CONTENTS

The Postal Bulletin is also available on the World Wide Web at http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/pb.htm for customers and at http://blue.usps.gov for employees.

Letter from Vice President: National Stamp
Collecting Month

Publicity Kit: National Stamp Collecting Month

Administrative Services

Correction: Facility Safety Coordinator Training
Course - Correct PSIN

Directives and Forms Update

Customer Relations

Mail Alert

2001 International and Military Mail Christmas
Dates Poster

Domestic Mail

DMM Revision: Return Addresses on Bound
Printed Matter

DMM Revision: Labeling List Changes

DMM Revision: New DMM Subject Index

Notice: Consolidation of Rates and Classification
Service Centers

Clarification: Commercial Mail Receiving Agency
(CMRA) - August 1, 2001, Compliance Date
for Addressing Standards

Notice: Temporary Embargo on Acceptance of
Live Animals for Mailing, Including Day-Old
Poultry

APO/FPO Changes

Finance

Handbook F-1 Revision: AIC Changes -
Reporting Sale of Unwanted Items

Handbook F-1 Revision: AIC Changes -
Reporting Vending Credit Audit Shortages

New Federal Tax Withholding Calculator
Available on IRS Web Site

Federal Tax Calculation on Lump Sum
Payments

Handbook F-1 Revision: Business Reply Mail and Postage Due

International Mail

IMM Revision: International Mail - Mailing to Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Pakistan, and Serbia-Montenegro (Yugoslavia)

ICM Update: International Customized Mail

ICM Update: International Customized Mail

ICM Update: International Customized Mail

ICM Update: International Customized Mail

ICM Update: International Customized Mail

ICM Update: International Customized Mail

Fraud Alert

Withholding of Mail Orders

Domestic Orders

Invalid Express Mail Corporate Account
Numbers

Missing, Lost, or Stolen U.S. Money Order
Forms

Missing, Lost, or Stolen Canadian Money Order
Forms

Counterfeit Canadian Money Order Forms 54

800 Number Available to Verify Canadian Money
Orders

International Mail (continued)

Philately

Stamped Envelopes That Will Remain on General
Sale

Pictorial Cancellation: "That's all Folks!"

Stamp Stock Items Withdrawn From Regular Sale
and From Sale at Philatelic Centers

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

Special Cancellation Die Hubs

Post Offices

Notice and Correction: Proper Identification of
Damaged Mail Transport Equipment Rolling
Stock

Notice and Correction: Removal of Trash From
Mail Transport Equipment

Notice: Publication 286, PCC Program

Requirements Related to Conduct on Postal
Service Property: Prohibition Against Soliciting Signatures

Mover's Guide News: Mover's Guide - September-December 2001, Volume 23 Now
Available

Post Office Changes

Purchasing and Materials

Announcement: Custodial Products National
Contracts Awarded

Retail

What's in Store

Postal Bulletin Distribution

New DMM Subject Index

Postal Bulletin Index

Semiannual Index PB 22055 (7-26-01)

[D-Link]

PUBLICITY KIT

National Stamp Collecting Month

Publicity Ideas to Interest the Media

October Is National Stamp Collecting Month - Stamp Collecting: Your Passport to the World and "That's All Folks!"

Local media will be interested in National Stamp Collecting Month (NSCM) events. Here are ways you can capture a reporter's attention:

Note: NSCM events can be planned with the That's All Folks! stamp ceremonies. Although your event can raise awareness about the Looney Tunes stamps, please ensure that NSCM is the primary focus.

· Celebrate with employees and their families, stamp collecting club members, school children, and congressional, civic, and community leaders. Establish a different stamp theme for each week in October. Construct an exhibit focusing on U.S. stamps you offer customers that represent places or people of the world, animals, natural systems (such as the Great Plains Prairie), music, movie stars, science, international celebrations, or cartoon characters loved around the world, such as Porky Pig. Consider asking customers to share their stamps from other nations in your exhibit.

· Encourage the media to cover photo opportunities on exhibit opening day. To accompany the article about NSCM, the media can take pictures of employees and community members setting up the exhibit.

· Invite local children to create a passport for themselves and design a stamp for each "destination" in the passport. Host a contest and have local customers select the winners. Winners can be awarded stamp-collecting materials. Children, parents, students, and teachers can create their own stamp passport. (See the handout "Make Your Own Stamp Passport Guide" on page 6.)

