Wilmington non-profits bring joy to seamen all over the world

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) A job at sea isn’t easy, especially during the holidays.

So, two non-profits are bringing joy to mariners this December. The International Seamen Center and The Propeller Club are giving gifts to 30 ships expected to dock at the state port. Vasile Balan is a world away from home.

“I’m from Romania,” Balan said.

Seamen, like Balan, spend anywhere from 3 to 9 months at a time on a ship.

“It’s kind of like serving time in jail,” Balan said.

For him, that means Christmas at sea.

“Christmas time is the worst time to be on board the vessel,” Balan said. “That is for sure, because everybody likes to be with family.”

That is where the International Seamen Center comes into play.

“We’re just generally there,” volunteer Wanda Wammack said.

Wammack says their 40 volunteers do it all.

“If they need to go shopping, we take them shopping,” Wammack said. “If they need to go buy groceries for a whole month at sea, we take them to do that, anything that they would like to do.”

They work all year round, but during the holidays they do a little more. They put together gift bags with the little things like razors, shampoo, and gloves. Wammack says that’s all it takes.

“They are so thankful for little things,” Wammack said. “Whereas, we Americans take things for granted. They appreciate things so much.”

She says that is what brings her back every week.

“It’s nice to be needed,” Wammack said. “You know?”

Balan says it is what he needs: a home away from home.

“They give support to anybody that needs and they’re understanding,” Balan said.

Balan says the little gifts mean the world.

“I mean every time matters, but during Christmas any gift you receive is like a gift from God,” Balan said.

The Seamen’s Center says they expect to give out more than 700 gifts this year, but they always need more volunteers and donations.

For more information, go to their website www.iscwilmington.org. To donate personal care products, you can contact Ritchie Wammack at 910-297-3669.