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Urgent: Help Shawn Powers & Family

Jan 17, 2010  By Justin Ryan
Shawn Powers and daughter

Today is a day of grief for Linux Journal. This afternoon, Associate Editor Shawn Powers' home burned down — though we don't know many details yet, we do know that Shawn, his wife Donna, and their three girls were not home at the time, but their pets were lost.

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Shawn is one of the warmest, kindest, and most big-hearted people we know. Anyone who has met him, in the offline world or online knows that he is an amazing person, and is constantly focused on others. We at Linux Journal are privileged to know him, and compelled to offer whatever assistance we can in this troubled time.

The Linux and Open Source community is filled with generous individuals, and we are asking those who are moved to offer their help to Shawn and his family to please do so. We have set up a ChipIn page at helpshawnpowersfamily.chipin.com to collect donations — it is a testament to the generosity of this community that in less than three hours, almost $2,500 has been raised.

We know technology donations will be greatly appreciated, and if you have equipment you would like to donate, please email Linux Journal's publisher, Carlie Fairchild.

Shawn has been posting updates to Twitter and photos to Natuba, for those who would like to follow the situation. Please feel free to leave words of encouragement and solidarity in the comments here — you can also do so on his Facebook page. Update: Shawn posted additional details to his blog from his office earlier this evening.

Please know, this isn't Shawn asking for help — he has no clue we've organized anything. This is the Linux Journal team, as a family, asking our community to aid one of our own. We appreciate your generosity, and we know Shawn will too.

With appreciation,

The Linux Journal Team

______________________

Justin Ryan is a Contributing Editor for Linux Journal.

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Insurance?

Treah's picture
Submitted by Treah (not verified) on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 19:23.

So are we assuming that he has no home owners insurance that's going to take care of this? Sorry to start the hate but seriously why am I going to donate money to someone who is going to be getting an big insurance check?

Shawn

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 01:38.

Shawn, the important thing is that most of your family did not get injured, poor pets. Hopefully with help from the communities, you will be back in your home soon. Best wishes to you and your family.

Sorry

bebe76's picture
Submitted by bebe76 (not verified) on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 07:32.

I have no money to give , unfortunatelly , but i want them to know that they have all my support , although is just a moral support .
Best of luck .

It all counts

Carlie Fairchild's picture
Submitted by Carlie Fairchild on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 13:31.

Moral support and just spreading the word are some of the best gifts you can give Shawn's family during this time.

Carlie Fairchild is the publisher of Linux Journal.

Very sorry to learn of this

Dietrich T. Schmitz's picture
Submitted by Dietrich T. Schmitz (not verified) on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 07:00.

Pets are members of Family too.

But I am very happy that Mother, Father and children are safe.

May God Bless you with a 'new beginning'.

Dietrich T. Schmitz

With Best Wishes

sevatt's picture
Submitted by sevatt on Sun, 01/17/2010 - 23:57.

Very happy you and your family are safe!

An update on Shawn's situation

Carlie Fairchild's picture
Submitted by Carlie Fairchild on Sun, 01/17/2010 - 21:26.

We've posted a short update on Shawn's current situation here, http://helpshawnpowersfamily.chipin.com/.

Carlie Fairchild is the publisher of Linux Journal.

Shawn

smpratz's picture
Submitted by smpratz on Sun, 01/17/2010 - 21:21.

Hang in there, Shawn. You've got friends you don't even know!

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