Stamp out Trachoma Trachoma-free Australia
Stamp out Trachoma Trachoma-free Australia
Easy fund raising, can you help?
A great example of support for Rotary’s “End Trachoma in Australiacampaign comes from Carrol Farmer of Glen Waverley RC and what she calls her “Philatelic Garbology”.
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Each year Carrol raises about $7000 by selling bulk used stamps to dealers. At 80, she’s now raised $103,000 since 1990. “I was going to retire at $100,000 but the stamps kept coming in to us,” says Carrol, who was amazed to be honoured with a Paul Harris with three rubies from Rotary.
But the game’s getting tougher because of email usage, she says. The Rotary Club of Winnipeg, Charleswood decided to help by collecting stamps and sending periodically to Australia. Rotarians and others can help by collecting and donating used stamps. Club member, Nancy Hansen, coordinates the collection of stamps and delivering to Carrol.
There are many potential sources. Nancy suggests small businesses, clinics, schools and colleges. You need to persuade them it’s a worthwhile cause, as it means extra work for the mail-room or secretaries.
Carrol’s big asset is long –standing relationships with reputable stamp dealers and private buyers. Few people realise there is a global trade in bulk stamps -- Melbourne dealers alone despatch bulk stamps overseas by the container-load. “We get best prices by trimming the waste paper and sorting the stamps into local, foreign, $1.00 and under $1. We have no idea who the dealers sell them to, or why anyone would want them. We just get paid and help good causes,” she says. Her dealers will also buy neglected stamp albums – Olympic swimmer Susie O’Neill donated all her childhood albums.
Most Rotary clubs in her District 9810 are keen supporters, along with Mt Gambier SA, Benalla Vic, Belmont WA, Noorlunga East, SA and even a club in Winnipeg , Canada.
Her stamps have funded causes ranging from living aids for blind and palsied children to polio and malaria drives. Her $13,000 for the Fred Hollows Foundation has financed restored sight to 420 eyes. One year she financed a mine detector for Cambodia.
For more information, contact Dr. Nancy Hansen at hansnan60@hotmail.com