First Stamps, Inc., a domestic educational non-profit, has no political, religious or ethnic affiliation, yet was started through volunteers at Ronald McDonald House (since 1985) that wanted to provide hobby care to families staying there.   Since 2011, FIRST STAMPS has then sponsored Stamp Nights, food, and support of family collecting at a dozen RMH locations on the West Coast.

First Stamps has volunteered to teach elective courses in Stamp Collecting at local schools and has delivered 2000 pounds of stamps to 154 public school districts across the US in the past three years.

When someone wants a stamp collection sold to benefit a specific charity, FIRST STAMPS has stepped in, rendered assistance, and offered consignment options and advice.   Two years ago Silver Sage Council consigned nine such bags of old letters and received all $6,900 in proceeds from the sale.  FIRST STAMPS donated free shipping from Wyoming and refused any income from the sale.

 

FIRST STAMPS has hosted events at Museums in Idaho, Libraries in Oregon and California, and rural initiatives in Alaska and Canada.   We’ve also exchanged and/or delivered stamps with dozens of orphanages and/or youth stamp clubs in China, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Ireland and Canada.

 

A truly ecumenical non-profit, we have 47 vetted volunteers for either Shriner’s Life Services, Ronald McDonald Houses, our BSA Merit Badge Program accredited by theNational Council, American Heritage Girls, Pathfinders, the Smithsonian, Museums, Public Libraries, Private Schools, Churches, Elks, Rotary, Easter Seals, US Navy Family Services,  Sea Scouts and Community Centers primarily on the West Coast.

FIRST STAMP volunteers have provided public educational support at Tualatin/Tigard Public School Pioneer Days, Fremont Street Fest in Gresham, along with philatelic events in Vernonia, Newberg and Portland.    Our volunteers have participated in educational events on Cruise Ships from Alaska to Mexico.  In 2016 our top Mother & FIRST STAMPS were honored as front row VIP’s at the WOMEN’S EXPO and our top Father has been named the ALL-PRO Dad for Portland, Oregon by NFL Charities.