At Easterns, we believe strong communities are built by the people who show up every day to make a difference. Through our ongoing partnership with ABC7 News, we spotlight local organizations creating real impact across the DMV. On this segment, we were proud to support My Neighbor’s Keeper Alliance, a Prince George’s County nonprofit focused on empowering youth and promoting drug-free futures.
My Neighbor’s Keeper Alliance is tackling a hard truth head-on: minority youth are disproportionately targeted by substance abuse risks. Their work centers on raising awareness, strengthening families, and giving young people the tools and support they need long before they’re faced with those pressures. Founder Ruth Chi and her team work directly inside public schools, serving middle and high school students with education, mentorship, service learning, and community engagement.
Their reach doesn’t stop at classrooms. The organization hosts events throughout the year to uplift Prince George’s County families, and this season, they’re launching a collaborative toy drive with Concern For Kids and Vision and Purpose Media Productions to support local children in need.
During the segment, ABC7’s Kellye Lynn surprised Chi with a $1,100 donation from Easterns Automotive Group to help fuel their holiday efforts.
“This is wonderful—thank you so much. We’ll be able to get toys, coats, and donations for young people and families,” Chi shared.
We’re honored to stand alongside organizations like My Neighbor’s Keeper Alliance that are actively reshaping what support looks like for our youth.
At Easterns Automotive Group, serving our community is part of who we are. For this edition of Giving a Lift with FOX45 News, we were proud to surprise and support First Fruits Farm, an organization making a measurable impact on food insecurity across the region.
First Fruits Farm operates on 281 acres in Freeland, Maryland, where every crop is grown solely for donation. None of the produce is sold. Instead, it is delivered to food banks, pantries, shelters, churches, schools, and nonprofits across Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. For families facing food insecurity, this work is essential.
The farm partners with more than 300 organizations, including the Maryland Food Bank, Central PA Food Bank, and the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston. Volunteers from all backgrounds come together to plant, harvest, and distribute fresh food to communities that need it most.
The farm also leads the Flourish Project, which supports marginalized groups through hands-on farming, giving them space to grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
During our visit, Easterns Automotive Group donated $2,200 to support the farm’s ongoing efforts. It is a small contribution toward a mission that works tirelessly every day, and we are proud to stand beside them.
This holiday season, First Fruits Farm will host Journey to Joy, a drive-thru live nativity experience at 20431 Middletown Road in Freeland, Maryland, on December 19, 20, and 21, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Organizations like First Fruits Farm remind us what community support truly looks like. That is why Giving a Lift exists.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe that community is built through action. When we learn about people doing extraordinary work, we step in — not for credit, but because it is the right thing to do. That’s exactly how we felt after seeing the story behind Operation Second Chance.
Operation Second Chance is a Maryland nonprofit that supports our military veterans every single day. Their mission is grounded in compassion and necessity: providing financial assistance, emotional support, and a place for rest and recovery for wounded, ill, or injured veterans and their families.
The organization was founded 21 years ago by Cindy McGrew, who spent years visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. What she witnessed there changed everything — the physical hardships, the emotional toll, and the tremendous financial strain families endured were impossible to ignore. Cindy decided no one should face that alone. Out of that commitment, Operation Second Chance was born.
Through the years, the organization has provided emergency financial assistance covering mortgage payments, rent, utilities, groceries, and other essential needs. Their work expanded even further in 2020 when they purchased a beautiful retreat property called Heroes Ridge. For many families, this is their first real vacation — a peaceful environment fully funded by Operation Second Chance, from travel to lodging to all activities. For veterans living at or below the poverty line, these moments of rest are not luxuries. They are lifelines.
Cindy shared how difficult it is to sustain the level of support her organization provides. She personally writes the checks covering mortgages, rent, and utilities. That level of responsibility requires constant community backing — and that’s where we wanted to help.
As part of our ongoing 7News Helping Hands partnership, 7News’ Kellye Lynn surprised Cindy with a $1,100 donation from Easterns Automotive Group. The funds will go directly toward meals, activities, and travel costs for veterans and their families who rely on Heroes Ridge and the organization’s emergency support.
Cindy’s gratitude was immediate and heartfelt. She emphasized how every dollar is stretched to meet real, urgent needs. Her work is a reminder that support for our veterans must continue long after their service ends.
At Easterns, we are proud to stand alongside organizations like Operation Second Chance — groups that show what it truly means to care for one another. Supporting them is more than a donation. It’s a commitment to the people who have sacrificed for our country and deserve dignity, stability, and a second chance.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe that community is built through action. When we learn about people doing extraordinary work, we step in — not for credit, but because it is the right thing to do. That’s exactly how we felt after seeing the story behind Operation Second Chance.
Operation Second Chance is a Maryland nonprofit that supports our military veterans every single day. Their mission is grounded in compassion and necessity: providing financial assistance, emotional support, and a place for rest and recovery for wounded, ill, or injured veterans and their families.
