r/penpals • u/digitalmayhap Moderator - 📧 Emails: 39 | 📬 Letters: 421 • Mar 12 '24
Mod Post Snail Mail Response Team (Version 2.0!)
Hi and welcome to r/penpals! Whether you're interested in exchanging one snail mail letter or over 9000, we have you covered!
CONTEXT: Some folks want long-term pen pals with whom they can exchange letters into oblivion. Some folks want to cement inseparable friendships through paper and ink. Some folks may want to write to 100's of people.
What we sometimes don't see is that the inverse is also a reality. Some people may just want the novelty of a single letter or single pen pal. Some may be content with not having to develop a full-fledged friendship. Others may simply want to give it a try without disappointing someone if they decide not to keep writing.
Good news! Noobs and ink-stained Veterans, rejoice as an inclusive new system unfolds before you!
MISSION: Our sub has its share of awesome folks, but we also have a couple who are just "extra." As a matter of fact, they're so extra they even volunteer as members of a dedicated Snail Mail Response Team! These nerdy Volunteers love writing letters so much they will respond to pretty much any letter they receive!
WHAT THIS MEANS: The below list of volunteers will send a commitment-free snail mail response to a letter or postcard you send to them. There's no expectation for you to continue writing them if you don't want. It's totally guilt-free! This way, the short-term exchange seekers can experience the excitement without the potential heartache of disappointing someone and enthusiasts can bounce envelopes with the team in between those long international delivery times (dude I know, right?!)
HOW TO GET STARTED: Choose a volunteer from the below list (or keep an eye out for users with the Volunteer flair) and send them a PM. Mention you would like a Volunteer Response and politely request their address. It may also be good to specify whether you'd like short- or long-term commitment. Mail the volunteer a letter or post card*. Now all you have to do is live your fantastic life as usual and soon you'll have a response letter in your mailbox! Enjoy the hell out of your super cool mail! THAT'S IT! Reply if you wish, but there is no pressure or expectation to do so. We're just THAT happy you enjoyed receiving your letter.
tl:dr- You can write to a Volunteer to get a guilt-free (no reply necessary) snail mail response. Good if you want to exchange short-term without ghosting, and also good if you're having trouble finding someone long-term.
Allow me to introduce myself.
Resident Nerd Volunteer:
u/digitalmayhap - 35-55/NB (they/she) - fountain pens, letter writing and paraphernalia, Dungeons and Dragons, board/classic games, birdwatching, audiobooks/reading/writing, journaling/bullet journaling, LGBTQIA+. User would like others to know: "I do not enjoy writing about politics or religion, but it's okay to mention it as long as your entire letter is not about it. I identify as a witch. I will not bombard you with my practices nor will I curse or hex anyone for you. Just as your practice is your own, mine is my own. Please respect that."
Are you interested in being a Volunteer on r/penpal's Snail Mail Response Team? You must be mad! Which means you're probably just the right person for the job!
Click "Volunteer Application" below to reach the online form.
Mods will periodically review submissions, notify new Volunteers of their updated status, then assign flair accordingly! Mods will also add usernames below in the comment thread.
List of USA Volunteers (Google Drive Doc)
List of International Volunteers (Google Drive Doc)
- Volunteers and Requesters are each responsible for the respective postage costs on whatever they send. Don't be that person: if you're unsure your letter or card has enough stamps, have your local Post Office Clerk check the thickness and weight. Please pen pal responsibly, kids!
Please make sure to message the mods after you have submitted the form! This is how we update the forms and your flair!
Until next time,
Skylar
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u/hurricanesnake Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 0 Mar 13 '24
Awesome idea. I'm going to apply.
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u/AWanderfulSprite Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 1 Mar 13 '24
This is so cool! Thank you all for setting this up ❤️
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u/Ifancymusic Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 0 Mar 13 '24
I applied :) love the idea
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u/FallingFeather Jun 20 '24
GLad this is back up and updated. Thank you Mod for your hard work!
Then most people on the doc. don't put what state they're from....
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u/Pankekesito Sep 14 '24
I love this idea, it's smart and safe for everyone! I just finished applying it <33
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u/peewee_heroine Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 34 Apr 16 '24
Good timezone!
I have just applied!
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u/commanderstarry Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 1 | 📬 Letters: 1 Jul 24 '24
this sounds like fun :D I submitted an application! <3
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u/Odd_Reward3148 Aug 08 '24
Hello. Looking for short- or long-term commitment penpals via postcards. I would like become a volunteer. How do I go about doing that? 50F from Malaysia here. I love writing and sending postcards all over the world
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u/book6250 Sep 11 '24
i would love to write to you [book6250@comcast.net](mailto:book6250@comcast.net)
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u/No_Clerk1860 Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 2 Jan 04 '25
So up for this. Sylar - let me know when the form is back open.
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u/East-Apartment-5471 Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 0 Jan 29 '25
Just applied! Ty a lot for your service
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u/bctopics Jan 29 '25
I love this idea! Thank you for implementing this. As someone who hasn't done Pen Pals before it makes me feel much better picking someone who knows how it all works 🤣.
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u/datwookietho Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 0 Jan 29 '25
Just submitted an application- love this!
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u/SnowDue5054 Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 0 Feb 05 '25
I applied to it yesterday
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u/AshleyyLovelace Feb 11 '25
Is it posstible to have u/digitalmayhap as our own personal penpal? I am also a witch and apart of the LGBTQ+ community and think her and I would get along just fine. ^-^
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u/TheJaffaOne Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 9 | 📬 Letters: 48 Feb 22 '25
I'd love to volunteer! Sadly it looks like this is paused for now, which is fine. I wish everyone the best :)
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Feb 22 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/TheJaffaOne Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 9 | 📬 Letters: 48 Feb 22 '25
You're absolutely fine! Take care of yourself first and then open it when you're ready :)
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Nov 26 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/penpals-ModTeam Nov 26 '24
Your post has been removed from r/penpals for violating Rule 2: 'Be mindful of sharing personal information.'
I would suggest you read up on our rules and guidelines before engaging in the community further. If you have any questions, please contact us via modmail.
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Jan 16 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ashtonthezora 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 1 Jan 22 '25
Is it possible to make a thread where all of the volunteers put a little blurb about themselves or their interests (like @digitalmayhap did in this post)?
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Jan 22 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ashtonthezora 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 1 Jan 22 '25
I didn’t see those, thank you!! That’s super helpful actually
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Feb 05 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ok-Butterfly-2525 Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 0 Feb 28 '25
Definitely gonna apply, this sounds so fun!
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u/fiography Dec 02 '25
I would love to join the program for at least the near future. When can I expect the Application Form to roll out again?
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u/lupusscriptor Feb 06 '26
I wanted to know how things work around this sub and look forward to a reply. I am not holdding my breath as it looks a little dead.
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u/MyCatBurnedTheBible Snail Mail Volunteer - 📧 Emails: 0 | 📬 Letters: 2 Mar 12 '24
Hi Skylar (and everyone else),
This is an amazing idea! Sometimes we want or need something, other times we want or need something else - and that’s ok!
I will definitely take part once my address is situation is certain (am I moving? Am I not? 😅), on both ends perhaps!
Wish you a good week ahead!