||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND LIONS CLUB |||
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 74 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 Colombia, Canada.
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. Almost all of the islands that the ship visits are home to a Lions Club. And every island offers its own brand of hospitality.
2023 Santa Ship Comes to Orcas Island
Join the Lions Club on December 9, 2023, at 12:00pm till 1:30pm at the Orcas Ferry Landing to welcome Santa and the holidays to our magical island. There will be all the usual pirates and clowns — and best of all Santa.
The Orcas Island Lions wants to thank Ron & Mary Russell from the Orcas Village Store for providing the refreshments, San Juan County and the Washington State Ferries for the use of the building, Islands Sounder, theOrcasonian and the Orcas Chamber of Commerce for publicity and all the volunteers that come out to greet the holidays.
We now have expanded parking at the WSF Park and Ride but it is still limited so arrive early.
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I’m 64 now (third generation orcas islander), but the Santa ships we’re such a fantastic gift! I grew up in Deer Harbor from age 3 to 20. Thank you to all the elves and Santa for making this happen, it meant the world to me ❣️