mugs
"Dollar store" sewing kits
Knitted caps - Dollar store specials or homemade

We hope to offer 400+ seafarers Christmas Ditty Bags, a small gesture that always receives huge thanks.

With your help, we can brighten the lives of the men and women who work hard to bring us everything from the sugar for our coffee to the cars we drive. On behalf of the Seafarers who annually pass through our ports in Southern Ontario, thank you for your support.