Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Love, the postal way


Communities all over America have used Valentine's Day cards as a way to help spread a little love.
A few of these communities include Loveland, CO, 80538, Valentine, NE, 69201; Romance, AR, 72136; Loving, New Mexico 88256; Romeo, Michigan 48065 and Juliette, Georgia 31046. 
Loveland has one of the largest remailing programs around and it is now it's 65th year. More than 150,000 cards/letters are handled by Loveland each year, from more than 50 countries and all 50 states. More than 12 million valentines have been re-mailed since the program  first started over decades ago
What's unique to the Loveland remailing is that the entire community comes up with a special pictorial postmark. This year's postmark reads: "A Sweetheart City grand tradition; 65 years ago formed a vision; Valentine notes sent from the heart; Spanning all distance and time apart." This postmark is applied to the front of each valentine envelope and postcard, along with a love verse. 
What if you could design a special Valentine's cancellation, what would it look like and what would it say? Attached is the postmark that will be sprayed on letters across the nation.
To have valentines re-mailed with the Loveland postmark, enclose your pre-stamped, pre-addressed envelopes (envelopes should each have 44-cent postage; postcards should have 28-cents postage.)Letters sent to foreign countries should have that country’s First-Class letter postage. Add extra stamps/postage for heavier/odd shaped and square valentines.
Then mail in a large stamped envelope or package with postage to:  
Postmaster, Valentine Re-mailing
446 E. 29th St.
Loveland, CO 80538

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