Stamps For Missions
Help Wanted:
Since 1997 Lutheran Women in Mission across the Northern Illinois District have been clipping, sorting and sending in cancelled postage stamps. You can, too. Just send your trimmed cancelled postage stamps to us or bring them to any NID LWML event. Then, we send them to auction in batches for sale by weight to collectors and club auctions. 90% of the money raised goes towards our mission grants. In 2008, we have collected $255.34 for missions. We have raised over $5,800.00 total.
(as of June 30, 2004)
Do Not save common, air mail, postage due, pre-sort or other small-size stamps unless they are $1 or more.
Do save all foreign stamps.
Do save all commemorative stamps (larger than standard size).
Do save all stamps with a value of $1 or more.
Do save entire postcards.
Do Not pull, soak, or otherwise take stamps off the paper.
Do Not re-glue stamps.
Do Not save torn or creased stamps, or stamps with damaged perforations.
Do Not save stamps on red or green envelopes.
Stamps in albums, older postcards and envelopes (from 1930 or earlier) and first day covers should be sent as they are.
It is very helpful if you can trim and sort the stamps before bringing them to meetings.
Remember: Cut the stamps from the envelopes with a margin of no less than 1/4 inch around the stamp. This provides a "handling area" for the collector. (Trimmed too closely the stamp may be damaged and become worthless.)
Sort into plastic bags marked "Foreign", "Commemorative", "High Value", or (If you are not sure about a category) "Mixed".
Non-LWML'ers please send stamps to: LWML Stamp Coordinator, 1104 North 10th Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160-3504
