I was really cautious about opening this thread - afraid I’d read that Poly was desperately ill or had been in an horrific accident. Saddened as I am to read about the difficulties he and his family are experiencing, I’m also relieved to read that his plight is one which we as a community might be able to help relieve.
You know, I lurk way more than I post. I’m an atheist, through and through. But, given a paypal account, physical address, something, I would be more than willing, nay, happy to send a few dollars to help get Poly a PC, laptop, ISP, internet access, flowers for a Mean Red Day, whatever.
You see, besides Poly being a completely Superior Human Being, I feel deeply that this is the essence of what makes Life Worth Living, being able to help those in need of even the smallest favors. There are many times in my life where I know the smallest gesture from someone, even a random stranger would have made a difference.
I’m not the person to do it, I’m not well known and I think it would be presumptuous of me, but please, someone gather the SDMB resources, and let me know how I can help.
An Admirer
Even though I am a hard agnostic, I also respect and admire Polycarp, it is sad this is happening, dang! I miss him already!
This economy better turn around soon, doggonit!
Best wishes for someone who, during my short time here, has tied with several other Dopers for my “Favorite Poster Besides Cecil Award.” Any man who, confronted with adversity, tries to imagine what Jesus and Robert Heinlein would do can’t be half bad.
That’s too bad. 
I have always admired Polycarp’s writing ability and the wisdom in his posts. I hope things improve for him soon, as I can think of few more worthy of good fortune than he.
He’s out of work for a year? His car was repossessed? How do we get in touch with him to help him, RT?
Another Atheist for Polycarp. No spare laptop, but I’ll gladly chip in the shipping charges for getting one to him, and consider it an honor.
Another sad blow to a yucky year and a very yucky month. Polycarp is enlightening and a pleasure to converse with in any conversation. It is a blessing to have him and his sweet wife in our lives.
We live near the Carps.We are in the Raleigh area, but too far out for the bus to be an option.Phone is a problem for them. As a result, I am not sure how to get in touch with them right now. Jobs in this area are tough to find right now, even for hard workers like Poly and my Tygr. I really feel for Poly and his wife and understand greatly what they are going through at this time. I think Tygr might know something of what Poly is looking for job wise since they used to work together and I believe they have talked some about jobs he has looked into. I will tell him about this thread.
I will continue to pray for something good to happen.We really can’t help at the moment financially since we are not fully employed either, but we have a lot of love, prayers and support to offer.
RT, if you have a way to get in touch, we had hoped to get togther with Poly and the wife around Christmas. Thanks for the info, as sad as it is.
God Bless Polycarp and his wife.
Damn.
There’s no contest. Polycarp is the person I respect most on this board. He’s also one of the reasons I think as highly of this place as I do.
RTFirefly, I’d e-mailed him asking for his snail mail address so I could send him a Christmas card. I’d still like to do so, if you wouldn’t mind checking with him and e-mailing me his address.
Also, if you folks don’t mind, I’d like to put in writing what I’ve been praying while writing this. I’ll put it in a spoiler box.
Lord, I know I’ve been nagging you about a job for the past four months. Forget about me – I can manage for several months yet. Please, find a suitable job for Polycarp. With You, all things are possible; please make this so.
CJ
Well this definately sucks. I hope that everything turns out right for Polycarp. I have faith that it will.
Ok… we’ve gotten several folks that have offered PC, or finances to help with an ISP… even a nasty cheap one like AOL or something.
The next step is how to put these things together.
I know there are enough Dopes in their area… I know that we as a group can do this.
Heck, I’m broke as hell, but at least I can spare a fiver in an envelope every few weeks to help with the ISP. My Pagan ways demand that sort of thing every now and again anyways… 
So who will lead the charge? Who is close enough to them IRL to be sent things to take to them, be it cards, cash, PC’s or other things?
Enough prayer. Time for a bit of action.
It sounds like what Polycarp really needs is a car. My brother has a habit of buying beat up old things for about $500 and fixing them up so they run well enough to pass inspection, if not by much (there was one car which had reversing lights but did not actually go in reverse). Would it be possible for someone close to Polycarp to locate such a car and get it fixed up? I’d be willing to chip in for purchase and/or repair.
Also, does anyone know if Polycarp’s church is doing anything to help? The Episcopal Church paid my rent for me once when things got particularly bad in Hawaii, and most congregations do have funds specifically for this sort of thing. If someone could get me the name of his church and one way of contacting it, address, e-mail address, or telephone number, I’ll make the request. If he doesn’t have a car, I suspect he’s having a hard time getting to church. I also suspect his church will miss him as much as we do. If nothing else, it would be nice for him and his family to attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, whatever his tradition is.
RT, I know you’ll be keeping Polycarp informed and, if he objects to the idea of me contacting his church because of pride, tell him it’s my pride, not his, and I don’t like to see anyone in need, especially not someone I respect as much as I do him.
I’ve seen the members of this Board work together to do marvelous things. Whatever your religion, I think most of you will admit that Polycarp is a terrific example of a Christian. What say we give him a miracle for Christmas?!
CJ
This is a terrific idea. Is there anyway we could set up a fund or anything? Does the MB look down on that…
I don’t know what the “rules” are about that stuff around here. I can say that Polycarp will definitely be missed! I’m sending good thoughts, prayers and wishes to him and his family. Miracles can happen - and I’d be willing to help with that little miracle if we can manage a way to figure out what we can do to help.
Poly, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Keep the faith, brother. The big man will provide.
This is a thread that should be in ATMB - Polycarp is as important to this board as the hamsters.
Obviously, I am all over the prayers for Polycarp (and cjhoworth). But let’s get something going online to help out. Get him a 'puter, get him an online account, get something set up to help with the bills - let’s go.
Right at Christmas time, too. Santa Doper, anyone?
Regards,
Shodan
If we’re all chipping in, count on me.
I want to help.
Is someone who lives nearby and knows him IRL going to provide an address/paypal account for contributions? Please post information ASAP, Christmas is fast approaching!
Man - what Early Out said.
Something surely wrong, when such things happen to such people.
Yes, I would much, MUCH rather see the board’s philanthropy go to things like this than to chipping in for plane tickets for people to go to Dopefests, or even the much-loved baby showers and Secret Santa stuff. I mean, I participate in both of those quite willingly and happily, but perhaps there are greater needs and better uses for our spare $$.
Is anyone familiar with modestneeds.org? This fellow once got his ass saved with a $150 gift from someone to pay his rent. Once he was back on his feet, he decided there needed to be an organization that could do stuff like that. So he set aside 15% of his own income to do it. Since then he’s gained contributors who like his idea. Check it out. Perhaps some of us Dopers could start something similar. Unaffiliated with the boards. Run by several trusted Dopers via a paypal account, and with requests vetted by a small group of trusted posters.