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Pink is a signature color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the U.S. Postal Service is spotlighting a set of commemorative stamps that help fight the disease
"A sheet of breast cancer awareness stamps are $11," said Mike Davis, postmaster. "A normal sheet of stamps are $8.80. The additional $2.20 goes to breast cancer research."
Nationwide, sales of the breast cancer awareness stamps have resulted in about $70 million for the National Institutes of Health Fund for Breast Cancer Research, Davis said.
"Tupelo is No. 1 in the state for breast cancer stamp sales, and we're No. 11 in the nation," said Evelyn Baldwin, manager of customer service, who lost her daughter, Angela Vanlandingham, to the disease in September.
On Monday, pink cookies, peppermints and pink lemonade were available in a corner of the post office that was decorated with ribbons and balloons.
People who bought two sheets received a gift bag, and those who bought five sheets were entered into a drawing for a framed sheet of the stamps.
The Breast Cancer Research Stamp always will be a first-class stamp, even if rates increase over the current 44 cents.
On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 28, the Thomas Street office will transform again, and people will have another chance to sample pink refreshments.
As for the stamps, they're always available. Davis said Tupelo's sales can be attributed to the generosity of residents, and to the work of clerks behind the Post Office's counters.
"They do a good job of mentioning that the stamps are available," Davis said, "and people have responded."
Contact M. Scott Morris at (662) 678-1589 or scott.morris@djournal.com.