Monthly Archives: November 2017

Easterns Automotive Group generously donates to a Woodbridge family to help get service dog for their autistic son

Community

Service dogs have been known to sooth some children with severe autism. Parents of children with autism are beginning to seek service dogs for help. Amy Hoffman and her family have been working hard to raise $13,000. This is the amount that they will need to have a service dog trained for their son, Eiji.

At just four years old, Eiji suffers from regular seizures. The Hoffmann family has joined forces with an Ohio non-profit called 4 Paws for Ability. They have raised about $6,000 thus far ? which is half is what they needed.

During this time, their other son, 2-year-old Kai, has also been diagnosed with autism. As if this wasn?t enough, their townhome in Woodbridge has been broken into. Needless to say, this has been quite a difficult time for the Hoffman family.

Amy was unaware that FOX 5 wouldn?t be her only visitor on Thursday. A surprise was also on the way.

Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group had just made a deposit of $6,915 to the Hoffman?s fundraising account. This amount is the balance needed to meet their goal in order to get Eiji his service dog.

?We?ve been in this community for 26 years and we?re always looking for great ways to give back,? Bassam said. ?We just want to touch the lives of the people we give to. It?s one of those things that is just a perfect fit for us.?

?I don?t know who this guy is, but I just want to hug him,? Hoffman said after greeting Bassam. ?Thank you so much. I can?t say it enough.?

It will take approximately 15 months for Eiji?s dog to be trained

Easterns Automotive Group has partnered with FOX 5 DC to help honor people in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community who go above and beyond the call. If you know someone worthy if being recognized, Click here to nominate them – http://www.fox5dc.com/pay-it-forward

Link to original story: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/archive/1489727-story

Easterns Automotive Group gives Our Neighbor?s Child gets a big surprise

Community

The month of December is a busy month for all of us all with Christmas right around the corner. Kelly Lavin was shopping like the rest of us during the holiday season but doing it for a different cause.

Kelly runs a Virginia based charity called Our Neighbor?s Child. This charity helps more than 700 families during the holiday season.

Last month, Beth Parker from Fox 5 did a story on Kelly and her generous efforts.

Little did she know that she was in for a surprise. On Tuesday morning, Kelly joined Holly Morris from Fox 5 to discuss how things went with her charity. During the visit, Easterns Automotive Group decided to contribute and gift Kelly?s foundation with a truck full of toys to help the children next year. She was very emotional accepting the generous contribution from Easterns.

Easterns Automotive Group has partnered with FOX 5 DC to help honor people in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community who go above and beyond the call. If you know someone worthy if being recognized, Click here to nominate them – http://www.fox5dc.com/pay-it-forward

Link to original story: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward/1491798-story

Pay It Forward: Fox 5 DC and Easterns surprise Salvation Army volunteer

Community

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group partnered up again to give back during the holidays. The two have partnered up quite a bit during the last few years to help those in need. They created a segment called ?Pay It Forward? that highlights them being generous and helping needing assistance.

In December 2016, a woman by the name of Catherine caught their attention. Catherine works year round as a volunteer for the Prince George?s County Salvation Army. She gives her undivided time and attention to those in need all while recovering from a health scare of her own. About 10 years ago, Catherine suffered a stroke that really set her back. Allison Seymore of Fox 5 was joined by Easterns Automotive Group to give Catherine a surprise.

?I didn?t know my name, I did not read and write. I didn?t know anything,? she explained.

Easterns took it a step further and donated $1,000 to the Prince George?s County Salvation Army to help out with their expenses. Catherine took the time to thank Easterns Autmotive Group and Fox 5 DC for the tremendous help during the holidays. We need more generous people like Catherine and the Salvation Army in this world!

Easterns Automotive Group has partnered with FOX 5 DC to help honor people in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community who go above and beyond the call. If you know someone worthy if being recognized, Click here to nominate them – http://www.fox5dc.com/pay-it-forward

Link to original story: http://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward/1491798-story

 

Easterns Charity | Fox 5 DC | Pay It Forward | Prince George?s County Salvation Army

 

Easterns Automotive Group partners with ADESA at NADA Charity Auction to raise over $94,000 for Canine Companions

Community

 

Every year the biggest and most important figures of the automotive industry come together and gather at the NADA Convention and Expo. For those unfamiliar, NADA stands for National Automobile Dealers Association. The entire convention lasts for weekend an entire weekend with different events, exhibits, and seminars happening on each day. This is the time when the car dealers are able to meet face-to-face with the top tier executives of the major auto manufactures. The NADA Convention is something that car dealers truly look forward to each and every year because it brings together car dealers from all over the country. Consider this event a giant family reunion for automotive industry.

