MAYNE ISLAND LIONS CLUB
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THE SANTA SHIP WILL BE ARRIVING A BIT LATER THIS YEAR DUE TO VESSEL REFITS
​AND SOME NEW CREW. 
BUT -- NEVER FEAR, BECAUSE OUR REVERED SANTA CLAUS WILL SOON BE HERE.
 
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Santa Ship --  Miners Bay
COME GREET SANTA ON DECEMBER 15TH!


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 In parts of the world, Santa arrives by sleigh, slides down chimneys, or walks through front doors. But for people living in small island communities in the Pacific Northwest, access to the mainland is limited – and children rarely have the chance to visit Santa.  
​
The Lions Step In

Lions Clubs in the Pacific Northwest saw the need, and wanted to do something to make the holidays happier. “The kids on the islands didn’t have transportation to and from the big cities,” according to Don Wight of the Bellingham Lions Club. “One of the islands asked if a boat that had lights on it could possibly come out to the islands with candy and toys for the kids.”
​
That marked the beginning of the Christmas Ship.  Every December for the past 70 years, Santa has suited up and stepped off the Christmas Ship to bring gifts and joy to people living in remote islands off the coast of Bellingham, Washington in the United States and British Columbia, Canada.  The Santa Ship sails from Bellingham WA to the Southern Gulf Islands bearing gifts and Santa Claus, along with Mrs. Claus and assorted dressed-up helpers.  The motley crew aboard the Santa Ship are all Lion volunteers from various clubs that compete for the privilege of being a participant.  Pirates and clowns and assorted merrymakers including a choral group all share in this wonderful opportunity for our island children.  Each year is marked by a special Christmas ornament available for sale at each stop.  Everything helps to keep the "ship afloat".  

The Santa Ship returns to the Gulf Islands every mid-December.  Hosted by Lions Club International, the stops include Mayne Island, Saturna Island, Pender Island, and Salt Spring Island. Additional stops happen in the following day across the San Juan Islands in the other side of the border.  Usually a Unit of the Royal Canadian Marine - Search and Rescue - in their high performance rescue craft are part of the safety escort. 































The Mayne Island Volunteer Fire Department will provide transportation for Santa from the Miners Bay dock to the venerable Agricultural Hall.  Mayne Island Lions magically convert to reindeer to help pull the fire truck sleigh.

At the Ag Hall Santa will greet the Mayne Island children and hand out gifts.  Then he is off to the next island where more children are waiting for him.  Weather and stamina permitting all of the populated outer islands in the Gulf and San Juan island groups will get a visit.  

Santa and his trusty crew have come and gone for another year.  But it is time to reflect on this event.  It is a wonderful time for the little children (and the big kids too) to greet Santa and get their chance to sit on his knee to tell how good they have been thus far. Not too many lumps of coal have shown up.  That's a good thing!  

​
The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Today, Lions dressed as pirates, elves, clowns, and Santa all climb aboard the Christmas Ship to create a unique holiday experience. Dozens of Lions clubs throughout Washington and British Columbia collaborate to make the project a success. “It just is inspiring to everybody there. Everybody feels it,” says Judy Portas of the Abbottsford Lions Club. “It’s just a vibration and they all cheer and wait. So it’s just a great, great experience.”  
​
Almost all of the islands that the ship visits are home to a Lions Club.  And every island offers its own brand of hospitality – from bagpipes to bonfires to a fire truck escort. “It’s certainly well received on the island,” says Harry Lane of the Mayne Island Lions Club. “It’s an event nobody’s going to miss, that’s for sure.”

