Last September amid significant financial setbacks we needed to close an $80,000 gap. And with your help – and difficult cuts – we did it. In the last five months we have received over 250 donations, in amounts ranging from $5 to $10,000. In addition to some painful cutbacks, we've raised over $55,000 from individual supporters. Many of you gave and very generously. We could not be more grateful or bolstered by your support. We simply wouldn't be here without you.
We look forward to sharing a more complete update on our reality and future in the next month. To continue operating sustainably in the future, we must:
• Generate income from some of our land,
• Increase our rental business,
• Restructure our mortgage, and
• Ensure that we are raising $8,000 from individuals each month like you who value the work and this place. If you meant to donate in 2010 and didn't get a chance, start 2011 off right with a gift. Just click here to make a secure donation on our website.
In mid-December we said goodbye to Jesse Vega-Frey who transitioned from his work with stone circles to his primary vocation of teaching meditation. Jesse has been a vital part of the organization for the past seven years. In addition to providing enormous energy in getting The Stone House off the ground, Jesse helped guide our spiritual activism fellowship, stewarded the redesign of our website, offered teaching and training, and served as a vital presence here on the land. He's currently in Burma, managing a 3-week retreat for his teacher, Michele McDonald. You can see his teaching schedule here. We miss him, wish him well and look forward to overlapping paths going forward.