For many veterans, returning home doesn’t mean the battle is over. Organizations like Leashes of Valor are helping make the transition a little easier — one service dog and one veteran at a time.

As part of FOX 5’s Pay It Forward series, sponsored by Easterns Automotive Group, we recently had the opportunity to recognize Leashes of Valor with a $2,200 donation to support its life-changing work.

Based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Leashes of Valor provides highly trained service dogs at no cost to wounded and disabled post-9/11 veterans, including veterans throughout the DMV.

A Mission Born From Personal Experience

Leashes of Valor was founded by combat-wounded Marine Corps veteran Jason Haag, whose own experience with a service dog inspired him to help other veterans facing similar challenges.

After serving 14 years in the Marine Corps and completing multiple tours overseas, Jason struggled with his recovery after returning home. He credits his first service dog, Axel, with helping him reconnect with his family, his community and everyday life.

“Axel saved my life,” Jason shared during his interview with FOX 5. “It’s the whole reason I’m here. It’s the whole reason Leashes of Valor exists.”

That experience became the foundation for an organization dedicated to giving other veterans the same opportunity.

One Leash Can Change Two Lives

Leashes of Valor lives by the message, “One leash saves two lives.”

Whenever possible, the organization works with dogs from shelters and rescue situations, giving them an opportunity to find purpose alongside the veterans they serve.

Preparing a service dog takes approximately 18 months and involves far more than teaching individual commands. Dogs must learn how to remain calm, focused and responsive in everyday environments, from stores and restaurants to crowded public spaces.

A network of foster families plays an important role in that process by helping socialize the dogs and prepare them for life alongside their future veteran partners.

To date, Leashes of Valor has completed more than 50 veteran and service-dog pairings.

Easterns Pays It Forward

During FOX 5’s visit to Leashes of Valor, Jason and his team learned that the organization had been nominated for the Pay It Forward program.

With support from Easterns Automotive Group, FOX 5 surprised the organization with a $2,200 donation.

Jason explained that the contribution could help cover a service dog’s medical care for an entire year and help the organization move another dog closer to being paired with a veteran.

For Easterns, supporting organizations like Leashes of Valor is what Pay It Forward is all about.

Our communities are filled with people and organizations doing extraordinary work every day, often without expecting recognition in return. We are proud to partner with FOX 5 to help shine a light on that work and provide support where it can make a meaningful difference.

How You Can Support Leashes of Valor

There are several ways the community can help Leashes of Valor continue its mission. Donations directly support the care and training of future service dogs, while foster families help prepare dogs for their eventual placements.

Simply spreading the word can make an impact too. Sharing the organization’s mission may help connect another veteran, volunteer, foster family or supporter with Leashes of Valor.

To learn more, visit LeashesofValor.org.

To learn more about Easterns Automotive Group’s ongoing commitment to the DMV community, visit Easterns.com/community.

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back to the communities we serve has always been an important part of who we are. Through our continued partnership with FOX 5 DC’s Pay It Forward initiative, we recently had the opportunity to support the Protect Us Kids Foundation with a $2,200 donation.

Protect Us Kids Foundation is dedicated to helping children and teenagers safely navigate today’s digital world. As young people spend more time online, they are increasingly exposed to challenges including cyberbullying, sextortion, misinformation, propaganda, and other online risks.

Founded by Vita Woods, Protect Us Kids Foundation provides what Woods describes as a “virtual safe haven” where young people can connect with one another in virtual and hybrid spaces. These environments give children and teens the opportunity to openly discuss the issues they encounter online, learn from their peers, and develop the knowledge and tools needed to better protect themselves.

During the FOX 5 DC Pay It Forward segment, Easterns Automotive Group surprised the organization with a $2,200 donation to help further its work.

“Oh, wow. Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much, Eastern Motors. This is wonderful,” Woods shared after learning about the donation.

Organizations like Protect Us Kids Foundation are doing important work to address challenges that continue to evolve alongside technology. Easterns is proud to support their mission and help provide young people with safer spaces to learn, communicate, and grow.

