Used Postage Stamps Can Be Put to Good Use by Laura Maclean Become Involved In,” He Said

10 WEEKENDER, Friday, January 9, 2009. Used postage stamps can be put to good use by Laura MacLean become involved in,” he said. “There are four churches because helping others is a part of St. Mary’s mandate, In 1954, Jim Schell started collecting postage stamps. that are a part of the parish: Baysville, Dorset, Port they want to help out in any way they can. He remembers he had the mumps and was very ill Cunnington and Fox Point. The idea was brought for- “A small way turns into a big way if everyone is when a thoughtful neighbour stopped by his house and ward to each congregation, and it was talked about at involved,” he said. “But we just thought it was a good brought him a stamp album. the annual meeting. It’s slowly catching on, but now thing to do.” “I guess she thought, ‘Maybe this will keep him there’s boxes set up in the church for people to drop off Foreign, Canadian and commemorative stamps are busy,’” says Schell, adding he was just eight years old their postage stamps.” accepted by the program. Donors are asked to keep at the time he started collecting. “I started doing it and When enough stamps are collected, usually a shoebox the entire envelope if there are clearly identifiable I’m still doing it after all these years.” full, Schell takes them home and then sends them by town/village postmarks or registered/special delivery A collector of millions of stamps, Schell was living in mail to Ottawa, where Oxfam Canada’s main office is postmarks. Bowmanville when he heard about Oxfam Canada’s located. In turn, Oxfam representatives ship the stamps Anyone who has postage stamps, old or new, and stamp program. His church had put out a request to to collectors all over the world and the money that is wants to donate them to the Oxfam stamp program can the congregation asking for any unwanted used postage generated goes to children’s food programs. call Jim Schell at 705-766-2373. stamps, as they could raise funds for children’s food “(Oxfam) has raised millions through this program,” According to Oxfam Canada’s website, Oxfam works programs in Third World countries. said Schell. “I think they also provide medical supplies with people to secure their basic human rights. The So, when Schell moved to Dorset about a year and to some countries as well. The program has been going organization advocates and campaigns against the root a half ago and started attending weekly services at St. on for many, many years. They do it all over the world. causes of poverty and injustice. Mary’s Anglican Church, he suggested the initiative to This is a worldwide thing. It’s a worthwhile program in Oxfam Canada volunteers have helped raise about the Lake of Bays parish, knowing what a good cause it my eyes.” $10,000 annually by sorting and selling stamps to col- is. Schell went on to say that because he and his wife lectors. Nearly $250,000 has been given to Oxfam by “This is something the Lake of Bays parish wanted to are involved in a number of charitable programs, and the stamp program since it started in 1980. Shield players selected for GMHL all-star game could enter five players, while course, Troy Storm to compete the stands with the remaining Game time is 8 p.m. on Jan. 13 lower-ranked teams could put for fastest skater, and Kirk Kelly Shield players. by Allyson Snelling Travis Saltz and Dylan Sontag, forward fewer. for the shootout event. Shield all stars will join forces Five South Muskoka Shield and rookies Adam MacBeth and “They were hard to pick,” Shield general manager Gord with selected players from the players will be representing Ricky Greenslade will skate as Telford said of the selected other northern division their team as all stars during members of the league’s north- all stars. “But more of our teams, which include the the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey ern division all stars. guys will be able to par- The event pits players from Oro-Medonte 77’s, Brock League’s All-Star Game next Pye will be one of six goalies ticipate as we are entering the southern division of the Bucks, Nipissing Alouettes, Tuesday night in Gravenhurst. in the game, who are expected different guys in the skills Minden Riverkings, Elliot The event pits players from the to each play one period. competition.” league against players from Lake Bobcats, Espanola southern division of the league It’s the most players the Shield The skills competition the northern division Kings and Ville-Marie against players from the north- has contributed to the all-star prior to the game will see Dragons. ern division. A skills competi- game in the past three years. players and goalies com- The southern division all tion will take place before the South Muskoka has hosted the pete in four events including Carey will be coaching the stars will include players from game starts. event at Gravenhurst Centennial obstacle course, hardest shot, northern division team, while the King Wild, Toronto Canada Shield head coach Dallyn Centre each year it has taken shootout and fastest skater. Ryan Leonard from Elliot Lake Moose, Bradford Rattlers, Telford said it was hard to place. Telford chose Dale Hatfield Bobcats and Lui Ricci from Richmond Hill Rams, Innisfil choose, but sophomore goal- Telford said the Shield’s first- for the hardest shot competi- Nipissing Alouettes will be assis- Lakers, Deseronto Storm and ie Eric Pye, veteran forwards place standing meant the team tion, Rob Childs for the obstacle tant coaches. Cherie Forsythe Tamworth Cyclones. from the Shield will be on the The skills competition will bench as trainer. Telford said he begin at 6 p.m. and game time plans to watch the game from is 8 p.m. TELFORD PYE SALTZ SONTAG MACBETH GREENSLADE.

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