In an effort to promote coal, Rayburn Doss owner and operator of Fuelco Inc., has been using a rubber stamp on all of his outgoing checks. Doss said he had the stamp made to say “coal made this check possible.”

“People are already noticing the stamp,” said Doss. “I’ve not had the first vendor to turn my checks down. They love the idea of this. I’ve already done my third order of these rubber stamps to give to others.”

Doss said he has contacted several coal companies and asked them to start using the rubber stamp on all their payroll checks.

“There is about 50 to 75 of these rubber stamps already being used in Harlan County,” said Doss. “I’m asking everyone, not just coal companies, to put this on their checks. If you don’t want to use the stamp, have the slogan preprinted on your checks when you reorder. This is one way of showing people where their money comes from.”

The rubber stamps can be purchased at any printing or stationary facility Doss said.

“Coal is all we have here in Harlan County,” said Doss. “I mail checks to five different states. Maybe these other states will see how big an effect the coal industry has on other people, in other states. Coal touches a lot of people.”

Doss said you could take McDonald’s as an example of how coal touches other businesses.

“When kids go into McDonald’s to buy a hamburger, it’s Daddy or Mommy’s coal money that buys that hamburger,” said Doss. “If the coal miner loses their job, the kids won’t be buying hamburgers at McDonald’s. I think every business and vendor in Harlan County should have a sign in their window and stamp their checks with ‘coal made this check possible.’ This is a start to let people know how valuable the coal industry really is.”

Doss said by purchasing and using the rubber stamp each person or company will be helping not only coal miners and their families, but the whole community and the state of Kentucky.

“Kids need to realize how important coal is and that coal buys their cars, clothes, ipods and other luxury items,” said Doss. “Coal mining is not like it used to be, it’s a good job today that pays well. Every coal miner should be proud of their occupation because it is an honorable position.”

Doss said the coal industry should have been educating the children and the public years ago about the importance of coal to our community and state.

“We can train our kids today,” said Doss. “They can step right out of college and into a good paying job. Coal is going to be here. Somebody will be mining coal. We want everyone to be a part of it. Coal is our heritage.”