The Port Houston Police and Security departments volunteered at a local housing facility, New Hope Housing, Inc. at Brays Crossing and Jacinto City Healthcare Center in Houston, bringing Christmas cheer to more than 140 residents on Dec. 20. They provided plush blankets and tupperware to the Houstonians while entertaining them with holiday music, snacks and games.

The Silver Santa Project idea came about three years ago when Port Police Chief Mark Smith was visiting his mother at an assisted living facility where she stayed. “It was sad to see that not many seniors are remembered in nursing homes, especially during the Christmas season. I wanted the Police department to do something for our local seniors, so I came up with the Silver Santa Project,” said Smith.

“This year, I decided to expand into other areas of our local community, so we reached out to New Hope Housing.”

This year, the Port Houston Police and Security departments raised more than $2,000 towards the Silver Santa project through donations and various fundraisers. The project requires several months of planning led by a steering committee of port police and security personnel.

New Hope Housing’s mission is to provide life-stabilizing, affordable, permanent housing with support services for people who live on very limited incomes. The organization strives to be an enduring institution serving Houston’s most vulnerable citizens.

In addition, Port Houston’s police team distributed 14 bikes to students at De Zavala Elementary for exemplary school attendance on Dec 13.

The port’s Police department also participated in several other outreach opportunities this year, including “National Night Out,” “National Coffee with a Cop Day” and Red Ribbon Week.

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Did you know that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of seafarers, as well as of children? Port Houston is proud to continue a wonderful tradition of spreading holiday cheer by providing small gifts to visiting seafarers through the “Shoeboxes for Seafarers” program.  The program, which has been running for more than 40 years, is organized by the Houston International Seafarers’ Center.  

This holiday season, Port Houston packaged and delivered more than 60 wrapped shoeboxes to the Center, after collecting money, shoeboxes and items for the project.

Each box included daily personal products such as soap, a pair of socks, shampoo and a toothbrush, as well as other fun items like a deck of cards, sunglasses and candy.  Additionally, each box contained a special holiday greeting created by Port Houston team members.  

“Every year, the Seafarers’ Center hands out more than 10,000 shoeboxes, packed and wrapped by churches and community groups all over the Houston area, to visiting seaman.  Although the Port Houston team plays a small part in these larger efforts, we know our contributions help make this season special for those seafarers who are away from their families during the holidays,” said Leslie Herbst, director of community relations and events for Port Houston.

The Houston International Seafarers’ Center serves as a home away from home for the men and women that travel aboard ocean-going vessels. The center’s new restaurant at the Port of Houston Turning Basin is expected to open in December 2017.

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