The Caring for our Sailors project was directed and run by Brendan Falkowski and Brock Johnson, who at the time were both high school students from Michigan. The service project aimed at sending care packages to sailors on Great Lakes ships, and operated in both 2020 and 2021. Funds were raised from generous donations and Thrivent grants to purchase goods to pack care packages to go out to the freighters. Items such as snacks, cookies, and gum were packed for each sailor aboard each ship.

In 2020 packages were sent out to 29 ships sailing the Great Lakes, reaching over 550 sailors. In 2021, the project outreach grew even larger with 41 ships receiving care packages and reaching over 770 sailors.

Ships reached through the project included vessels in the following fleets: American Steamship Co., Central Marine Logistics, Grand River Navigation, Interlake Steamship Co., Lower Lakes Towing, Port City Marine Services, and VanEnkevort Tug & Barge. We have also partnered up with J.W. Westcott Company of Detroit and Soo Marine Supply of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, for delivery of the packages to the ships.

Thank you for your all of your support!

Brendan Falkowski and Brock Johnson

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