World Stamp Show-NY 2016: Grant Received for Major Attraction

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the TurningPoint Foundation of $ 25,000 to fund the enclosed 32 seat theater within the “Welcome to Stamp Collecting Pavilion” on the exhibition floor.
The 5,000 square foot pavilion is being designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the fun of stamp collecting. There are separate sections for youth and adults that will be staffed by knowledgeable philatelists who will guide them through activities and answer questions.
It will be the first destination for all school groups attending WSS-NY 2016.  On arrival kids will receive a stamp goodie package filled with a stamp packet, activity booklet and a stamp passport to take home. They will then be brought into the theater to see short video productions prepared by a variety of organizations, including the American Philatelic Society, the National Postal Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library and the San Jose Stamp Club. Afterwards they can wander and participate in a variety of stamp hunts, electronic games and mini-classes.
Outreach to adult beginners is equally important and a focus of the pavilion. They, too, may watch videos in the theater produced specifically for them, emphasizing the family-friendly lifetime learning aspects of philately. Adults will be introduced to the very successful APS StampBuddy program (http://stamps.org/stampbuddy) to assist them in their hobby endeavors and then partake in their own activities. 
The “TurningPoint Foundation Pavilion Theater” is being named after the ten year old Dallas-based organization. Its philanthropic focus is on education and arts projects benefitting a wide range of non-profit groups. A supporter of philately, it is making a substantial multi-year donation to establishing the “Byrne Education Loft” at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and has been a major contributor to the APS Stamps Teach program (http://stamps.org/stamps-teach).
“TurningPoint Foundation is delighted to support the Pavilion Theater at the World Stamp Show. It will be an important part of educating school groups and the public about the rich history of stamps and collecting,” said Molly Byrne, the organization’s president.
World Stamp Show-NY 2016 takes place May 28 through June 4 at the Javits Center in New York City. Admission is free to this once-a-decade event. Show information can be found online at www.ny2016.org as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Thomas M. Fortunato
Chairman, Marketing & Public Relations
28 Amberwood Place
Rochester, NY 14626-4166
(585) 225-6822 evenings and weekends
thomas.fortunato@ny2016.org
stamptmf@frontiernet.net