WGirls DC WEAVEs A Little (Chocolate) Happiness @ Co Co. Sala

NORTHWEST -- While only less than a year old, WGirls DC had no trouble channeling a steady stream of supporters to the always tempting lounge area of Penn Quarter favorite Co Co. Sala on Tuesday night for a happy hour fundraiser benefiting WEAVE (Women Empowered Against Violence).

Much like the original WGirls chapter (which was founded out of New York City in 2007), the D.C. spinoff of this now national organization focuses on providing underprivileged women and children with the support and resources they need to become healthy, productive, successful, and, of course, happy adults.

Since it was formed just a few months ago, the District chapter has seen its membership swell from a handful of women to an extended network that now numbers close to 100 supporters (the non-profit's core membership numbers between 30-40 active women).

And last night, those supporters descended upon one of the closest places to chocolate nirvana there is as they sipped and nibbled on a variety of treats (you owe it to yourself to try their Co Cojito!) at the F Street chocolate lounge well-known to area residents as Co Co. Sala.

Executive Chef Santosh Tiptur, Operations Manager Rachid Hadouche, and co-owner Bharet Malhotra were all on hand to demonstrate their support and ensure that the evening went smoothly (it did).

An enthusiastic advocate for local charitable causes (we last covered them when they triumphed at this year's Sweet Charity event), Co Co. Sala had generously agreed to provide its signature cocktails to WGirls supporters yesterday at a discounted price (guests only had to pay the $5 cost of admission) for the happy hour event.

The chocolate lounge & boutique also donated two $25 gift certificates to WGirls DC that were raffled-off at the end of the festivities, with all proceeds -- from both the raffle and ticket sales -- benefiting WEAVE.

A D.C.-based non-profit, WEAVE works closely with adult and teen survivors of relationship violence and abuse on legal, counseling, economic, and educational issues, so that they (and their children) can safely emerge from otherwise tragic situations to lead empowered lives.

All told, WGirls DC raised more than $600 for WEAVE on Tuesday. Chocolate & charity. Pretty sweet!