This weekend was no exception.  Ross had a big Christmas tree sale happening, and they also had a yummy-looking bake sale going all day Sunday (possibly Saturday too, I didn’t swing by that day).  The place was chock full of families and community volunteers all working to raise money for the school.  The trees look fantastic and smelled even better.  It was all very charming.  Even better, the tree sale is still going on.  If you don’t have yours yet I encourage you to visit Ross!

Unfortunately, WEAVE’s work will end by 2010.  The closure announcement cited a decline in charitable giving and “shifts in government priorities” for  the funding shortfall that is causing the shut-down.  In past years WEAVE had received $800,000 from the D.C. Office of Victim Services.  Back in July, sensing the city’s financial strain, WEAVE urged its volunteers and donors to contact City Council members to ask for their continued support of domestic violence services.  Despite these efforts, the Council made significant cuts to victim services programs (along with a whole host of other cutbacks) and WEAVE lost its funding.  Fundraising from private donors could not close the gap.

I have been volunteering with WEAVE for years, and I am heartbroken that they are closing.  The staff is wonderful and has been providing an invaluable service to the D.C. community since 1996.  Well done, WEAVE, we’ll miss you.

Update on 9/26:  WEAVE has launched a fundraising site to keep it afloat.  Visit www.saveweave.org for more information or to donate.