· Encourage schools to establish a "pen pal" program with children in similar-sized towns in other nations to exchange greetings and stamps around the globe.

· Advertise NSCM in your community. Give presentations and workshops to local elementary schools, library reading clubs, and community organizations. Reach out to customers representing the diversity of cultures in your community. Partner with local philatelic organizations that may sponsor local stamp collecting fairs or exhibits. Offer to speak at events, conduct workshops, or organize volunteers from among your staff to help.

· Encourage teachers in local schools to have children search the Postal Service Web site at http://www.usps.com to find stamps representing places in the U.S. and the world. Have them make a list of these stamps and decorate the list with their favorite stamp image. Award the winner of the students with the most "found" stamps.

· Encourage local elementary school groups or youth groups to tour your Post Office for a behind-the- scenes view of how stamps are cancelled and how mail is sorted and delivered to international destinations.

· Help local after-school programs set up stamp collecting clubs. Ask a local stamp collector to set up a display of stamp collecting tools and philatelic materials, such as tongs, magnifier, perforation gauge, albums, first day covers, and so forth. Go online to the American Philatelic Society's Web site at http://www.stamps.org to find local chapters and affiliates that might be willing to help.

· Begin a "Start Collecting Stamps" box. Set up a large box or fishbowl where customers can put used stamps. Make a sign inviting anyone who wants to become a collector to take a stamp from the box.

· Set up a "Stamp Swap" bulletin board where stamp collectors can post their wish lists, trade collecting information, and announce club meetings.

Implement any of these ideas, combine them, or brainstorm with your employees and come up with your own ideas. Please publicize each event to your local newspaper and to radio and television stations using press releases, media advisories, and letters to the media contained in this publicity kit. Don't forget to make follow-up telephone calls.

Event Planning Checklist

When planning National Stamp Collecting Month events, keep the following suggestions in mind:

· Begin planning immediately.

· Set a date (anytime after October 1, 2001).

· Secure participants, including employees, local politicians, teachers, librarians, philatelic experts, stamp clubs, and so on.

· Order blow-ups of the stamp image, flyers, and other supplies for the event.

· Prepare the special pictorial cancellation provided in this kit.

· Secure staging and sound equipment, if applicable.

· Plan signage, including a podium sign and banners.

· Launch a local publicity campaign using the materials in this kit.

· Draft a sequence-of-events agenda and speaker remarks.

· Plan retail opportunities (booths, bag stuffers, etc.).

· Prepare ceremony programs and invitations, if applicable.

Pictorial Cancellation

The Postal Service has authorized a pictorial can- cellation design for field use to help spread awareness about National Stamp Collecting Month and the That's All Folks! commemorative stamp. Post Offices planning events are encouraged to use the design depicted on page 6. Offices can offer this cancellation through mail-back service for 60 days.

As a reminder, the Postal Service must endeavor to make all unusual postmarking services widely known to collectors through advance publicity to avoid limiting the availability of these postmarks. Therefore, all pictorial cancellations must be reported to Stamp Development 3 weeks prior to local events. Please use the announcement form on page 7 to report your use of the cancellation.

To finalize the pictorial cancellation art, insert the date and the city, state, and ZIP Code of the physical location of your event adjacent to the stamp image. Refer to the original/unfinished and final art on page 6. Overall dimensions of the pictorial cancellation must not exceed 4 inches horizontally by 2 inches vertically. Collectors prefer the dimensions 3 ½ inches by 1 inch.

Stamp Artwork

To purchase stamp artwork for the That's All Folks! commemorative stamp, including color transparencies and enlargements, contact Andy Tuttle or Lori Lipkind of Dodge Color, Inc., at:

Dodge Color, Inc.
4827 Rugby Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814-3034

301-656-0025

Please plan ahead to allow enough time for production and shipping.

TEACHER/PARENT HANDOUT

Make Your Own Stamp Passport Guide

Baseball, boats, birds, and bridges are just a few of the many things you'll find pictured on stamps. Some stamps picture famous people; others introduce you to the customs, history, animals, landmarks, or plants from around the world. Stamps also come in many shapes, sizes, and colors! Choose to show stamps from one country, a special topic like sports, or specific details, like triangular or circle stamps from around the world.

To create your own passport just follow the simple instructions below to enjoy a unique stamp exhibit.

Materials Needed:

Paper. Gather blank sheets of 8 1/2" x 11" paper to use for pages in your passport or album.

