Easter Seals (1930s-1940s)
Title
Easter Seals (1930s-1940s)
Subject
Description
These stamps are examples of “seals” that were sold to benefit the Easter Seals (at the time, known as the National Society for Crippled Children) in the 1930s and 1940s. These colorful stamps allowed donors to show support and raise awareness through distribution.
For almost 90 years, the Easter Seals have served the needs of individuals with disabilities or special needs and their families. To date, they have helped over one million people. Their services include everything from medical rehabilitation to children’s services, and these efforts are made possible in part through fundraising campaigns.
The organization found its beginning in 1907, when an Ohio businessman, Edgar Allan, tragically lost his son in a streetcar accident. He recognized a lack of adequate medical care available, and took it upon himself to raise money for a hospital in his hometown of Elyria, Ohio. During the process, he discovered that disabled children were, more often than not, out of the public view. This prompted him to found the National Society for Crippled Children.
The first fundraising campaign was launched in the spring of 1934; donors received seals to affix to letters and envelopes, thereby showing their support and raising awareness. The modern symbol of the lily (chosen for its symbolism of new life and resurrection) was incorporated in 1952. The name of the organization was changed to “Easter Seals” in 1967.
Today, Easter Seals receives support from government agencies, private insurers, and fee-for-service. However, they still rely heavily on public contributions. The “seals” are still sold today and are mailed to more than 19 million households each year, raising nearly $14 million.
For almost 90 years, the Easter Seals have served the needs of individuals with disabilities or special needs and their families. To date, they have helped over one million people. Their services include everything from medical rehabilitation to children’s services, and these efforts are made possible in part through fundraising campaigns.
The organization found its beginning in 1907, when an Ohio businessman, Edgar Allan, tragically lost his son in a streetcar accident. He recognized a lack of adequate medical care available, and took it upon himself to raise money for a hospital in his hometown of Elyria, Ohio. During the process, he discovered that disabled children were, more often than not, out of the public view. This prompted him to found the National Society for Crippled Children.
The first fundraising campaign was launched in the spring of 1934; donors received seals to affix to letters and envelopes, thereby showing their support and raising awareness. The modern symbol of the lily (chosen for its symbolism of new life and resurrection) was incorporated in 1952. The name of the organization was changed to “Easter Seals” in 1967.
Today, Easter Seals receives support from government agencies, private insurers, and fee-for-service. However, they still rely heavily on public contributions. The “seals” are still sold today and are mailed to more than 19 million households each year, raising nearly $14 million.
Creator
Easter Seals
Date
1930s-1940s
Source
https://www.prestoimages.net/store30/rd3571/3571_pd123919_1.jpg
Relation
Link: Wikipedia
Rights
Source: About Us. (n.d.). Easter Seals. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://bit.ly/Q5IbIm.
For Further Exploration Please Visit http://www.easterseals.com
For Further Exploration Please Visit http://www.easterseals.com
Publisher
Easter Seals
Contributor
Easter Seals
Format
Medium: Postage Stamp.
Language
English
Type
Stamps
Identifier
Easter Seals, Disabilities, Disabled, Stamps, Medical Care, Medical Rehab
Coverage
United States
Files
Reference
Easter Seals, Easter Seals (1930s-1940s), Easter Seals, 1930s-1940s
Cite As
Easter Seals, “Easter Seals (1930s-1940s),” Virtual Museum of Public Service, accessed April 27, 2024, https://vmps.omeka.net/items/show/319.