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Tough Times Pen Pal Swap

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Tough Times Pen Pal Swap
Swap Coordinator:Clayshaper (contact)
Swap categories: Random Items  Challenges  Miscellaneous 
Number of people in swap:75
Location:Other
Type:None
Last day to signup/drop:April 30, 2007
Date items must be sent by:May 30, 2007
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

I have noticed that a lot of who are active people on swap bot have been going through some tough times lately. A lot of people I know join Swap-bot to find a way to reach out to other people, have some human contact, during tough times as well! I thought it might be nice to create a swap that focuses on Tough Times we all go through, and help one another through them!

The 'rerquirements' of this Swap are limited to Two things:

1) You will have one partner, to whom you will Write a letter (hand written or typed/computer printed are both fine!) about a Tough Time you may be facing, or have faced down in the past. It should be about two pages, but certainly can be much longer!

2) Include something of 'yourself' in your envelope or package- a small token, a gift, a thoughtful kind of support to your partner... look at their profile, check the kind of swaps they're into... send them someting that will give them that Human Touch- the gentle nudge that says 'I understand. You'll be OK.'

By including these two things, we may gain a pen pal who can help us through our trials and troubles, or we might end up truly touching someone's life, and showing them that a random stranger CARES, and Understands!

I am not setting a dollar limit on the 'gift' to include, and it can be anything at all. You should play detective, look at your partner's profile for hints. A special pen, an ATC, a book, a handmade scarf, a furry pair of socks... who knows what will inspire you to show them that there is still happiness to be had, even from a total stranger! It could cost nothing, to show someone you care.

I WILL be watching and banning people with recent and repeated no-sends... nothing sucks worse than being the person who gets nothing after pouring their heart out to someone. Newbies are welcome- but ONLY if they have filled out their profile! That way your partner can tell what to send you, of course!

Understand that due to the nature of this swap, and the fact that people are different, you should stay away from sending religous or political based items- remember that your partner may be totally different than you! Consider THEM when adding your 'gift'... think of it as a trade off: They have given you a basic and much-needed act of humanity and kindness by listening to your troubles- past or present, and you are giving them a gift that will lift them up at least a little bit, in whatever troubles THEY are facing too!

If you want to continue writing to one another, that's fine- but the requirements of this Swap are only the two items listed above. If you send A 2-page letter and a small gift, you should recieve a good rating.

Everything above and beyond that is just icing on the cake. Maybe you will find a new friend!

Above all, make that basic human connection! Show Kindness and Understanding to a total stranger.

Discussion

brandigirl72 03/13/2007 #

Oh boy...this swap was meant for me!!!

Aerochik 03/15/2007 #

I hear yeah, you were reading my mind!!!

jennyb 03/16/2007 #

ditto to the above!

DylansMama 03/20/2007 #

Im a newbie but could definately use this one right about now!

user7192 03/26/2007 #

I'm also a newbie and am looking forward to this!

user6953 04/ 1/2007 #

Im New but wow I need this one alot.

user7389 04/ 2/2007 #

I'm newbie too and I'm looking forward to participate! ^_^

pinkwhirlitop 04/ 3/2007 #

This is a great idea. :D

Goddess 04/ 3/2007 #

This swap was meant for me! I have been going through some tough times here lately so this swap really caught my eye.

Clayshaper 04/ 4/2007 #

I'm glad to see this swap growing! I have a feeling the randomness of it will really affect people, and maybe make some new friends between swappers! Newbies are certainly welcome!

julie 04/13/2007 #

As both a newbie to this site and someone going through tough times, this is a great swap idea!

SharonF 04/14/2007 #

This swap is for this "newbie"! I hope I can help a person feel better! Sharon F.

sweetjewels1985 04/16/2007 #

I really like this ideal and I cant wait to get started

Chic 04/17/2007 #

Great idea for a swap! Is this for international swappers too?

redroses 04/18/2007 #

This a wonderful idea and a beautiful way to get started. I am new here and I think this is the best way to get on the go careing for one another..Keep me informed and help me guide me and teach me as I grow..We all need the extra pick me up. Good luck to all.

