About Us
Our Home in Point Comfort, Texas
Halfway between Houston and Corpus Christi, on Lavaca Bay, accessed by the Matagorda Ship Channel.
We began ship visits in 2019, incorporated in 2020, and received our IRS 501(c)(3) determination in 2021. We completed the hospitality center in early 2023, just a short walk from the docks.
The primary mission of the Point Comfort Seafarers Center is to provide hospitality and assistance for the crew members of vessels visiting the port in Point Comfort, Texas. Our vision is to offer and share friendship with all seafarers regardless of nationality, religion, culture, gender, or ethnic origin. We strive to support the seafarers and respect their personal values and beliefs.
From Parking Lot to Hospitality Center
Two buildings, 11 dedicated volunteers, and over a year of construction. Here's how the Center came to be.
Groundbreaking
From an idea born out of hundreds of ship visits, to breaking ground on a real site.
The Center Becomes a Reality
After hundreds of ship visits and conversations, the vision could take shape after we received permission from the Calhoun Port Authority to operate a hospitality center inside the port.
Ground Prepared
A site walking distance from the docks was chosen and leveled with a limestone base.
First Building Arrives
The Center had its first physical home. No more storing donations in board members' houses.
Thanks to Trull Foundation & ITFBuilding It
Through a Texas winter and into summer, the Center slowly took shape.
Second Building Delivered
The larger hospitality center building arrived in the middle of Christmas at Sea preparations.
Power On
Electricity was finally connected, keeping construction moving through the winter.
Insulated & Sided
Spray-foam insulation and PVC siding went in, built to last through Texas summers and winters alike.
Thanks to Formosa Plastics, Ineos Nitriles USA & Inteplast GroupFloors Go In
A 100% waterproof vinyl plank floor was installed. The contractor moved the job up to leave time for final touches.
Thanks to The Mission to SeafarersOpening Our Doors
A grand opening in the rain, and the finishing touches that made it home.
Grand Opening
Bishop Cahill of the Catholic Diocese of Victoria came out in the rain to bless the Center on its opening day — May 16, the feast day of St. Brendan the Navigator, a patron saint of seafarers.
Episcopal House Blessing
After finishing the indoor plumbing, Rev. Scott Penrod and the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church came for lunch at the Center to bless it and celebrate the International Day of the Seafarer.
Vending Machine Added
A new service for visitors: low-cost snacks and Texas souvenirs, available any time the Center is open.
The Real Finishing Touch
The basketball court was completed, turning what was once a mudhole into the Center's crown jewel.
Pool Table Upgrade
The well-worn residential pool table was replaced with a refurbished commercial table.
Growing Our Impact
The doors opened, and 24/7 service began: seafarer by seafarer, year by year.
926 Gifts Delivered
Our first Christmas in port was a huge success. Gift donations were received from 35 groups and individuals. Thank you all.
709 Gifts Delivered
The pandemic was hard on everyone, but our generous communities came through to share holiday cheer with strangers far from home.
709 gifts950 Gifts Delivered
Seafarers come from countries all over the world. This year we delivered gifts to 21 different nationalities.
950 gifts1,066 Gifts Delivered
We are thankful for all the individuals, confirmation classes, Catholic Daughter Courts, and members of local Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterian churches that made gifts.
1,066 giftsFirst Visitor Checks In
The very first visitor checked in to enjoy our hospitality at the newly opened Center.
962 Gifts Delivered
A Facebook follower in New York City encouraged us to make an Amazon shopping list so people like her could contribute to our gift giving. We made a list and update it each year.
962 gifts1,000th Visitor
Our 1,000th visitor checked in to enjoy our hospitality at the Center.
918 Gifts Delivered
Our busiest season for ships, with 39 ocean-going vessels receiving gifts. On average the ships have a crew of 23 seafarers.
918 gifts2,500th Visitor Check-In
Our paper guest book carried us to check-in number 2,144 before we switched to an electronic registry on April 6, 2025. Together, the two logs carried us past 2,500 visitors.
1,009 Gifts Delivered
Over 50 groups and individuals joined us this year to spread holiday cheer, a small reminder that someone back on shore is thinking of them.
1,009 giftsChristmas at Sea, Total
Every year, gifts go first to the ocean-going ships, whose crews are furthest from home for months at a time; towboat crews and local Coast Guard units share in what's left over.
6,540 gifts deliveredWhere We Stand Today
Our running total, and still growing with every ship that comes through the port.
9,887 seafarers servedFirst 5,000 Visitors
A major milestone we're still working toward, one crew and one visitor at a time.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors who helped make this possible.
See Our Sponsors
Our Board of Directors
Five volunteers who guide the mission; none of them draw a salary.
Rhonda Cummins
President
- •Retired Texas A&M Calhoun County Extension Agent
- •Member of North American Maritime Ministry Association
- •Certified Ship Welfare Visitor, Merchant Navy Welfare Board
- •Former USCG licensed 200-ton Master, near coastal with auxiliary sail endorsement, Able Seaman-Special, and Lifeboat-man
Kay McPherson
Vice President
- •Retired business owner and CEO of Quality Control Testing
- •Board of Directors, Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce
- •Former Alcoa Security Asset Control Investigations
- •Former Fireman/licensed paramedic
Tom Wise
Secretary/Treasurer
- •Retired scientist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Clay Center
- •Ship Welfare Visitor
- •Ranch owner
- •Former volunteer for the International Crane Foundation and Texas Sea Grant
Raymond Butler
Member-at-Large
- •Marine Engineering Consultant, Operations and Construction
- •Registered Professional Engineer
- •Founded South Texas Towing
- •Former Vice President of Kirby Inland Marine and Hollywood Marine
Linda Meyer
Member-at-Large
- •Registered Nurse, BSN
- •Retired Director of Memorial Medical Center Home Health
- •Active member of Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, Port Lavaca