# Message from Polycarp **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850 "2009-06-05T17:47:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/21 "2009-06-05T20:38:52Z")
Good luck to Poly and Skull! ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/22 "2009-06-05T20:55:47Z")
Lib and Poly, check your PMs. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/23 "2009-06-05T21:14:24Z")
Wishing Poly-Skull the best in their life’s recovery. Hope to hear from them soon! ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/24 "2009-06-05T22:26:21Z")
Couple of updates: I was mistaken about the water pump on the car. It is actually the fuel pump, which Poly says is inside the gas tank, which means major labor costs. Therefore, Skull has decided to sell their car for junk. It has always been a junker, with this or that breaking every week or so. She wants to buy a used car in the $2,000 range. They have saved $600 so far, and are able to put back about a hundred dollars a month. That means, of course, that it will be more than a year before they can afford a car. Meanwhile, Skulldigger is getting to work thanks to the charity of a good person from their church. That person is taking her to work and picking her up every day. (She works only four days per week, and Poly is unable to work.) So that’s the scoop. I have not contacted the admins about any sort of fund raising campaign, nor has Poly asked me to. I know that $1,400 is a lot of money, and ordinarilly we (Edlyn and I) would have it ourselves. But we have committed to a contractor already for work around the house. We simply cannot spare that much. Do y’all think I should contact Tuba or someone to launch a fund raising campaign? I can’t handle it myself. I mean the money collection and all that. I don’t even do Pay Pal. But if someone would be willing to do that, and if people think I should PM Tuba, then I will do that. I will also contribute $100 of my own personal money. (It’s not a part of our house account). That’ll leave only $1,300. Can we (and should we) do this? To those of you who have PMd me that you will help in any way you can, this is the need. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/25 "2009-06-05T22:36:18Z")
I can’t judge how Poly will react, but I’d certainly be willing to contribute. I’d think of it as paying it forward from times when folks have helped me. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/26 "2009-06-05T22:39:16Z")
Another fundraiser? Sounds good. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/27 "2009-06-05T22:59:18Z")
absolutely! i would be honoured to help anyway i can. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/28 "2009-06-05T23:05:06Z")
Let’s do it… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/29 "2009-06-05T23:37:07Z")
I’m not sure what the protocol is – or if he’d be willing to accept the money if we raise it. I’ll check with the other mods and get back with an answer ASAP. In the meantime, send **Poly** and **Skull** (whom I met at Gettysdope several years ago, I don’t know if they remember) my very best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/30 "2009-06-06T00:04:26Z")
Thank you, twickster! He will accept the money with humble gratitude, I’m sure. We just need a coordinator. Maybe rocking chair. Or Hal. Whoever will coordinate, we can all PM that person to get an address to which to send our checks. Thanks everyone! These are great people (Poly and Skull) who would help any of us if they could. ---
**Author:** ![ragerdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d07c76/32.png) [@ragerdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ragerdude)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/31 "2009-06-06T00:09:55Z")
Yes, let’s do it! ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/32 "2009-06-06T00:14:26Z")
Thanks for letting us know. I’m in on the fundraiser as well. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/33 "2009-06-06T01:11:10Z")
I will chip in what I can. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/34 "2009-06-06T01:41:29Z")
But who will co-ordinate? Who will collect these funds and pass them on to Poly? Whoever is willing and able, please announce it. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/35 "2009-06-06T02:01:20Z")
I’ll be happy to coordinate, but there are a few things to know up front: 1. I’ll be going on vacation in three weeks. Not really a big deal though – it would be best if everyone who is going to contribute would do so right away, so we could get the funds to **Poly** asap. So, as long as we made a cutoff of, say, June 20th, then a check could be sent to him on Monday, the 22nd. 2. If folks want, funds could be sent over via PayPal. However, I have a premier account which means that PayPal takes a percentage (2.9% + 30 cents). The tradeoff here is that payment can be made via credit card. So, if someone else wants to do it who has a basic PayPal account (no fees that way), then it’s cool by me. If not, then I’ll get things set up to get this rolling tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/36 "2009-06-06T02:11:56Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Couple of updates: > > Can we (and should we) do this? > > To those of you who have PMd me that you will help in any way you can, this is the need. Of course we can. May we? I’m doing well enough that I can put a little something in. Say when and how, and it shall be done. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/37 "2009-06-06T03:02:43Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > I’ll be happy to coordinate, but there are a few things to know up front: > > 1. I’ll be going on vacation in three weeks. Not really a big deal though – it would be best if everyone who is going to contribute would do so right away, so we could get the funds to **Poly** asap. So, as long as we made a cutoff of, say, June 20th, then a check could be sent to him on Monday, the 22nd. > > 2. If folks want, funds could be sent over via PayPal. However, I have a premier account which means that PayPal takes a percentage (2.9% + 30 cents). The tradeoff here is that payment can be made via credit card. > > So, if someone else wants to do it who has a basic PayPal account (no fees that way), then it’s cool by me. If not, then I’ll get things set up to get this rolling tomorrow. As far as I’m concerned, I say “go”. I will need to use a credit card anyway, since I don’t have a pay pal account per se. Or I can send a check to your address, but pay pal would be quicker. I also like the idea of a deadline. We’ll raise what we can. It doesn’t even have to be the whole amount. If the end effect is that they must save for two or three months instead of fourteen months to get their car, then we will have blessed them mightily. So, if no one has any objection, I say go ahead and set it up. Just let us know the process. I’ve used pay pal to pay by credit card before. (For this membership in fact.) But I don’t remember how I specified SDMB. We just need that kind of information. I’ll make my payment the moment you set it up and instruct us how to pay. And thank you. You’re a good egg. ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/38 "2009-06-06T03:16:56Z")
If I might make a suggestion, **Hal**. A postal check might be the easiest thing to send. It’s secure and no waiting to deposit and have it clear, etc. Make it out to either of them that would be best able to get to their local post office, show their license and they’ll get the cash right away with no hassles. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/39 "2009-06-06T03:51:48Z")
You know, it takes a story like this to put some things in perspective. Finances suck for us right now, but not nearly as bad as the situation that Poly/Skull have found themselves in. I’ll be watching this thread for contribution instructions too. I’ve admired Poly for many years now and it would be an honor to help them any way I can. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850/40 "2009-06-06T08:48:12Z")
Good to hear they’re on the mend. Hopefully I’ll get a job soon and be able to contribute something more than my best wishes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-from-polycarp/498850.md?page=3)