For more than 35 years, Easterns Automotive Group has made community involvement a cornerstone of our organization. At Easterns, it’s more than selling cars. It’s about supporting the communities we call home.

At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe strong communities are built by people who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to helping others succeed. That’s why we were honored to recognize the Empowering Community Leaders Network (ECLN) through our Pay It Forward program.

Recently, our team partnered with FOX 5 DC to surprise ECLN with a $2,200 donation to support their mission of empowering middle school girls in Frederick County through mentorship, leadership development, and personal growth opportunities.

Founded by Phyllis and Lorenzo York, the Empowering Community Leaders Network was created to provide mentorship and leadership opportunities for young girls during some of their most formative years. Their flagship program, SWAG Sisters (Wholesome Aspiring Toward Greatness), is a two-year mentoring initiative designed specifically for middle school girls, helping participants build confidence, self-esteem, leadership skills, public speaking abilities, and a strong sense of community involvement.

The Yorks recognized a need for programs that support young girls who are already making positive choices and simply need encouragement, guidance, and opportunities to grow. Through SWAG Sisters, students are exposed to a variety of experiences that help prepare them for future success, including leadership development, team-building activities, etiquette training, community service opportunities, and career exploration.

One of the program’s greatest strengths is its network of mentors and subject matter experts. Drawing from decades of professional and military experience, the organization can connect participants with professionals from a wide range of industries, allowing the girls to see successful role models who look like them and inspiring them to pursue their own goals with confidence.

As part of Easterns Automotive Group’s Pay It Forward initiative, we were proud to present ECLN with a $2,200 donation to help further their impact within the Frederick community. The organization plans to use the funding to expand outreach efforts to Spanish-speaking families in Frederick County, including bringing on a Spanish-speaking staff member who can help strengthen relationships, provide culturally relevant programming, and ensure more young people have access to mentorship opportunities.

Seeing the passion and dedication behind the Empowering Community Leaders Network was truly inspiring. Organizations like ECLN demonstrate the power of mentorship and the lasting impact that investing in young people can have on a community.

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back has always been an important part of who we are. Through our Pay It Forward program with Fox 5 DC, we are committed to supporting local nonprofits, community organizations, and individuals who are making a meaningful difference throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support the Empowering Community Leaders Network and look forward to seeing the continued success of the SWAG Sisters program and the many young leaders it helps develop for years to come.

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back to the community is part of who we are. Through FOX 5 DC’s Pay It Forward segment, we had the opportunity to recognize an organization doing critical work for families across our region: Bless Provisions Inc.

Founded by Priscilla Mau, Blessed Provisions is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting hygiene poverty by providing essential items like diapers, wipes, and menstrual hygiene products to families in need.

Priscilla’s journey to launching Blessed Provisions started with a simple desire to help. During the pandemic, she organized virtual diaper drives through her local ministry to support families facing hardship. After stepping away from her government role and pursuing doula training, she discovered there were no longer active diaper banks serving her county.

With her background in public health, she saw a clear need and stepped in to fill it.

“Blessed Provisions is a labor of love,” Priscilla shared during the segment.

Today, Blessed Provisions operates through a community-driven donation model, collecting supplies through local drop-off partners and distributing them to community organizations and families facing urgent need.

But for Priscilla, this work is about more than supplies.

She regularly meets mothers experiencing emergencies firsthand, including parents who have completely run out of diapers and need immediate help. One recent story that stayed with her involved a mother recently impacted by federal job cuts who found it difficult to ask for assistance.

Priscilla’s message was simple but powerful: seasons change, and no one should feel ashamed for needing support.

The reality is staggering. According to Blessed Provisions, one in two families struggles to afford enough diapers for their children, making diaper need a hidden but very real crisis affecting families every day.

To help support this mission, Easterns Automotive Group proudly presented Blessed Provisions with a $2,200 donation during the FOX 5 DC Pay It Forward segment.

The donation will help fund essential hygiene supplies and move Priscilla closer to an exciting next goal: launching a mobile diaper bank that can bring resources directly to families facing transportation barriers.

