The U.S. Postal Service® began celebrating the 2015 Special Olympics World Games by issuing the Special Olympics World Games Forever® stamp on May 9, 2015.
As the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, the Special Olympics World Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 25–August 2. More than a half million spectators will enjoy nine days of challenging and inspiring international competition as more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries compete in 25 Olympic-type sports.
Postmasters are encouraged to conduct special stamp dedications as either “send-off” or “return” ceremonies for the 344 U.S. athletes. Visit http://specialolympicsusa.org/2015/athletes for the complete U.S. team listing. For assistance in reaching out to individual athletes, google “Special Olympics” and the name of the state to find a local contact.
This publicity kit contains all you need for promoting a successful event:
n Sample media advisory;
n Sample news release;
n Sample speech;
n Corporate Communications manager contact listing to assist with promoting local events; and
n Government Relations contacts for assistance with including elected officials in your event.
Poster-sized blowups of the Special Olympics World Games Forever stamps can be purchased through Colours Imaging, http://coloursimaging.com, by contacting Zach Scott at zscott@coloursinc.com or 703–379–1121.
Sample Media Advisory
Contact: Name
xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxxxx@usps.gov
usps.com/news
[Name] Post Office Celebrates
[Name of Competitor] Special Olympics Competitor
during Stamp Dedication Ceremony
WHAT: Special [send-off or return] stamp ceremony for Special Olympics World Games competitor [Name].
WHO: [Name of Special Olympics competitor]
[Name of postal official]
[Name of other officials]
WHEN: [Day, Date, Time]
WHERE: [Name of location]
[Street address]
[City, State, ZIP + 4]
BACKGROUND: [Provide background here on competitor and his/her sport.]
The first International Special Olympics Summer Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. More than 1,000 people from 26 U.S. states and Canada competed in track and field and swimming.
From those Games, a global movement was built that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities and helps lead to a more respectful and inclusive society for all.
Sample News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Name
Date xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxxxx@usps.gov
usps.com/news
Name Celebrated
With [Send-off/Return] Ceremony [To-From]
Special Olympics World Games
A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.
City, State — The [Name] Post Office held a celebration for [Town] resident [Name] with a [Send-off/return Ceremony To/From] the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles as part of a special dedication ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games Forever stamp.
[Name Will Compete/Competed] in the [Sports Activity] as part of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
[Quote from athlete here as to what it means to be included in the games and what the stamp communicates.]
[Short paragraph on the athlete’s background.]
[Quote from postal official here.]
As the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, the Special Olympics World Games [will be held or were held] in Los Angeles from July 25–Aug. 2. More than a half million spectators [will enjoy or enjoyed] nine days of challenging and inspiring international competition as more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries compete in 25 Olympic-type sports. The athletes include 344 from the United States. For the complete U.S. team listing, visit http://specialolympicsusa.org/2015/athletes.
Today, Special Olympics has grown to include nearly 5 million athletes worldwide. Every year, with the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics organizes more than 81,000 games and competitions. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will showcase what Special Olympics is accomplishing every day, around the world.
“The Postal Service is pleased to honor Special Olympics, an organization that — for nearly five decades — has changed the world by creating opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities,” said [Postal Official.] “In doing so, we honor the important work of Special Olympics, which uses sports as the catalyst for societal change in the areas of health, education, and in creating communities of acceptance and inclusion for people everywhere. Using these stamps on your cards, letters, and packages is a great way to show your support for these athletes.”
Joining [Postal Official] in the dedication ceremony were [title, name, title, name, etc.]
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice, and intolerance.
Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Visit Special Olympics at http://specialolympics.org. Engage with Special Olympics on:
n http://twitter.com/specialolympics;
n http://fb.com/specialolympics;
n http://youtube.com/specialolympicshq;
n http://instagram.com/specialolympics, and
n http://specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.
The Special Olympics World Games stamp has been issued as a Forever stamp. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Fifty million Special Olympics World Games Forever stamps were produced. Customers may purchase the stamps at http://usps.com/stamps, at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), and at Post Offices nationwide or visit http://ebay.com/stamps to shop for a wide variety of postage stamps and collectibles.
Philatelic Products
There are nine philatelic products for this stamp issue:
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472806, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $39.20 (print quantity 500).
472808, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $39.20
(print quantity 1,500).
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472810, Pane of 20 stamps included with the Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
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472816, First-Day Cover, $0.93.
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472821, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
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472824, Framed Art, $29.95.
