Question:
I wrote my pen pal last week for the first time but I have not heard back from them. What should I do?
Answer:
Letters sometimes do not get to your pen pal for up to 8 weeks. Then it can take a few weeks for your pen pal to get back to you as well. Between the US postal service and then the military postal service, our mail could be anywhere and may take a month or more to even get to your pen pal, even if your neighbour's letters seem to be getting answered more often. However, you need to write your pen pal no less than 2 times a week and make sure you give it time.
Question:
May I have my pen pal's email address instead of writing him/her via us mail?
Answer:
No. We always start off with US Mail. You may send your email address to your pen pal but remember if your pen pal does not have internet access (not all do, in fact most do not) they will not be able to respond.
Question:
If I want to send my pen pal a care package before I send him/her a letter is it okay?
Answer:
Yes, but you might want to put a letter into the care package to explain who you are and how you got his/her name.
Question:
I would like to send my pen pal a care package. Do you have any suggestions as to what to send?
Answer:
Yes, there is a question sheet available either on the website or via email that you can print and send to your pen pal. This sheet can be filled out by your pen pal and sent back to you. You are not obligated to send every item on the sheet that your penpal returns to you, but this will give you an idea as to what they want or need.
Question:
Do I always have to send my pen pal packages?
Answer:
If you signed up after reading the rule sheet and did not discuss the fact you did not want to or could not afford to send packages, you were given a pen pal that has requested both letters and packages. If you had discussed the fact that your situation did not permit you to send packages then the distribution team has sent you a pen pal only name.
Question:
Why do I get emailed with all of these group projects?
Answer:
The RRU website does not support a posting forum. We have a large number of members and it is easiest for us to send out a bulk email to let people know of projects. Each person can then decide if they want to participate or not.
Question:
Do I have to participate in group projects?
Answer:
No, group projects are offered to all in email form but no one is ever obligated to participate.
Question:
What if I am not crafty? Is there something else I can contribute to the group?
Answer:
Yes, there is a page on the web with things that are needed from our group, such as letters,
baby blankets, stuffed toys, project leaders, etc.
Question:
I would like to have a female pen pal, from my state. Is this possible?
Answer:
There is no way we can promise you a female or male. It is first come, first served. As the military names are submitted they are the ones to be adopted first. The RRU does not ask if they are female or married or in a certain state or if they are of a certain religion, so we cannot match pen pals in this manner.
Question:
Am I obligated to accept mail from others in the RRU?
Answer:
Yes and no. All state leaders must be able to contact you. If your state leader is on vacation or ill and another leader fills in for them, they may need to contact you. If you are a project leader the rest of the group must be able to contact you. HOWEVER, it is not a welcome practice to pass jokes or pass-ons to ANYONE in the RRU without their permission.
Question:
My sister found the love of her life through a pen pal program. May I request a male pen pal so that I might find the love of my life also?
Answer:
The RRU is not a dating service; please do not use it as one. Most of our military people have spouses and families it is a really bad practice to use pen pal groups to find a significant other. It is not only frowned upon by the RRU but the DOD (Department of Defense) as well as with commanding officers of all branches of the military. If you are caught using the RRU as a dating service you will be turned into the DOD and will be told to release your pen pal for re-adoption and to cease all contact with your pen pal.