The organization was founded 21 years ago by Cindy McGrew, who spent years visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. What she witnessed there changed everything — the physical hardships, the emotional toll, and the tremendous financial strain families endured were impossible to ignore. Cindy decided no one should face that alone. Out of that commitment, Operation Second Chance was born.
Through the years, the organization has provided emergency financial assistance covering mortgage payments, rent, utilities, groceries, and other essential needs. Their work expanded even further in 2020 when they purchased a beautiful retreat property called Heroes Ridge. For many families, this is their first real vacation — a peaceful environment fully funded by Operation Second Chance, from travel to lodging to all activities. For veterans living at or below the poverty line, these moments of rest are not luxuries. They are lifelines.
Cindy shared how difficult it is to sustain the level of support her organization provides. She personally writes the checks covering mortgages, rent, and utilities. That level of responsibility requires constant community backing — and that’s where we wanted to help.
As part of our ongoing 7News Helping Hands partnership, 7News’ Kellye Lynn surprised Cindy with a $1,100 donation from Easterns Automotive Group. The funds will go directly toward meals, activities, and travel costs for veterans and their families who rely on Heroes Ridge and the organization’s emergency support.
Cindy’s gratitude was immediate and heartfelt. She emphasized how every dollar is stretched to meet real, urgent needs. Her work is a reminder that support for our veterans must continue long after their service ends.
At Easterns, we are proud to stand alongside organizations like Operation Second Chance — groups that show what it truly means to care for one another. Supporting them is more than a donation. It’s a commitment to the people who have sacrificed for our country and deserve dignity, stability, and a second chance.
In Lanham, Maryland, one local nonprofit is proving that compassion can change lives—one pair of socks at a time. For the Love of Socks, founded by Capri Coleman, is on a mission to make sure no one in the DMV area goes without essentials like clothing, shoes, socks, toiletries, and school supplies.
As Capri explains, “I saw people who needed clothes. They needed shoes. They needed socks and toiletries. That’s what inspired me to start this organization.”
Right now, the nonprofit is extending its kindness into the Halloween season—collecting costumes for children whose families can’t afford them. They’re asking for community donations of new or gently used costumes, and they’ll even travel to pick them up. Anyone interested in donating can reach out to capri.coleman@gmail.com to arrange a pickup time.
Despite the growing impact of her organization, Coleman is still funding most of the operation herself. To support her work and help cover the cost of storage space, Easterns Automotive Group proudly surprised Capri with a $1,100 Helping Hands check, ensuring her team can continue making a difference for families across the region.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe in driving change both on and off the lot. Capri’s passion for helping others reflects the very heart of what community means—showing up, lifting each other up, and spreading love through action.
To learn more about For the Love of Socks or to get involved, contact Capri at capri.coleman@gmail.com. Together, we can make sure every child feels cared for—this season and beyond.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe strong communities are built on opportunity, and that opportunity often begins with our youth. Sports and fitness not only build healthy bodies, minds, and spirits, but they also open doors to brighter futures. That is why we were proud to donate $2,200 to support the Southwest Sports & Fitness Alliance and their ongoing work to empower the young people of Southwest Baltimore.
Southwest Baltimore includes the Poppleton, Pigtown, Hollins Market, Franklin Square, Union Square, Mount Clare, and Barre Circle neighborhoods. These communities have faced decades of disinvestment. Many of the schools in these areas continue to struggle with limited resources, high teacher turnover, and deteriorating facilities. Yet, amid these challenges, residents and local leaders are pushing forward with hope and determination to create meaningful change.
The Southwest Sports & Fitness Alliance is at the heart of that movement. Their mission is to unite Southwest Baltimore through sports and fitness by offering safe, accessible, and affordable programs for children and families. Thanks to neighborhood and church volunteers, the Poppleton Recreation Center has been renovated and now serves as a hub for youth to learn, grow, and connect in a positive environment.
Beyond the game, the Alliance focuses on youth development and creating pathways for future success by offering scholarships, sports-focused summer camps, and workforce development programs that connect youth and adults with professional opportunities. Their work transforms not just athletes, but entire communities.
When we surprised the organization with our $2,200 donation, their gratitude was overwhelming. For us, the real reward is knowing that our contribution helps keep their programs running strong and continues to build confidence, discipline, and opportunity for the next generation.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we are more than a car dealership. We are a partner in progress, committed to driving change one community at a time.
Getting access to quality STEM programs outside the classroom can be difficult for underserved children who can’t afford it, but an initiative in Loudoun County is helping change that. 7News’ Kellye Lynn recently met the founder of “Educating With Love” in Leesburg to learn more.
Every child deserves supplementary education to learn something they might not be able to due to limited finances. Educating With Love introduces students to everything from science to cooking to music, serving hundreds of students every year from kindergarten all the way up to the 12th grade.
“We have a consistent nine-week summer camp for free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout Loudoun County,” The Very Rev. Daniel Vélez-Rivera said. “Our primary goal is to keep this program consistent, and you’re able to do that by keeping the staff consistent. You want to make sure you properly compensate these individuals who are so valuable to getting things taken care of.”