The special aspect about the NADA Convention is that is in a different city every year. This allows everyone the opportunity to network and enjoy the same festivities in a new city. The NADA Convention for 2017 was just held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the end of January. 2017 marks a special year for NADA because they are celebrating 100 years of service to dealers. Robert Bassam (CEO) and Joel Bassam (Director of Marketing) went to represent on behalf of Easterns Automotive Group. According to them, the highlight of the convention did not really involve cars in particular, it involved giving back. Hearing this is not a surprise since charity and giving back are a huge part of the Easterns DNA. Easterns has a long-running relationship with ADESA Auto Auction. ADESA made the charitable choice to auction off vehicle for the Canine Companions for Independence nonprofit organization and the NADA Foundation. Robert Bassam placed the first winning bid of $39,000 for the Polaris UTV. After Robert won the Polaris, he decided to donate it back to ADESA to be re-auctioned. The Polaris was won again by Joe Verde, president of Joe Verde Group in San Juan Capistrano, California who placed a bid of $26,000. Mr. Verde also donated the vehicle back to be re-auctioned. The vehicle was won a third time by Joel Bassam who laced the winning bid of $28,000. The combined total of the money from the auction and the cash donations came to $94,423.

For those unfamiliar, Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1975. The purpose of this organization is to provide highly trained assistance dogs to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, particularly veterans and children. Retired Army Sgt. Steve Blackman and his service dog, Gottlieb, attended the NADA convention this year to represent Canine Companions. He was able to speak on his disabilities and how having a service dog not only gives one companionship but also offers immense help and support. The NADA Foundation supports various causes such as emergency medical care as well as higher education. It?s certain to say that the money raised this year will definitely be put to good use.


(Photo Includes ? Jeff Carlson, 2016 NADA Chairman; Annette Sykora, NADA Foundation chair; Joe Verde, president of Joe Verde Group; Robert Bassam and Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group; Peter Welch, NADA president; and Stephanie St- Hilaire, ADESA president and CEO)

Eastern Motors Charity | Canine Companions for Independence | ADESA Charity Auction

 

Throwback Thursday Clip of the Week ? Eastern Motors ?Make It Rain? Commercial w/ Fat Joe

Throwback Thursday

It?s time again for the Throwback Thursday Clip of the Week. Easterns went with a Grammy nominated rapper for this commercial by the name of Fat Joe. Many know of Fat Joe from his notable hits, ?Lean Back?, ?Make It Rain?, and most recently ?All The Way Up?. Aside from Biz Markie, Fat Joe is the only other rapper that has had his own Easterns commercial. They chose to base the commercial around his hit at the time which was ?Make It Rain? featuring Lil Wayne. In the commercial, Fat Joe jokes with the salesman about the wipers not working. The salesman jokes back with Fat Joe about making it rain while having Fat Joe?s song playing in the background. Genius! Easterns was able to snag Fat Joe very soon after the song released back in 2007. According to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), ?Make It Rain? went platinum selling over 1 millon records. Fat Joe also always made it known that he had a love for cars so it made perfect sense to collaborate. The people of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community welcomed Fat Joe with open arms when they saw that he was on board with Easterns. Watch this clip to see Fat Joe and Easterns making history.

Redskins Rides ? PJ & Val give Anthony Lanier II a tour of their tailgating truck

Washington Football Team

We?re back! Reporting live from Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia where we just filmed a brand new edition of Redskins Rides. Redskins Rides is brought to you by Easterns Automotive Group along with the Washington Redskins. Easterns thought that the perfect person for this segment would be defensive end, Anthony Lanier II. With Lanier being such a tall guy at 6?6?, they definitely wanted to give him a Redskins Ride that he could actually relate to. He met his match with PJ and Val. These two are the proud owners of the super spacious 2008 Ford F-350 Lariat Super Duty pickup truck. The first noticeable attribute of the truck is how high it sits off the ground. The rims and tires are huge! Val purchased the truck in stock condition a few years ago from a friend. He has spent the last three years customizing the truck to fit his tailgating needs. Since being introduced to American football by a friend, Val loves traveling in his truck to different cities and attending various NFL games. We want to thank Val and PJ for taking the time to show us their custom Redskins Ride. Stay tuned for many more Redskins Rides in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community.

Redskins Rides ? Kari gives Chris Thompson a tour of her custom 2016 Boss Hoss

Washington Football Team

Back again! This week we have a great edition of Redskins Rides in store for you all on behalf of Easterns Automotive Group (Eastern Motors) and the Washington Redskins. This edition is very unique because it is the very first time we have featured a trike. A trike is a 3 wheeled bike in this case it?s also in the form of a motorcycle. Kari met up with Chris Thompson of the Redskins at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia to discuss her unique ride. Kari is the proud owner of a 2016 Boss Hoss 450 with a 1957 Chevy engine. It doesn?t get much more astonishing than that! The royal blue paint with the silver stripes makes it look like a beast. She gets a lot of attention on the road because most people are just blown away by the custom design and the fact that it?s a motorcycle on 3 wheels. Her favorite customization on the bike is the name ?Sparkle? that she got put on the trunk. The reason she chose that name is because of her love for jewelry and sparkly items. This trike is amazing! We want to thank Kari for giving us an exclusive look at her custom ride. Stay tuned for many more Redskins Rides in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community.

