MS Access - Automate Data Entry

I am currently working on a database that will need to update approx 1,000 records with specific information. Here is what I need it to do and I haven't been able to get it to work so steps would be appreciated.

I have one table that has all of the records information and a field called RecordID that is autonumber. In another table I am tracking mailings and it has a entry cell that is autonumber, a RecordID that is just a number, Date and Status fields. I have created a relationship between the two RecordID fields but now I need the database to automatically post the RecordID from the general information table to the mailing table and set the date to todays date and the status field to mailed each time that record is requested. Is there anyway to automate this task since it has to update so many records? I have experimented some with update and append queries and I still cannot seem to get the RecordID to post into the mailings table.