The Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center and the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce on Thursday declared victory in a short, furious fund-raising effort to get short-term aid to 218 Coast Guard families.

The Seafarers’ Center and Chamber last week set a $22,000 goal to get $100 gift cards to local Coast Guard members stationed at five sites in the Greater Port Arthur area who went without midmonth January paychecks because of a continuing, partial shutdown of the federal government, now more than a month old.

Most of those Coasties have remained on duty without pay, keeping watch over safety on the waters and helping keep commerce going on and around the Sabine Neches Waterway.

Doreen Badeaux of the Apostleship of the Sea said funds had reached $25,940 Thursday, and the Seafarers’ Center and Chamber were urging donors to send money to the Golden Triangle Chief Petty Officers Association.

Gifts cards were likely to be delivered Friday to the Coasties and their families.

Badeaux and the Rev. Sinclair Oubre, whose pastorship includes the Seafarers’ Center, said the goal of the Apostleship of the Sea is to aid the “welfare of people of the sea,” who include the Coast Guard.

He said the fund drive was “a special way to say thanks” to the Coast Guard, who protect boaters, shrimpers and others during times of dire stress — including Hurricanes Rita, Ike and Harvey.

Badeaux said talks between the chamber and the Seafarers’ Center were behind the fund that was launched Jan. 16 and nearly met goal two days later. She said additional funds were still arriving.

The Coast Guard limits such private aid to their members, although they said some restrictions have been eased because of the unusual circumstances related to the government shutdown.

“It’s amazing how much this community loves you,” she said to Coasties gathered at the Seafarers’ Center.

Coast Guard Chief Todd Smith said morale “remains high” and the Coast Guard appreciates the community’s efforts on their behalf.

Donations can be made to the Coast Guard effort by accessing the Golden Triangle Chief Petty Officers Facebook page or by calling CPOF treasurer Gregory Bailey at 409-223-8033.

Two fundraisers are planned this weekend:

• 10 a.m. Saturday at the Fire Museum Pavilion, 400 Walnut, Beaumont, for pulled pork sandwich meals. Pre-order at bpfflocal1399@gmail.com

• Benefit BBQ Lunch by the Golden Triangle Chief Petty Officers Association at the American Legion Post 493, 229 Nederland Ave., Nederland.