Redskins Rides ? Jim gives Chris Thompson a tour of his awesome 1956 Chevy Bel Air

Washington Football Team

A new week means we?re back to bring you a new edition of Redskins Rides presented by Easterns Automotive Group (Eastern Motors) and the Washington Redskins. Last night the Redskins won their game over the Seahawks so of course everyone in the DMV metro area is very excited. Among those that were ecstatic was Jim, a lifelong Redskins fan. Jim met up with Chris Thompson of the Redskins at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia to discuss his very own Redskins Ride. Jim is the proud owner of a 1956 Chevy Bel Air (hard top edition). Shortly after Jim purchased the vehicle, he got it painted a custom burgundy metallic color with gold flakes in the paint. When the sun hits the paint it makes the car look so magnificent. We?ve been asking around to see if anyone has seen a Bel Air quite like Jim?s but so far the unanimous answer has been no. There are even Redskins flags on top of both windows that wave in the wind while the car is in motion. This entire project of customizing the car and making it personal has been a labor of love for Jim. It has become something that he thoroughly enjoys doing. He informed us that he has been a Redskins season ticket holder since 1967. Wow! There is no denying that Jim is a diehard Skins fan. Awesome ride! We want to thank him for giving is an exclusive look at his custom ride. Stay tuned for many more Redskins Rides in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community.

Redskins Rides ? Daniel and Jesse show off both of their 1963 Chevy Impalas at Redskins Park

Washington Football Team

Hello, beautiful people! This week, we have doubled the fun for you all. Of course that means we have another edition of Redskins Rides but we have two amazing rides this time. We recently met with both Daniel and Jesse at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia to see their awesome cars. They both own a 1963 Chevy Impala but they are both different from each other yet unique in their own way. Daniel purchased his 1963 Impala convertible back in 2005 and is a member of Individuals Car Club of Woodbridge, Virginia. He found the car in Ontario, Canada and brought it to the DMV area where he has been working on it ever since. The teal metallic paint job with the custom paint designs definitely separates this Impala from the rest. The part of this Impala that really makes it stand on its own is the custom aircraft hydraulic system that Daniel had installed in the trunk.

Jesse has owned his fire engine red Chevy Impala for about 12 years. The car caught on fire last year causing him to have to re-do the entire vehicle all over again. Like Daniel, his Redskins Ride also has a hydraulic system. He discussed the excitement that people have when they see the car on hydraulics. Most people have only seen hydraulics on television so it?s definitely quite amazing to see in person. Originally, Jesse?s plan was just to have the car painted plain red. The painter showed Jesse some custom paint panels that he just couldn?t decline. It all worked out in the end because you definitely won?t see another Impala like it. Amazing rides, fellas! We want to thank this gentleman for giving us an exclusive look at their rides. Stay tuned for many more Redskins Rides in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community.


Pay It Forward: Easterns and Fox 5 help hairstylist to continue providing free haircuts to homeless

Events,

As the holiday season approaches, the importance of giving back and helping others is so very important. Although it?s important to give back year round, people sometimes need that extra boost during the colder months to overcome any obstacles that they are facing. Pay It Forward partners Easterns and Fox 5 DC have come together once again to help someone who is doing generous and amazing deeds in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community. For this edition of Pay It Forward, the two selected hair stylist, Laura Faehner Reed. Reed provides free haircuts to the homeless of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Reed has been busy helping out in her very own community for quite some time. The original reason that she started providing free haircuts was to boost the confidence of the homeless and provide a stepping stone to help them get on their feet. ?Some of them have job interviews and some of them already have jobs and just can?t afford haircuts.? Reed told Fox 5. It?s very important to let these people know that they haven?t been forgotten. Many people that are homeless don?t want to be there they are but have no choice at the moment. Some people have just simply made bad decisions but want to turn their life around, be happy, and prosper on to bigger and better things. Reed has a tremendous impact on those that she does help. The level of compassion she shows is remarkable because she knows that being homeless could happen to herself or anyone.

When Reed is not volunteering her time and talent, she is hard at work at 4&Co Salon in Rockville, Maryland and Ricks Chop Shop in Mount Airy, Maryland. She asks her clients for small donations as well as products to help her provide the free haircuts and shaves. Easterns and Fox 5 DC were blown away by her selflessness and her amazing generosity to the community. The two teamed up to help Pay It Forward by providing Reed with a bulk supply of non-perishable foods, $500 in gift cards for supplies, a towel steamer, as well as a gift certificate for personal spa day. It will be great for Reed to treat herself since she is always treating others. Click here to follow Reed on social media to keep up with her amazing efforts. Click here to donate to her Go Fund Me page as she?s currently collecting money to purchase winter clothes for the homeless.

Easterns Automotive Group has partnered with FOX 5 DC to help honor people in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community who go above and beyond the call. If you know someone worthy if being recognized, Click here to nominate them.

Link to original story