ColleenMc 04/19/2007 #

I did a swap last year! that is how long I have NOT had any time to do anything fun. This should be interesting. :-)

Clayshaper 04/24/2007 #

International is fine! Extra shipping/mailing costs should be no problem with this swap- but remember that overseas mail may take more time to arrive!! :) Give your partners time to get their stuff to you! :)

user7142 04/25/2007 #

This is such a neat idea.

user7745 05/ 1/2007 #

how we know are partners here in swap,new to group here. from kansas joine gemni swap

LeeAnn 05/ 1/2007 #

I have my letter typed out, I just need a partner to personalize it a bit more.

user7022 05/ 1/2007 #

The host needs to activate "assigning" partners. They are given by random -- but they have to active it -- Then it will show up to view your partner... If they dont do this w/in 3 days of the swap closing, Swap-bot will do it automatically for them.

Clayshaper 05/ 2/2007 #

Partners have now been assigned!

I did take the time to go through all the people in this swap- I did ban a few (who had repeated no-sends with a lot of current swaps they were in- which is worrisome, in that they haven't resolved old stuff before joining dozens of new ones)... but mostly you will find I was super-lenient.

If there are ANY problems with someone, feel free to email me. I'll try my best to mediate and get it resolved. :) Hopefully this will give a chance for some folks to raise their ratings- everyone gets some unfair or accidental 1's or 3's eventually! I hope this swap goes well for everyone!

Have a blast, and if there are problems, let me know!

ohhhkay 05/ 2/2007 #

I love this swap, it was the first one I joined when I joined swap bot last week! I spent the morning working on my letter and what to send and it's being dropped off at the post office on my way to work! :)

user7745 05/ 3/2007 #

Hi all, New to swap here be working on my letter this afternoon here,pay few bils this morning home rest of the day.I have partner address down get letter done today than it be in mail in morning here.Have we got partners yet for birthday swap? from sue,kansas

LeeAnn 05/ 3/2007 #

katco, mailed today!

uniqueutopia 05/ 3/2007 #

Kelli's package is out the door!

user7745 05/ 4/2007 #

Hi, I sent my letter to my partner this afternoon went in the mail to her.Hope she get it ok. from sue,kansas

MeaghanLC 05/ 5/2007 #

Mine went off this am.

snarglebean 05/ 7/2007 #

eyeswideshut made my day (and weekend)! Is there a such thing as a super-jumbo-huge-sparkly-extra-special heart, because she deserves one! Everything is so wonderful and special, and my cats even love the box it came in. It radiates peace, love, and support for me during this crappy time in my life. Thank you a thousand times over! Kelli

uniqueutopia 05/ 7/2007 #

YAY! Your so very welcome!!! I'm glad you liked it!! Nothing better than to know you made a day:) Hugs!

Jess

pinkwhirlitop 05/ 8/2007 #

Arts on Fire - I have sent the letter to you today! :)

Susi 05/10/2007 #

Stephanie (pish), I have your letter and gift all ready to go. I'll put it in the mail today. I hope you like what I am sending you, it's small, but I made it from the heart! susi

buttercup 05/16/2007 #

Gemini73 I sent your letter this morning and I hope you enjoy the pictures I took from a garden.

user7745 05/19/2007 #

hi not sure who my supposed send my letter,so far i not got one here yet. from sue,kansas

user7745 05/21/2007 #

I've sent mind out while back on toughtime penpal swap.Though still not got mind in mail yet. I'll be mailing some stuff out this week for my gemni swap here should all be in mail by end of week of here. from sue,kansas

SnaughtyGirl 05/21/2007 #

Dietdew -

Your letter is on its way from England. Hope it arrives soon. Cheers!