Stamps. Did you know you can buy bags of inexpensive stamps from some dealers and at stamp shows? Or, use your imagination and design your own stamps to create pictures of the destinations you have selected for your passport.

Design Pages. Design and print passport pages to fit your ideas. If you have a computer at your disposal, use it to create your unique style. Explore a variety of borders for your pages on the computer, or at your school or public library. Usually your choices are a line border, or border art. Pick a border to suit your mood and your stamp topic. Remember to place your border slightly to the right to allow for holes to be punched on the left side so you can place your finished pages in a 3-ring binder for easy display.

Diagram Pages. The whole idea is to use the page to highlight the stamps you have created or purchased. Look at the picture size of the stamps and get a ruler. Pick the first stamp you want to place on the page and measure the stamp. Leave about a 1/4" space between the stamp and the border. Draw a box the size of the stamp with the 1/4" spacing. Again, you can use something fancy, or just a simple line. Continue to add stamp boxes until you are happy with the layout of the page.

Add Text. Add words to finish the page. At the top you will need some kind of title, so pick one that best describes your topic. Then, add explanations underneath the stamp boxes.

That's all there is to it. Your imagination is the only limiting factor, so go wild and build a passport to the world with your very own stamp album.

Remember, this is your passport, so have some fun!

Speech Segment

[For use at local ceremonies and events to support National Stamp Collecting Month.]

Thank you and welcome.

[THIS MONTH/TODAY] we celebrate the hobby of stamp collecting - the most popular hobby in the world.

Through the decades, stamp collecting has become an American passion and a favorite pastime for all ages.

This year, the Postal Service's theme for National Stamp Collecting Month is Stamp Collecting: Your Passport to the World.

We are focusing on all of our stamp collectors - those who have been collecting for years and those who are new to the hobby. We also encourage children to become involved in this fascinating pastime...so that they too can join us in our travels around the world through postage stamps.

Stamp collecting opens the door to an exciting world of history, geography, the arts, technology, and sports. Stamps can introduce us to heads of state and soldiers who changed the course of history. Or they can spotlight cartoon characters, like Porky Pig, or glamorous movie stars.

Perhaps one of the best things about stamp collecting is that it's an affordable hobby that will last a lifetime.

There is a story behind each commemorative stamp - stories that can take us to exotic places or allow us to meet famous people. Who knows what wonder of the world or far-off land we will encounter next!

Learning about our history and our forefathers through stamps can help us learn more about our nation and our world. Stamps can also take us back in time and help us relive moments in the past - moments that we cherish.

For more than 200 years the Postal Service has been a shining example of a public service institution that American people have come to rely on and trust. The acceptance, handling, and delivery of the daily mail binds the nation together like no other communications medium.

But in many ways, it's the commemorative stamp program that best connects the Postal Service with the American people.

Since the first commemorative was issued more than 100 years ago, stamps have marked the historic milestones, the fundamental principles, and the extraordinary achievements that have made our nation what it is today.

This month, children of all ages will be participating in National Stamp Collecting Month activities around the country. This year's National Stamp Collecting Month will be the 21st annual event since its inception in 1981.

I want to thank each and everyone one of you in the audience who are collectors and those who are considering starting this wonderful hobby. Stamp collecting can begin at any age. For the young or the just young at heart, it's a passport to the world that delivers satisfaction for years to come. And you don't need an expensive plane ticket or a cabin aboard a cruise ship to set off on your own personal trip of fun and adventure. Let stamps be your guide!

Thanks to all of you for joining us here today.

Suggested Public Relations Timeline

(Note: If you have questions or need assistance with any of these items, please contact your area's Public Affairs and Communications representative.)

Contact Information for Media Interviews

A number of national philatelic organizations, stamp clubs, stamp design experts, and Postal Service coordinators for children's stamp collecting programs are available to provide your local media with interesting information for their National Stamp Collecting Month articles.

Please contact your area Public Affairs and Communications managers for assistance with such requests. Their names and phone numbers are provided on page 8.