Lions Club International -- Write-up of the Santa Ship in the LION Magazine November 2009


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www.mayneislandlions.org
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How to Join
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Mayne Island Lions Club    
615 Williams Place    
Mayne Island    
BC   Canada  V0N 2J2

Calendar
Steak Night
Summerfest
Canada Day
Fall Fair
Salmon BBQ
Charter Night
Seniors Night

Santa Ship
Fred Greenslade Scholarship
Mayne Island Phone Book
Eyeglass Donation
Japanese Garden
Rentals
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Serving the Mayne Island Community for 50 years
Last updated:  July 7, 2022
  • Welcome
    • The LIONS DEN >
      • From the Lions Den - May 2020
      • From the Lions Den - April, 2020
      • From the Lions Den - March, 2020
      • From the Lions Den - February, 2020
      • From the Lions Den - January, 2020
      • From the Lions Den - December 2019
      • From the Lions Den - November 2019
      • From the Lions Den - October 2019
      • From the Lions Den - September 2019
      • From the Lions Den - August 2019
      • From the Lions Den - July 2019
      • From the Lions Den - June 2019
      • From the Lions Den - May 2019
      • From the Lions Den - April 2019
      • From the Lions Den - March 2019
      • From the Lions Den - February 2019
      • From the Lions Den - January 2019
  • Who We Are
  • Membership
    • Code of Ethics
    • How to Join
    • Executive
    • History
  • Calendar
    • OUR ANNUAL What We Do list >
      • Steak Night >
        • 2017-05-17 Steak Night photos
      • Summerfest
      • Canada Day
      • Church Fair
      • Fall Fair
      • PARADE OF LIGHTS
      • Salmon Barbecue >
        • 222 draw old schoolhouse >
          • 222 draw
      • Charter Night
      • Santa Ship >
        • 2017 Santa Ship
      • Seniors Night
    • 2018 Archives >
      • From the Lions Den - 2018 >
        • From the Lions Den - December 2018
        • From the Lions Den - November 2018
        • From the Lions Den - October 2018
        • From the Lions Den - September 2018
        • From the Lions Den - August 2018
        • From the Lions Den - July 2018
        • From the Lions Den - June 2018
        • From the Lions Den - May 2018
        • From the Lions Den - April 2018
        • From the Lions Den - March 2018
        • From the Lions Den - February 2018
        • From the Lions Den - January 2018
      • JULY 2018 DOG SHOW
      • 2018 Easter Egg Hunt
    • 2017 Archives >
      • From the Lions Den - 2017 >
        • From the Lions Den - December 2017
        • From the Liond Den November 2017
        • From the Lions Den - October 2017
        • From the Lions Den - September 2017
        • From the Lions Den - August 2017
        • From the Lions Den - July 2017
        • Advertising Order form new ads
        • From the Lions Den - June 2017
        • From the Lions Den - May 2017
        • From the Lions Den - April 2017
        • From the Lions Den - March 2017
        • From the Lions Den - February 2017
        • From the Lions Den - January 2017
      • 2017-12-13 Single Seniors Dinner
    • 2016 Archives >
      • 2016-11-12 Charter Photos
      • 2016-12-20 Lighting Gardens
      • 2016-12-20 Single Seniors Dinner
      • 2016-09-04 Salmon BBQ
      • 2016 Kraft Dinner Cookoff
    • 2015 Archives >
      • 2015 Fall Fair
      • 2015 Steak Night photos
      • 2015 Seniors Night
    • 2014 Archives >
      • Bingo
      • 2014 News Archives
      • 2014 Canada Day >
        • 2014 Canada Day Photos BW photos
      • 2014 Fall Fair
      • 2014 Salmon BBQ
      • 2014 Charter Night
      • 2014 Santa Ship
    • 2013 Archives >
      • 2013 Summerfest
      • 2013 Charter Night
  • Event Rentals
  • Other Projects
    • Adachi Pavilion
    • DAYS FOR GIRLS >
      • The Days for Girls Project
      • The MI Quilter's Guild at work
    • Mayne Islander of the Year >
      • 2018 May McKenzie
      • 2017 Colleen and Wayne Ming
      • 2016 Neil and Liz Howard
      • 2015 Mary Cooper
      • 2014 Ann Johnston profile
    • VOLUNTEER FAIR
    • Fred Greenslade Scholarship
    • Eyeglass Donation
    • Japanese Garden
    • Seniors Exercise Area
    • PAC CROCK POT CAPER
    • Going on a Lion Hunt CAR RALLY
  • Donations