Vélez-Rivera said that they need more resources to help pay for their limited staff. Lynn then surprised Father Daniel with an $1,100 check from Easterns Automotive Group as a part of the 7News Helping Hands initiative.
“You know there’s a saying in my home country in Puerto Rico that every grain of sand makes a big beach. This is part of the big beach. We’re really grateful!” Vélez-Rivera said.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe every child deserves the chance to explore their potential, whether that is through education, creativity, or community involvement. We are proud to support programs like Educating With Love that bring opportunity and inspiration to our future generation.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe in recognizing the people who go above and beyond to serve others — not for praise, but out of genuine compassion. That’s why, on this week’s Pay It Forward with Fox 5 DC, we were honored to spotlight David Keuhner, founder and president of One Family Gives, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families, veterans, and individuals facing life’s toughest challenges.
David’s organization operates on a simple but powerful idea: giving doesn’t always mean money. Sometimes it’s as small as helping a neighbor with their yard or providing comfort to someone who feels forgotten. Through One Family Gives, David and his team have assisted countless people — from children battling cancer to Gold Star families coping with loss.
His commitment to service is deeply personal. Inspired by his late father, a Vietnam veteran who served two tours before passing when David was just six years old, David has dedicated his life to helping others — especially military families. His friends nominated him for Pay It Forward to recognize the tremendous heart and hard work he’s poured into his community.
To show our gratitude, Easterns Automotive Group surprised David with a $2,000 donation to help One Family Gives continue its mission. This holiday season, David plans to use the funds to provide gifts for about 40 children from military families he’s personally adopted to support.
We’re proud to honor David and One Family Gives for their selfless dedication to serving others — proving that one person truly can make a difference.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we love supporting organizations that go the extra mile to lift up their communities. That’s why we partnered with Fox Baltimore for another edition of Giving a Lift to shine a spotlight on Free Bikes 4 Kidz, a nonprofit bringing joy and freedom to thousands of children through the simple act of riding a bike.
Last year alone, Free Bikes 4 Kidz gave away over 3,000 bikes to kids in need — and they’re not slowing down. Led by President Ted Cochran, the organization’s mission is to collect, refurbish, and donate bikes so every child can experience the thrill of riding. What began with just 500 bikes in 2019 has grown tremendously, especially during the pandemic when biking became one of the safest and most popular outdoor activities.
The team’s goal is simple but powerful: teach kids to ride confidently, provide helmets for safety, and put smiles on as many faces as possible. Each December, two weeks before Christmas, Free Bikes 4 Kidz hosts a massive giveaway day — where more than 2,000 kids receive bikes. It’s one of those rare moments where Santa takes a backseat because every child is too busy riding their new wheels.
To keep this mission rolling, Free Bikes 4 Kidz depends on volunteers, donations, and community support. Whether you can fix a chain, pump up a tire, or simply lend a hand, every bit helps.
At Easterns, we wanted to “give a lift” to the people who’ve been lifting others. That’s why we surprised Ted and his team with a $2,200 donation to help purchase new helmets and bikes for the upcoming giveaway.
We’re proud to support Free Bikes 4 Kidz and their inspiring mission to spread joy, confidence, and opportunity — one bike at a time.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe no student should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. That’s why we partnered with ABC 7 News for our Helping Hands initiative to spotlightFood For Neighbors, a nonprofit making a big impact in Northern Virginia.
Food insecurity affects nearly one in four middle and high school students in the region. To combat this, Food For Neighbors created the Red Bag Program, which invites community members to fill red bags with student-friendly food. These bags are collected five times a year, sorted, and then distributed directly to schools. This system empowers teachers, counselors, and social workers to ensure food reaches students who need it most.
What started nine years ago with just two schools and 100 kids has grown into a lifeline feeding more than 10,000 students across Northern Virginia. But with many schools still waiting to join the program, the need continues to grow.
During our visit, 7News’ Kellye Lynn surprised Executive Director Karen Joseph with an $1,100 donation from Easterns Automotive Group to help sustain and expand their mission.
We are proud to support Food For Neighbors and the incredible work they’re doing to fight hunger, one red bag at a time.
At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe every student deserves the tools they need to succeed. That’s why we partnered with 7News for another edition of our Helping Hands initiative — this time surprising a group of hard-working students in Prince George’s County with brand-new laptops to start the school year.
7News meteorologist Jordan Evans joined us at Andrew Jackson Academy in District Heights, Maryland, where students from kindergarten through eighth grade gathered for the big reveal. Before the surprise, Principal Warren Tweety shared his excitement for what lies ahead:
“We’re looking forward to the greatness that’s going to happen this year, and with these babies here, it is going to happen with our big surprise,” said Principal Tweety.
The recipients were chosen because they earned a spot on the Principal’s Honor Roll, each maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. Their dedication to learning made them the perfect candidates for this special moment.
When the laptops were unveiled live on 7News, the students’ faces lit up with excitement. Both the children and the school community expressed their gratitude, knowing these devices will open new doors for learning, creativity, and achievement throughout the year.
At Easterns, supporting education is at the heart of our mission. We’re proud to help invest in the next generation of leaders right here in our community.