What Have You Done For Stamp Collecting?

I couldn't resist switching the topic back to us.

I freely discuss my interest in stamps to coworkers, family, friends, and other collectors. I try to figure out ways to broaden someones idea of what stamps collecting is. If I can show how stamps can strengthen other types of collections and how it is a viable piece of artwork. Heck I list stamp collecting on my Myspace, Facebook, Route 66 pages for all to see.

I have contributed two daughters and a stepson to the hobby.

I also speak and answer questions at the local Junior Stamp Club, and try to get the kids even more excited. So far, it's working.

I mercifully free stamps for album service by soaking them from poor or overabundant covers that no one wants, and euthanize damaged stamps that have bounced from one collector's box of junk to another collector's box of junk for decades.

I probably could have done more for stamps..during the past 35 years I have recruited numerous people into our little local stamp club..i do purchase stamps from various sources..stamp shows, the internet,our club auction, the APS circuit books...i try to spread the gospel as best I can..not knocking on doors like a well you know who they are...

As a scout leaders we have introduced numerous young people to the hobby, If only a few remain collectors then great ! I also have my two sons interested in collecting and each is pursuing their own specialized collection in different areas. My daughter comes and goes with her interest, she always wants to see my "new" stamps, so I stay encouraged

I remember when I obtained my Stamp Collecting Merit Badge on the way to Eagle Scout. Are you by chance doing a Stamp Collecting Merit Badge for your troop?

I even went to Flag Plaza in Pittsburgh to sign the Eagle Scout book.
http://www.gpc-bsa.org/AllAboutUs/FlagPlaza.asp

I have a personal goal to acquire the largest collection of used USA stamps. This would be my small part at stamp preservation. Will I ever do it? Who knows I'm young and I can never pass up a great deal on US kilos.

They say Pres. FDR had one of the largest collections of fillers or junk stamps when he died. That is about the only thing I have in common with the man. I know I have about 3 pounds of junk stamps that I just could not part with.

I have contributed one daughter to the cause, crazycat. She makes the 4th generation collector in my family. I have also been letting her daughter(21 months old), my granddaughter, sit on my lap and help me sort stamps by putting them in piles. She is always so very careful when she helps me. I am hoping she will remember this as she gets older and will also be a collector.

rockin

Congrats to all of you and your great work within the stamp collecting community. I was a boy scout, but did not make it to Eagle just Life. The stamp collecting & coin collecting merit badges were a piece of cake for me.

Aside from inroducing hundreds of boys to stamp collecting in the 18+ years I was a Boy Scout, I currently:

- run the Youth Booth at ORAPEX
- sit on the organising Show Committee for ORAPEX 2009
- serve as the Vice-President of the Ottawa Philatelic Society (OPS)
- recruit at least one new member per year to the APS, ATA, and OPS
- donate to the ATA
- speak to people about my hobby
- mentor two young men in the hobby

David