Maritime Museum Launches Christmas at Sea and Holiday Donation Campaigns

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic launches its annual Christmas at Sea program today, Nov. 18, with previews of holiday exhibits and charitable donation campaigns.

"Individuals and families have made it a tradition to visit us over the holidays to see our special seasonal exhibits and support our charity drives," said Kim Reinhardt, museum manager. "We're excited to have our Teddy Bears Ahoy! exhibit with hundreds of bears loaned and donated from the public, something we haven't done since 2002. This display will complement our annual LEGO display for quality family time during the holiday season."

The museum encourages families to bring a donation for its Mission to Seafarers shoebox program, or a toy for those less fortunate for the Boatload of Toys drive.

The Boatload of Toys campaign will support Bryony House and Boys and Girls Clubs of Dartmouth and Halifax. The museum also partners with Mission to Seafarers for the annual Christmas shoebox program, which collects items into gift-wrapped shoeboxes for crews of visiting ships.

"The warm generosity of the public in supporting our shoebox program helps Mission to Seafarers and the international crew members who work and transport our goods over the holidays," said Matthew Hughson, visitor services staff member at the Maritime Museum. "We hope these donated items provide them with some comfort as a gesture of our appreciation."

The museum hopes to generate 100 shoeboxes of items to welcome them during their Maritime stay.

With donations to either of the campaigns, the museum offers free family admission to explore the holiday sights and sounds, including:

• Theodore Tugboat and friends display in a wintery Halifax Harbour
• Merlin the rainbow macaw, always in colourful, festive fashion
• Teddy Bears Ahoy! our special holiday exhibit, from Dec. 12, 2015 to Feb. 14, 2016
• LEGO: City by the Sea display and LEGO Model Competition for youth age 7 to 18

For more information about activities, go to http://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca .

Like the Mission to Seafarers shoebox campaign at:
https://www.facebook.com/maritimemuseum/videos/vb.60704669084/10152108668389085/?type=2&theater .