Stamp R Us - A Novel Idea to Engage Youthful Collectors

Stacie Chan quotes Sequoia Stamp Club President Jim Giacomazzi. on the Redwood City, CA Patch website as saying, "“There may be a time when stamps don’t exist. It’s discouraging, but you can’t stop progress.”

According to the article, stamp clubs around the area have been closing, including the 46-year-old Sunnyvale Stamp Society that met twice a month. The Sequoia Stamp Club, in contrast, has been lucky enough to enjoy a steady membership since 1947 and has come up with a novel idea to engage young people in the hobby.

"Rather than fighting for time in hectic teens’ schedules, the Stamp Club created a youth organization, Stamps R Us, that makes stamp collecting easy for the average busy student," Chan says.

Darlene Hickok, the Stamps R Us Chair, said it’s a “learn by mail” club. Members in Stamps R Us range from 6 to 17 years old, all with their own set of activities.  Ironically, the Stamp Club mails the 35 members various stamps and the hinge tongs [sic] to place them in their books.

“Parents really appreciate this so their kids can do it on their own time and they don’t have to drive them to a meeting place,” Hickok said.

Shown above, 1974 stamp from Romania.

To read the entire article, click here.