At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe in supporting our community and investing in the next generation. That’s why we teamed up with 7News Helping Hands to surprise The Eastern Ridge School in Great Falls, Virginia, with a special donation.

A Unique Approach to Education

The Eastern Ridge School takes a nature-based approach to learning, giving children the opportunity to explore, create, and grow in an outdoor environment. Even when the snow falls, this school remains open, allowing students to embrace the weather by sledding and building snowmen together.

As Director Julie Liddle explains, their philosophy is simple:

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”

Rather than relying on traditional manufactured toys, Eastern Ridge encourages students to play with natural elements like wooden planks and tires—materials that foster creativity, problem-solving, and physical strength. This hands-on approach allows children to develop coordination, teamwork, and an appreciation for the natural world around them.

The Helping Hands Surprise

7News’ Kellye Lynn recently visited The Eastern Ridge School to learn more about this incredible learning environment. During the visit, she had a special surprise in store—a Helping Hands donation of $1,100 from Easterns Automotive Group!

“It’s so impressive to us that we want to support your mission here and share what you’re doing with our viewers, as well as offer you a little bit of financial help,” said Lynn as she presented the check.

Director Julie Liddle was beyond grateful, sharing that the donation will help rebuild their art barn, making it more accessible to children. It will also allow the school to offer workshops for public school teachers, spreading their unique educational philosophy to even more students.

Investing in the Future

At Easterns Automotive Group, we’re honored to support organizations that are making a real difference. The Eastern Ridge School is shaping young minds in an innovative way, and we’re excited to be a part of their journey.

To learn more about this incredible school and their mission, visit The Eastern Ridge School website.

Stay tuned for more stories of community impact as we continue to give back through Helping Hands!

As the new year inspires many to focus on self-improvement, one local nonprofit is taking the lead in empowering women throughout the DMV to prioritize holistic health. It Takes a Village Collaborative is making a meaningful impact by fostering community conversations and raising awareness about wellness.

7News’ Joy Wang recently interviewed the leaders of this inspiring organization to learn more about their mission and the stories behind their work.

“[My sister and I] co-founded the organization in 2019. I’m younger than her, and we were both going through life transitions, and it was centered around our health without us knowing,” shared co-founder Shoareged Phillpotts. “We were both like, ‘We need to do something about this.’ We wanted to do something for our community because we have colleagues who are struggling and friends who are going through the same thing.”

It Takes a Village Collaborative is dedicated to promoting wellness habits, particularly among historically underrepresented groups in the DMV. Through retreats, wellness circles, and community cohorts, the organization provides safe spaces and resources to help individuals navigate their mental, physical, and emotional health.

“It is very important for us to focus on our mind, body, and spirit in a holistic way as individuals in this community, where we have a lot of trauma, stress, lack of community, and lack of communication,” said Sydni Turner, the organization’s board chair.

At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe in supporting organizations that uplift and strengthen our community. When we learned about the impactful work of It Takes a Village Collaborative, we wanted to show our support by making a $1,100 donation to their cause.

“This is the perfect start to our year,” said Phillpotts. “We have a goal to transition and fully lean into this work, so this is a great kickstart for us and just motivating to know that the work we’re doing is important, and that we have to keep doing it.”

At Easterns, we’re proud to contribute to the important work being done by It Takes a Village Collaborative. Their commitment to fostering holistic health and supporting underserved communities aligns with our belief in creating a better future for everyone.

We look forward to seeing how their efforts continue to transform lives across the DMV. If you’re inspired by their mission, we encourage you to learn more about how you can support their work or get involved in your community. Together, we can all make a difference.

Here’s to a healthier, stronger, and more connected DMV in 2025!