A great, very worthy thread - but is it any different than people asking to be emailed? I really don’t mean to be picky about it; just want some clarification here. I’m missing something.
I’m not a mod but the difference I see is that is someone asking for money for a third party who is not currently a member of these boards. It’s anonymous.
Giving money directly to a present member of the boards is a whole other kettle of fish. It could change dynamics hugely.
Plus as Coldy said, it is easy to email directly to a member of the boards and make your own arrangements.
What Primaflora said.
And, Eutychus started that thread after checking it with the rest of the staff first. Had this person been a board member, we might not have given it the go ahead. Then again, whilst being in a little debt is bad, not being able to afford near-life-saving surgery is another kettle of fish.
Example e-mail: “Hiya SD Staff, I’m in a bit of a rut right now, and if I don’t pay my electricity by next week, I’ll be cut off. Can I start a thread asking people for money?”
Answer: “No, you most certainly may not. We wish you the best of luck resolving your financial issues, but the SDMB is not a virtual panhandling service.”
Example e-mail: “Hiya SD Staff, it has come to my attention that Poster A is in extreme dire straits, and his car may be reposessed. Can I start a thread asking people to share a little cash to help him out?”
Answer: “No, we can’t allow that. Whilst your idea is a noble one, we suggest you either contact Poster A per e-mail, or round up Dopers per publicly available e-mail addresses.”
Example e-mail (by a poster well known to the Staff): “Hiya SD Staff, I don’t know what to do. My family needs to come up with $2,000 for my mothers vital heart surgery. She’s a widow, and my father left her no money, as he was disabled for almost his entire life. We’ve rounded up about $1,500 by selling a car, but we just can’t get the extra $500. Can I ask the Dopers for a small contribution?”
Answer: “Whilst we normally don’t allow this sort of thing, we can see the severity of the situation you’re in. Make sure you mention you have staff approval. Make sure to note that this isn’t just about financial worries, but it’s about a life. Don’t bump the thead too many times, and let us know when the desired $500 has been collected, upon which we shall close the thread.”
Now, this last scenario is no guarantee or anyhting, it’s just to illustrate that different (severe) circumstances might prompt us to bend an otherwise rock solid rule. Obviously, it doesn’t apply in this case.
I wholeheartedly applaud anyone wanting to help another Doper out, but do so off the boards. Financial woes are a private matter, and should be kept as such as much as possible.
I mean, what if someone posted that they donated $5,000 to pay off Poster A’s CC debt, Poster A then responds to profusely thank the samaritan, and said samaritan then starts treating Poster A like his bitch because (s)he helped him/her out?
That way lies madness. Private communications, please.
Ok, that’s completely fair and understood. Thanks for spelling it out for me.
Greetings from the hospital. My surgery went well, I’m unable to sleep at the moment, however, on account of the hurtingness and pain.
Hurtingness sucks, Opal. Hope things get better quickly. How long before they spring you?
Sunday or mOnday at the latest, barring any complications.
Greetings from Ohio. Hope your soreness doesn’t last long! Glad to hear your surgery went well. Looking forward to hearing how much fun you are having fitting into new clothes. 
Glad your surgery went well.
Best Wishes