A great day for TUBFRIM stamp cutters

Sons of Norway Abel Lodge collects 42 pounds of stamps to help disabled children in Norway

Photo: Solveig Lee
Stamp cutters, from left to right: Barbara Engbrecht, Marilyn Tangen, Marit Hagen, Solveig Lee, Alice Sorensen, Kathryn Ulland. Front: Sigi Bell.

Solveig Lee
Mount Vernon, Wash.

For over a year, members and friends of Sons of Norway Abel Lodge 2-029 met at the Mount Vernon P.U.D. to cut stamps. Bags and bags of stamps were placed on the tables. As the ladies trimmed around the used stamps, they admired the variety, sometimes noting history so pictured, at other times important people in history, and often the age of the stamps. There was much to chat about while busily trimming stamps.

On Monday, November 9, two carloads drove down to Sons of Norway Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001 in Ballard with 42 pounds of cut stamps and enjoyed the friendship of sister lodge members while enjoying their wonderful Kaffestua.

These stamps will be sent to TUBFRIM in Nesbyen, Norway. Tuberkulosearbeidets Frimerkeforretning, thankfully shortened to TUBFRIM, is an organization that was founded by Postmaster Ditlef Frantzen in 1928 with the objective of financing research into tuberculosis and aiding children inflicted with the disease. This disease has now almost been eradicated, so the objective of TUBFRIM has been modified to provide aid for health and development of children and youth with disabilities and handicaps.

In 1929, profits totaled NOK 1,500. The amount has since then reached a total of over 20 million kroner. All of this is rescued from wastebaskets. Stamps, postcards, and phone­cards from all over the world can be resold to aid this organization. Collections of the stamps are available for purchase through the organization’s website (www.tubfrim.no).

Most Norwegian Embassies, Consulates, Seaman’s Churches, and private persons participate in the TUBFRIM program. Outside of Norway, the greatest collection takes place in the United States through the organization of the Sons of Norway. Huge shipments of stamps are collected and sent to Norway courtesy of SAS.

This article originally appeared in the Nov. 27, 2015, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.