BohemianPrincess 05/25/2007 #

thank you Leann,,im touched that i received your first atc,,its nice thank you,,Also I sent my swap out last week wondering if my partner got it yet? Goddess I think.

user7745 05/25/2007 #

Not got anything yet from toughtime penpal,mind was sent out while back on it.Just mailed two partners in gemni swap one to europe and other to singapure.Working on other this weekend. from sue,ks

Clayshaper 05/26/2007 #

Kansas77: don't worry too much, it does take time... and you only have to send the swap BY the 'send by' date, which is May 30th in this case! Some folks might be a few days late, but give it at LEAST two weeks before you worry about it not arriving!

If you never get anything, go to 'rate your partners' and see who your partner was/is. Send them mail (click on their username and 'send swap-bot mail') to ask them if they sent it, and let them know it hasn't arrived.

Remember, the rating system is a 1 for nothing ever arriving, a 3 for it not fitting the swap requirements (like they send you a pile of horse poo and a postcard taped to it, instead of a letter and a small token/gift) and a 5 is appropriate if you got the letter and some small something in with it. You can even give them an extra heart if the package was EXTRA special, as some are!

Let mw know if you have questions or problems!

Susi 05/26/2007 #

I am wondering if Pish got my swap, I sent it out a week or so ago. Thanks, susi

ohhhkay 05/26/2007 #

Just wondering if my partner got my swap, I sent it out on the 2nd.

SummerLion 05/27/2007 #

ohhhkay, I just missed the post today. I'm sorry, it will go out Tuesday. I don't like leaving things to the last day, but hope you'll enjoy it anyway.

user7423 05/27/2007 #

My letter went out today to Jennifer/Sugar Melts In The Rain. Enjoy!

butterflykisses 05/28/2007 #

My letter was put in the post for Hilde Marten ! Let me know when it gets to you! It's coming from the US!

mouseybrat 05/30/2007 #

Letter going out to Snaughty Girl today... coming from the US.

Clayshaper 05/30/2007 #

I see a lot of "not sent"'s on the participant lists, so I have sent out some notes to everyone to remind them today is the "send by" date! (I suspect everyone is okay with it being a few days late, stuff happens! ...but it DOES need to be sent!)

I encourage everyone to make good, fair use of the rating system: Today is the date it is supposed to be sent/postmarked by, but if it is a little late, and it fairly meets the (easy!) requirements of the swap (easy easy!) then give them a five... it helps to boost ratings so newbies (of which there are a lot here!) or previously not so good swappers can raise their ratings and grow and become better swappers in the future!

If they do not meet the requirements of the swap (say they send you a pin for a local rock concert... but no letter, nothing... well.) Then rate them a 3. As long as it arrived, but if it didn't actually contain the two items, (a letter and a small token/gift of thanks)... then that's what that "3" rating is for!

Please give ample time for letters to arrive- two weeks is reasonable, and it's OK to give longer, or to rate a 1 with a note that says you'll change it when it arrives... that really makes a person FAR more likely to send it late, (rather than never)...

And a private note in the email/swap-bot message system does WONDERS... communication always helps!

Let me know if any of you did not get your swaps, or had a bad experience with something/someone. I will work to help correct it whenever possible!

user6142 05/31/2007 #

I am so sorry for the delay. I officially sent today. I've been dealing with a lot of family drama and sort of slipped. I hope you can forgive me.

SnaughtyGirl 06/ 6/2007 #

mouseybrat -

Thank you for my Tough Times letter. It arrived today. Cheers.

SummerLion 06/ 7/2007 #

Got your letter and extras today, Clayshaper. Thank you.

digit13 06/13/2007 #

to the person who sent me a letter: i would LOVE to write you back, however i have moved since receiving your thoughtful note and have not yet found in among my boxes. if you could message or email me your info, i would be very grateful. thank you so much!

Clayshaper 06/15/2007 #

I still see a lot of no sends... that kind of concerns me. I'm working on a way to 'angel' in those who did not get their stuff... we may set up a swap for that, by password-only, so contact me if you're particularly bummed out about not getting a response from the person supposed to send to you, with ideas about how to do this. :)

If you just want to 'angel' to someone else, by all means, offer away! we may just kind of re-do the swap for those who wish to get a package, or angel one.

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