Stamps

International Service Project for Girl Scouts

Cancelled postage stamps can be recycled to provide funds for the support of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting all over the world. A big THANK YOU! to those troops that have been participating in this project. For those that haven't, or are new troops, here is a repeat of the information on how to participate in an international project for Girl Scouts.

Collected stamps are now being sent to the INTERNATIONAL SCOUTS AND GUIDES FELLOWSHIP Stamp Bank. The ISGF (formerly known as the INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF SCOUTS AND GUIDES) Development Fund is generally based on income from the Stamp Bank. It supports the international Scout and Guide work throughout the world through specific projects or through support to training of leaders where it is most needed.

This project can be done for a week or a month or any time period suited to your troop program. The stamps should be gathered from mail received by families/friends of your troop. School vacations are a good time for collecting as are holiday periods (Christmas is a good example) when families receive more stamped mail.

The stamps must be left attached to the envelope paper and the paper should be trimmed ¼" larger than the stamps. Be sure girls do not trim too closely or cut into the stamps.

U.S. and foreign stamps of all denominations are welcome, but should be in good condition. Stamps cannot be torn or damaged but may show cancellation marks. Duplicates are fine! The self-stick stamps are O.K. too. (No flags, please.)

After doing the collecting and trimming activity, your troop may want to learn more about stamps. The girls might want to explore how the stamps are designed or printed, or about the countries they come from. Perhaps some will want to start a stamp collection or make crafts decorated with stamps. Your Post Office has materials and information to help get them started.

Packets of trimmed stamps may be mailed or taken to the Eugene, Oregon Council service center. A ziploc bag makes a good container.

For more information, contact Nancy at (541) 484-2437 or ngdraper@comcast.net