Monthly Archives: April 2020

Pay It Forward – Virtual Hugs for Heroes

Community,

 

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC have kicked their philanthropic efforts into overdrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has truly been a rough time for people in general but especially healthcare professionals and first responders. There has been a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) around the country that has affected the way doctors and nurses do their job. However, they have remained strong and united in fighting this disease.

As partners, Easterns and Fox 5 DC recognizes the numerous sacrifices that healthcare professionals have made during the pandemic. The pair made the choice to Pay It Forward by providing free meals from HalfSmoke to over 200 nurses and staff at Howard University Hospital In Washington D.C. It is important that they are properly nourished while working these long shifts. Fox 5 DC cameras were on site to capture the meals being dropped off to Chief Nursing Officer of Howard University Hospital, Dr. India Medley. She took some time to speak with both Allison Seymour of Fox 5 DC and Joel Bassam of Easterns on a video call. Dr. Medley discussed the dangers of coronavirus, steps that her team is taking, and ways to flatten the curve. As a country, we are truly lucky to have such great healthcare workers that risk their lives each and every day to keep Americans healthy and safe.?

 

If you know someone in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area that goes above and beyond the call and is worthy of being recognized, Click here to nominate them.

Watch the video to see the way everything unfolded.

YouTube Link – https://youtu.be/Tx28l8jbblI

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/community-comes-together-to-provide-enough-food-to-feed-200-hospital-workers

Road to a Better Community – Feeding Families Affected by COVID-19

Community,
There is absolutely no doubt that this current COVID-19 pandemic has shifted America as we know it.? With the unemployment rate at more than 20 percent and millions struggling, there are many in need of assistance right now.? Easterns Automotive Group came together with WUSA 9 once again to sponsor their Road to a Better Community segment and help those directly affected by COVID-19.? According to the CDC, Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person.? One of the amazing non-profit organizations that stepped up during this unprecedented time was Manna Food Center located in Montgomery County, Maryland.? They have been serving their Maryland community since 1983 through food distribution, education, and advocacy.   When COVID-19 hit, Manna Food Center had to shift their attention and adapt to how quickly things were changing.? They are in the process of developing a solution that is more efficient for those in need during this tough time.? One way that they are adapting is by doing home deliveries to the homes of seniors and medical conditions.? Each pack that goes out includes about a week?s worth of grocery for those that can?t currently leave their home.? A drive-thru for food pickup has also been started as a convenient and safe way for families in need to get food yet still practice social distancing.? A huge focus of Manna Food Center has also been feeding students that are out of school due to this virus.? Many children count on those meals given during the school day.   Easterns Automotive Group made the choice to support by donating $2,500 to Manna Food Center for their incredible work in the community.? Joel Bassam of Easterns was happy to do this because giving back as always been a part of their DNA.? They are a company that truly believes in helping the people that have in turn helped them stay in business for 30+ years.? Manna Food Center has so many ways that people can get involved.? If you would like to find out more, please visit www.mannafood.org   To learn more about Easterns Automotive Group?s partnership with WUSA 9 and how they come together to empower the DMV community, please visit www.wusa9.com/BetterCommunity

Pay It Forward – Supporting Montgomery County Hospitals and Restaurants

Community,

Unfortunately, COVID-19 aka coronavirus has affected over 5,000 people to date just in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia alone.? With all non-essential businesses closed in the area many businesses have begun to suffer.? All restaurants are closed for dine-in but still remain open for takeout and delivery.? A Montgomery County woman by the name of Julie Sapper joined Mandy Starley Coelho?s Facebook group that supports Montgomery County restaurants during this economically tough time.? They order takeout from local area restaurants and donate the meals to the staff at local hospitals.? By doing this, they are able to help keep certain restaurants afloat while still helping the healthcare workers working day and day out to help patients with this virus.

The success of Heidi Forster Gertner inspired Sapper after finding out that she raised almost $9,000 to feed the staff at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.? Sapper reached out to Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, Maryland to set up the same thing with them.? She had the help of a great sponsor, Mitch Wool of the Bean Bag Deli & Catering Company who is helping them to deliver 1,400 meals to their emergency room staff.

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC got wind of this and decided to Pay It Forward.? Normally, this segment is done in person but due to coronavirus and social distancing, all parties decided to do a video conference.? Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined Sapper and Allison Seymour of Fox 5 DC to make a donation for $2,000 to keep their wonderful work going. If you would like to join this Facebook group to support Montgomery County restaurants, please click here.

 

If you know someone in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area that goes above and beyond the call and is worthy of being recognized, Click here to nominate them. ?

Watch the video to see the way everything unfolded.

 

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/WnGYO04ZwxI

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-residents-come-together-on-facebook-to-feed-hospital-staff