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472830, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
472831, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
472832, Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark, $1.99.
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Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at http://facebook.com/uspsstamps, or via http://twitter.com/uspsstamps.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at http://usps.com/news/welcome.htm.
Reporters interested in speaking with regional Postal Service media contacts should go to http://about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.
Follow us on http://twitter.com/usps and like us at http://facebook.com/usps. For more information about the Postal Service, go to http://usps.com and http://usps.com/postalfacts.
Sample Speech
Remarks Prepared for [Postal Official]
Special Olympics: World Games Stamp Special Dedication Ceremony
[Location]
[City, State]
[Date, Time]
Good [morning/afternoon], everyone! And thank you for that kind introduction. [Or if not introduced, use the following self-intro.]
I’m [Name and Title] and I’m very happy to be here today for this special event.
It’s a tremendous honor to be here with all of you, and to pay tribute to [Name] who [will be competing/competed] in the Special Olympics World Games.
[Name] has worked so hard — and come so far — just to get here, so I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to [Him/Her]. [Turn and speak directly to honoree:] [Name], your achievements make us all proud that you’re from [Name Of Community/City] and we wish you the best of luck as you [compete in/return from] the Special Olympics World Games.
[Provide background on the athlete being recognized here.]
One of the privileges of my job in the United States Postal Service is to take part in ceremonies like these, and through our stamp program, to help shine a spotlight on important causes.
Today, the Postal Service is pleased to honor Special Olympics, an organization that — for five decades — has changed the world by creating opportunities for children and adults with intellectual challenges.
In doing so, we also honor Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose inspiration, leadership, and determination is, was, and always will be an essential part of what has become the world’s largest, and fastest-growing sports organization.
Not bad for what began as a summer day camp in Mrs. Shriver’s own backyard!
With nearly 5 (five) million athletes in more than 170 (“one hundred seventy”) countries, Special Olympics is uniting the world in friendship, courage, and respect. The Forever stamp that we present today serves as a tribute to this marvelous organization and the remarkable woman who started it all.
The new stamp features the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles logo and showcases the colors of the flags from participating countries.
The words “Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015” and “Forever/USA” also appear on the stamp.
And remember: These are Forever stamps, so they’ll always be good for First-Class Mail, even if postage rates change.
It’s a wonderful stamp, and we would like all of you to make the most of them by buying them, using them, and collecting them.
And most of all, we would love to see these new stamps displayed prominently on cards and letters!
What better way to show your support for Special Olympics USA than by using these new stamps on letters of encouragement to our athletes?
This past March, the Postal Service spearheaded a letter writing campaign to support the team before, during, and after the World Summer games, which [will take/took place] place in Los Angeles from July 25th through August 2nd.
Since then, we’ve been collecting thousands of letters from school children, families, and other members of the American public to our country’s athletes.
[Optional]
I’ve brought some of these letters here with me today, and I’d like to share a few of them with you:
[Read excerpts from letters addressed to athlete being recognized.]
With letters of support like that, the team can’t help but succeed in Los Angeles! [or:]: With letters of support like that, it’s not surprising that [Name] performed so well at the Games.
The new Special Olympics World Games stamps are perfect to use on your letters to the Special Olympics USA National Team — and all of your mail and packages.
And let them serve as a reminder that when we are given the chance, we can do extraordinary things.
So now, on behalf of the United States Postal Service, I would like to invite our special guests to join me as we present our Special Olympics World Games Forever stamp.
[Unveil stamp. Pose for photos.]
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Area Corporate Communications Managers
Please feel free to contact your area communications manager for assistance in promoting your event.
Capital Metro
George Maffett
Telephone: 301-548-1465
email: george.t.maffett@usps.gov
Eastern
Paul Smith
Telephone: 215-863-5055
email: paul.f.smith@usps.gov
Great Lakes
Ed Moore
Telephone: 313-225-5452
email: edward.r.moore@usps.gov
Pacific
Don Smeraldi
Telephone: 858-674-3149
email: don.a.smeraldi@usps.gov
Northeast
Maureen Marion
Telephone: 860-285-7029
email: maureen.p.marion@usps.gov
Southern
Polly Gibbs
Telephone: 214-819-8704
email: polly.j.gibbs@usps.gov
Western
John Friess
Telephone: 303-313-5130
email: john.g.friess@usps.gov
Congressional State Representative Listing
202.268.XXXX
— Stamp Services,
Marketing and Sales, 7-23-15