Area Public Affairs and Communications Managers

Ralph Stewart
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Allegheny Area/U.S. Postal Service
615 Chestnut Street, 15th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404
215-931-5054

Jim Mruk
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Great Lakes Area/U.S. Postal Service
244 Knollwood Drive, 4th Floor
Bloomingdale, IL 60117-2208
630-539-6565

Irene Lericos
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Mid-Atlantic Area/U.S. Postal Service
10320 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 308
Columbia, MD 21044-5210
410-715-0071

Burt St. John
Acting Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Midwest Area/U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 66608
St Louis, MO 63166-6608
314-692-5502

Debra Hawkins
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Northeast Area/U.S. Postal Service
6 Griffin Road North
Windsor, CT 06006-9876
860-285-7265

Diane Todd
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
NY Metro Area/U.S. Postal Service
421 Eighth Avenue Room 5114
New York, NY 10199-9681
212-330-3118

Dan De Miglio
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Pacific Area (North)/U.S. Postal Service
390 Main Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94105-8000
415-536-6490

David Mazer
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Pacific Area (South)/U.S. Postal Service
7001 S Central Avenue, Room 364A
Los Angeles, CA 90052-9641
323-586-1212

Earl C. Artis, Jr.
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Southeast Area/U.S. Postal Service
225 N Humphrey Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38166-0832
901-747-7544

Robert S. Bolen
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Southwest Area/U.S. Postal Service
7800 N Stemmons Freeway, Suite 450
Dallas, TX 75247-4220
214-819-8710

Scott Budny
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Western Area/U.S. Postal Service
1745 Stout Street, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80299-7500
303-313-5130

LETTER TO LOCAL EDITOR

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME, TITLE]

[INSERT NAME OF PUBLICATION]

[INSERT STREET ADDRESS]

[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

Stamp collecting has long been one of the most popular hobbies in the world. At a time when so many parents are seeking activities to share with their children, many of us overlook one of the most popular and educational hobbies - stamp collecting. Collecting stamps is an interactive hobby that parents and children can work on as a team. Stamp collecting is also an activity that can be passed along to future generations.

To celebrate National Stamp Collecting Month in October, the [INSERT CITY] Post Office will be unveiling a new commemorative stamp featuring Porky Pig. Throughout the month, the Postal Service will be encouraging people of all ages in [INSERT CITY] to start or add to their stamp collections. We will be sponsoring community events including [LIST ACTIVITIES, STARTING TIMES, LOCATIONS, PARTICIPANTS, AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES].

Stamp collecting is a fun, educational, and inexpensive way for children to learn about the historic people, places, and events printed on stamps each year. Through stamp collecting, children can glimpse some of the highlights in American and world history.

We encourage everyone in [INSERT CITY] to join us for a fun-filled October while we celebrate National Stamp Collecting Month, and we look forward to continuing to serve our wonderful community by providing top quality service.

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Public Invited to Participate in Celebration of National Stamp Collecting Month;
New Stamp Will Be Unveiled in [INSERT CITY] on [INSERT DATE]

[INSERT CITY] postmaster [INSERT NAME] invites everyone to [INSERT LOCATION] to participate in activities surrounding the U.S. Postal Service's celebration of National Stamp Collecting Month on [INSERT DATE] from [INSERT TIME] to [INSERT TIME].

On that day children and adults will discover that stamp collecting is fun, is exciting, and can be "your passport to the world." Activities include [DESCRIBE ACTIVITIES].

Come take a moment to discover the wonderful world of stamp collecting. It is a fun and educational way to learn about the historic people, places, and events printed on U.S. postage stamps each year. So join the community celebration at [INSERT LOCATION] on [INSERT DATE].

- end -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

[INSERT CITY] Celebrates National Stamp Collecting Month Starting October 1

[INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE] - Children and adults have an opportunity to join other stamp collectors across the country in a salute to the world's most popular hobby when the U.S. Postal Service celebrates National Stamp Collecting Month with the issuance of the That's All Folks! commemorative stamp on October 1.

The nationwide celebration comes to [INSERT CITY] with a special ceremony scheduled for [INSERT TIME OF EVENT] on [INSERT DATE] at the [INSERT NAME OF POST OFFICE, LIBRARY, OR SCHOOL WHERE EVENT IS HELD].

[INSERT EVENT AGENDA]

"Stamps are fascinating for adults as well as children. They offer a lifelong educational experience and an opportunity for friends and family to share in a relaxing leisure-time activity," said Postmaster [INSERT FIRST AND LAST NAME]. "Stamp collecting can be your passport to the world."

[INSERT QUOTE FROM VIP PARTICIPANT]

Fueled by growing interest in recent popular stamp issues like Peanuts, Baseball's Legendary Playing Fields, Looney Tunes, and Love Letters, the 8-12 age group has become the largest participating group in National Stamp Collecting Month and is considered one of the fastest growing segments of stamp collectors in the United States.

