YOUNGSTOWN Post office unveils stamp to fund efforts against domestic violence

YOUNGSTOWN -- The new 45-cent "Stop Family Violence" semipostal stamp is available here, with proceeds going to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for domestic-violence programs.
The funds raised are less the cost of first-class postage and the postal service's reasonable costs, according to a press release.
An unveiling ceremony was held Wednesday at the main post office downtown.
Youngstown Detective Sgt. Delphine Baldwin-Casey, assigned to the Crisis Intervention Unit, spoke at the ceremony on the effects of family violence on children. Other speakers included a victim of domestic violence and Melinda Gavins, program director for the Sojourner House.
The stamp design features a young girl to express the pain and sadness caused by domestic violence.
The first semipostal stamp was "Breast Cancer Research," issued in 1998. So far, more than $30 million has been raised.
The "Heroes of 2001" stamp was issued June 7, 2002, and it has raised more than $8 million for the families of relief personnel killed or permanently disabled during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Semipostal stamps are available at post offices throughout the country, by toll-free orders at (800) STAMP-24 and by online orders at the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.