Save the USPS International Surface Mail Service for Humanitarian Projects

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On May 14, 2007 the USPS eliminated International Surface Mail which was used by many organizations and individuals to support meaningful, humanitarian projects around the world. I ask for your assistance to rectify this situation.

Many non-profit organizations, faith communities, schools and individuals used this method to ship books, professional journals and other educational materials to nations in need, expanding educational opportunities for thousands of students around the world. Now, the only postal option in reaching these communities is by airmail, which in most casts has tripled and even quadrupled the cost of shipping these vital materials.

These classroom, book and library projects have an important role in uplifting communities and supporting the education and advancement of young people. At a time when we should be taking advantage of every opportunity to connect with other nations in friendship, goodwill and positive collaboration, I am concerned these recent changes in overseas shipping rates will have damaging if not devastating impacts on many global service initiatives.

A one size fits all approach for overseas shipping is shortsighted and misguided. It is my hope that you can take action to reverse this recent change so the many good works of many American volunteer organizations can continue.

7523 Signatures

  • J. Anthony M
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 90012
  • Deborah K
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 54956
  • nora
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21218
  • Daniel A
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 02138
  • mona
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • Israel
  • Amanda D
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 28638
  • Carol S. C
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 94609
  • Rochelle C
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • Canada
  • Kendra K
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 80020
  • Matthew D. C
    • Name of Organization (if applicable); URL
    • Peace Corps
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • Ukraine
    • Comments
    • В
  • Ted M
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • Japan
  • Smita
    • Name of Organization (if applicable); URL
    • www.umd.edu
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 20770
  • Susan H
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 94014
    • Comments
    • As an independent ESL teacher for 18 yrs, book purchases were something I paid for personally. These overseas teachers have an impossible task. Please help them by keeping this service
  • Derek
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 94536
  • Cecelia D
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 95618
    • Comments
    • International education is tremendously helped by the books that are taken abroad via the lowest rates of surface mail. If at all possible, please keep it in some form. Books that go overseas typically move from hand to hand, adding to the knowledge and cross-cultural understanding of the world.
  • David P
    • Name of Organization (if applicable); URL
    • http://www.biomissions.org
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 32526
    • Comments
    • Books are the lifeline to many humanitarian aid and religious outreaches. We need to be able to get materials to the fields of service.
  • Karey M
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 34974-7998
  • Keirstie C
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 49267
  • laura
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 08816
  • Ashley
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 85379
  • sam
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 92126
    • Comments
    • please bring back the m-bag. it was the best way to ship large volumes books
  • sandy r
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • israel
  • sheila l
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 07728
    • Comments
    • A bit of HUMANITY isn't asking too much, especially since these used books are going to Arab schools as well as Israeli
  • Deborah J
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 11566
  • Jodi S
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • Brazil
  • Beverly S
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 22003
    • Comments
    • These projects are all volunteer driven but not possible now with the extreme increase in the postal rate
  • Patricia H
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 864324
  • robert a
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 32526
  • LeeAnn
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 55104
  • Sierra Hutchinson Y
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 80222
    • Comments
    • as an RPCV I know how important educational materials are to host countries..but you cannot ship these by air..
  • Laura F
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 97056
    • Comments
    • I would love to be able to send books to the Bujuni Teachers Club I started while serving as a PCV in Uganda. I know exactly what they would benefit from, but I can't afford send them books and they can't afford to pay to get them from the post office on their end.
  • julia m
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 44303
    • Comments
    • Bring back the M bag!
  • Jonathan Blake B
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 29405
  • Benjamin F
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 43215
  • Kathy P
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21093
  • Sean M. F
    • Name of Organization (if applicable); URL
    • В
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21117
    • Comments
    • В
  • Michael B
    • Name of Organization (if applicable); URL
    • None
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21230
    • Comments
    • None
  • Jeffrey M
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21117
  • Jason C
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21224
  • Gayle W
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 33186
  • Vincent M. J
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21234
  • Carlos A
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21234
  • Mary Jo Z
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 48823
    • Comments
    • Surface mail option is crucial to support libraries in developing countries
  • Matt N
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 20817
  • Abigail P
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21211
  • Steve B
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 21117
  • Michael G
    • Name of Organization (if applicable); URL
    • Michael Good, Books
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 94973
    • Comments
    • The elimination of surface mail rates has effected the amount of foreign orders I have recieved. When the cost of shipping can exceed the price of a book, particularly when it does not fit into a Flat Rate envelope, the buyer doesn't buy.
  • James A. V
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 02635
  • Chris F
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 20007
  • Ronald L
    • Name of Organization (if applicable); URL
    • WORLD LIBRARY FUND
    • U.S. Zipcode (or country if not U.S.)
    • 17535
    • Comments
    • This is a very important issue. Please do not ignore !