Become a Stamp Collector! It's Easy!

Tips for collecting stamps:

1. Get some stamps! Any Post Office has new stamps. Most Post Offices will have some of the latest stamps issued like Peanuts, Baseball's Legendary Playing Fields, Looney Tunes, and Love Letters. There are also the American Illustrators, Pan American Inverts, and the Black Heritage series highlighting Roy Wilkins. It's also easy to order stamps from the U.S. Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com/shop, or call toll-free 1 800 STAMP-24 (that's 1-800-782-6724).

Other ways to get stamps are to trade with friends, ask family members or neighbors for stamps from old letters or postcards, visit a stamp dealer, or check stamp collecting sites on the Internet. There are also stamp shows where people come from all over the country to add to their collections.

2. Organize your collection. Stamp collections often express a person's unique personality. Some collectors choose stamps from all over the world or from just one country. Others pick specific topics, like animals, sports, or history.

3. Protect and display your collection. Every collector has a special way of protecting stamps. For individual stamps or stamp panes, consider a stamp album or three-ring binder. Don't tape or glue stamps. Instead, slip them into specially designed plastic pages with pockets. Or if the album has paper pages, use hinges or mounts.

You can create a stamp collection about almost anything. Let the stamps be your guide!

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [INSERT YOUR NAME]
[INSERT DATE] [INSERT YOUR PHONE NUMBER]
Internet: www.usps.com

MEDIA ADVISORY

Local Children Focus on Stamp Collecting When Nationwide Celebration
Comes to [INSERT YOUR CITY]

EVENT: Unveiling of the That's All Folks! commemorative postage stamp and celebration of October as National Stamp Collecting Month. [CHANGE OR ADD TO THIS INFO IF YOUR EVENT IS DIFFERENT, BUT KEEP IT SHORT

WHO: [LIST ONLY DIGNITARIES, KEY POSTAL SERVICE OFFICIALS, AND ANY
WELL-KNOWN SPECIAL GUESTS PARTICIPATING AND/OR ATTENDING EVENT]

WHAT: [DESCRIBE WHAT MAKES THE EVENT NEWSWORTHY - LIST ANY ENTERTAINMENT, REFRESHMENTS, SALES, ETC.]

WHEN: [INSERT HOUR, DAY, AND DATE]

WHERE: [INSERT EXACT LOCATION OF EVENT]

BACKGROUND: This year is the 21st anniversary of National Stamp Collecting Month. The theme for 2001 is "Stamp Collecting: Your Passport to the World!" The That's All Folks! stamp is featured in 2001.

CONTACT: [LIST AREA PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE'S OR POSTMASTER'S NAME AND PHONE NUMBER]

# # #

Day after the event:

LETTER TO LOCAL NEWSPAPER EDITOR THANKING RESIDENTS FOR SUPPORT

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME]

[INSERT JOB TITLE]

[INSERT NAME OF NEWSPAPER]

[INSERT STREET ADDRESS]

[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

I want to thank the citizens of [INSERT CITY NAME] for their enthusiasm and support in making yesterday's National Stamp Collecting Month celebration such a successful event for our community and for the U.S. Postal Service.

Our nation's commemorative stamp program has been developed over the past 100 years largely through the participation of the American people. Their stamp ideas and suggestions are instrumental in helping the Postal Service honor some of the greatest achievements and achievers that have made our country great.

Stamp collecting is a fun, educational, and inexpensive way for children and adults to learn about the historic people, places, and events printed on stamps each year. Through stamp collecting, you can glimpse some highlights in American and world history.

Again, thanks to everyone in our community who participated in our National Stamp Collecting Month celebration. We hope all of you enjoyed discovering that stamp collecting can be your passport to the world. And the fun and adventure have just begun!

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Participation of Public Officials

National Stamp Collecting Month events are a perfect opportunity to involve elected public officials in an important and positive local event. They are likely to have a keen interest in the event, as it provides elected representatives a chance to interact with constituents in a friendly, civic setting with secured media coverage.

You are encouraged to reach out directly to your federal, state, and local elected officials. Government Relations representatives from the Postal Service are available to assist you in coordinating involvement of government officials.

Following are simple guidelines, sample letters, a suggested invitation list, and the names and telephone numbers of your Government Relations contacts.

Before the Event

Send a written invitation (see sample) 4 to 6 weeks before the event to your two U.S. senators, your congressional representatives, your state governor, and the mayor of your community. Please include any other local elected officials who are appropriate. The local postmaster should sign the invitations.

