D.C. Nonprofit Sought Real Groundhog For Celebration

We all heard what Punxatawney Phil had to say about the length of winter this year, but what did Potomac Phil have to say?

If you're wondering who Potomac Phil is, don't be alarmed, he's relatively new.  He's also not alive, but that's beside the point.  WTOP reported yesterday that Dupont Festival, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, was seeking a live groundhog for its first annual Groundhog Day celebration in Dupont Circle Park.

The nonprofit had already spoken with the D.C. National Zoo, but they only offered prairie dogs, which didn't quite fit the bill.  The WTOP article directed readers to the organization's website, where anyone with information on how to get a live groundhog could contact them.

Dupont Festival eventually had to settle for a stuffed groundhog donated from Miss Pixie's Furnishings & Whatnot, a local D.C. store.  Thus was born Potomac Phil, who made his prediction for winter known to the public at 8 a.m. this morning.  And just like Punxatawney Phil, he predicted six more weeks of winter.  D.C. councilman Jack Evans attended the celebration, and declared that from now on, February 2 will be D.C. Groundhog Day.  So even if they didn't get a real groundhog, Dupont Festival at least got themselves a new holiday.

You can read the full story on the WTOP website.

Holiday Giving A Challenge For Some Nonprofits

It may be the season of giving, but that doesn't mean nonprofits will be seeing a lot of that this year.

The holidays have traditionally been a major source of revenue for organizations and, in recent years, holiday giving has actually done fairly well.  Yet giving suffered during the summer according to the most recent Blackbaud Index of Giving and, The Durango Herald, many La Planta County, Colorado nonprofits are already facing major challenges for the winter holidays.

Many of the nonprofits in this county make a big portion of their budget during this time of the year.  Their success during the holidays could determine a years worth of work.  And with donors' wallets shrinking because of the economic downturn, nonprofits in the area are competing for dollars.   The situation has grown even more dire as the demand for the services of these organizations have increased.  For example, the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross has seen holiday giving decrease significantly during the last few years.  This is despite the fact that house fires erupt more frequently during the holidays due to candles and other lightings.

Despite all of this turmoil, some charities have collaborated.  For example, Music in the Mountains raffled off 25-year ski passes to Durango Mountain Resort.  So while it looks like this holiday season may be tough for some Colorado nonprofits, they are hopeful they will be able to get through the season intact.  Make sure to read the full article on this subject in The Durango Herald.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving!  Since we will all be busy stuffing our faces with turkey and other great food, there will be no new blog posts until Monday of next week.  Enjoy the holiday!