Follow up the written invitation with a telephone call to the elected official's scheduler within a week if you have not received a reply. You may need to call more than once.

Keep in touch with all elected officials who respond. If asked, provide updated information to the elected official's staff as it becomes available (e.g., other participants, where and when to meet, what his or her role will be, etc.). Emphasize that remarks should be brief and limited to the unveiling of the That's All Folks! stamp and recognition of the role the U.S. Postal Service plays in sponsoring National Stamp Collecting Month.

Include names of all participating elected officials on the official program as honored guests and mention them in all media advisories.

Provide a courtesy copy of the program to the elected official in advance.

After the Event

Send a written thank-you letter (see sample) to all elected officials who participated in the ceremony, expressing your appreciation.

Provide copies of any newspaper articles about the event to their offices. Even though they might see those articles on their own, you can take the opportunity to remind them of the press coverage the event received.

Provide a supply of extra cachets with the special cancellation, if applicable, to elected officials, even to those who could not attend. These make great give-away gifts and serve as a positive reminder of the event.

Obtain and frame a photo of the elected official posing beside the stamp images and make an appointment to present it in person, if possible. A matted, well-framed photograph stands a good chance of being hung on the wall of the official's office, again serving as a positive reminder of the event.

Keep in touch with your elected officials. Good relationships are built over time.

SAMPLE INVITATION TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME, TITLE]

[INSERT NAME OF ORGANIZATION]

[INSERT STREET ADDRESS]

[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

Employees of the [INSERT NAME] Post Office invite you to be an honored guest at a special ceremony celebrating National Stamp Collecting Month on [INSERT DATE] at [INSERT TIME]. During that ceremony, the Postal Service will unveil the That's All Folks! commemorative stamp, which has been issued to help kick off the month.

The U.S. Postal Service values its role as a community leader, and we believe America's commemorative stamp program gives us an opportunity to connect with our customers in a very personal and entertaining way. During our ceremony, children and adults alike will have an opportunity to discover that stamp collecting is fun, is exciting, and can become their "passport to the world."

National Stamp Collecting Month in October has been held annually since 1981 with the intention of encouraging people - particularly children - to explore the hobby of stamp collecting.

At the stamp unveiling ceremony, you will be invited to say a few words about how stamps recognize many important people, places, and events. We expect significant press coverage of the ceremony and a good-sized crowd, including families, school groups, and civic organizations.

We hope you will join us for our stamp unveiling and special National Stamp Collecting Month celebration. Please confirm your participation by calling [INSERT NAME OF CONTACT] at [INSERT TELEPHONE NUMBER] as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

SAMPLE THANK-YOU LETTER TO PUBLIC

OFFICIALS

[INSERT DATE]

[INSERT NAME, TITLE]

[INSERT NAME OF ORGANIZATION]

[INSERT STREET ADDRESS]

[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Dear [INSERT TITLE AND NAME]:

On behalf of the United States Postal Service, I want to thank you for joining us during our special ceremony celebrating National Stamp Collecting Month and the unveiling of the That's All Folks! commemorative postage stamp. It was a wonderful event for [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY], and your participation helped make it a success.

All of us in the Postal Service are extremely proud of the role our organization has played as a community leader and in commemorating many of the people, places, and events that have made our country great. The stamp unveiling ceremony was a wonderful way for us to share the hobby of stamp collecting with our friends, neighbors, children, and customers here in [INSERT NAME OF COMMUNITY]. I am enclosing 10 copies of our special cancellation [IF APPLICABLE] for you to share with your constituents, as well as copies of press clippings and photographs that recorded the event [IF APPLICABLE].

The Postal Service will continue to provide reliable, cost-effective service to our customers through the ongoing development of our world-class communications network. I look forward to working with you on future community events. If I can be of assistance with any Postal Service matter, please contact me at [INSERT TELEPHONE NUMBER].

Sincerely,

[SIGN]

[INSERT POSTMASTER'S NAME]
Postmaster
U.S. Postal Service
[INSERT CITY, STATE, ZIP+4]

Government Relations Contacts

We can help! Your Government Relations representatives are here to serve you. As you plan your National Stamp Collecting Month events - or any special civic event - please let us know.

Representative Listing

Note: Area code and prefix for all extensions is 202-268-XXXX.

- Community Relations,Public Affairs and Communications, 9-6-01