Meeting families where they are can make all the difference, and we’re honored to play a small role in helping that vision become reality.

At Easterns, we believe strong communities are built by people who show up for one another, and Blessed Provisions is doing exactly that.

Thank you to FOX 5 DC for highlighting organizations making a real impact, and thank you to Priscilla Mau and Blessed Provisions for the life-changing work you do every day.

Want to support Blessed Provisions? Consider donating hygiene supplies or learning more about how you can help local families in need.

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back means recognizing the people doing the real work in our communities and making sure they have the support to keep going.

This month, our Pay It Forward initiative highlighted Bowie CLAW, an organization built around a simple but important idea: many pets don’t need rescuing from their homes, they need support so they can stay in them.

Bowie CLAW exists because there’s a real need to help pet owners keep their animals during difficult times. That’s why they created a pet pantry, providing food and essential supplies to families who need it. It’s a smart, preventative approach that keeps cats out of shelters and in the homes where they belong.

Their work doesn’t stop there. They help get cats spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and fully prepared for adoption, all while working to find them the right forever homes. They also assist with some financial resources and offer volunteer opportunities for those who want to be part of the mission.

What makes their impact even more meaningful? The entire operation is run by volunteers. No one on their team is paid. It’s people showing up purely because they care.

Karen House, President of Bowie CLAW, and Paul Nadler, Vice President and dedicated cat trapper, joined us on FOX 5 DC’s Pay It Forward segment, bringing along two kittens that instantly won everyone over. But behind that moment was the reality of what it takes to do this work.

It costs Bowie CLAW about $400 to prepare a single cat for adoption, covering vet bills, vaccinations, food, and care. That adds up quickly.

That’s why Easterns Automotive Group was proud to step in with a $2,200 donation to support their mission. The reaction said it all. They were genuinely surprised and deeply appreciative because this kind of support directly impacts how many animals they can help.

This is exactly what Pay It Forward is about. Not just recognition, but real, tangible support for organizations making a difference every day.

We’re honored to stand behind Bowie CLAW and the work they’re doing to protect animals, support families, and strengthen our community.

To learn more or get involved, keep an eye on our future Pay It Forward features as we continue to highlight organizations that deserve to be seen and supported.

When hardship hits, it rarely gives warning. A job loss. A medical bill. A utility shut-off notice. For too many families in northern Anne Arundel County, these moments can quickly spiral into crisis.

That’s why we’re proud to support the North County Emergency Outreach Network (NCEON), an organization that has quietly and consistently stepped in when neighbors need help the most.

Since 1989, NCEON has provided more than $10 million in financial assistance and food resources to individuals and families in Glen Burnie, Hanover, Linthicum, Pasadena, and Severn. Their work reaches people facing food insecurity, underemployment or unemployment, mental health challenges, low incomes, and unexpected emergencies. They also assist with court-ordered evictions, utility shut-off notices, medication needs, and referrals to additional community resources.

What stands out most is how this work gets done. NCEON operates without government funding. Instead, its impact is powered by individual donors and a network of 36 partner churches and organizations. That’s community taking care of community, no shortcuts, no headlines, just real help when it’s needed.

Through our Giving A Lift initiative, Easterns Automotive Group is helping spotlight the critical role NCEON plays in our neighbors’ lives. As part of this effort, we’re making a $2,200 financial contribution to directly support their ongoing programs and outreach.

This isn’t about a single donation. It’s about momentum. Awareness leads to action, and action leads to stability for families who are doing their best to get back on their feet.

Founded in 2022 in the Frederick, Maryland area by Jenifer and Brian Zimmer, Helping Hands and Caring Hearts was created out of a clear need. As a social worker, Jenifer repeatedly saw people reach out for help only to be handed a phone number or referred elsewhere instead of receiving real support. Rather than accept that reality, she and Brian decided to build something different.

One of the organization’s most impactful programs is their food pantry, which operates like a grocery store. Families are able to walk through and choose the items they actually want and need, instead of being given a pre packed bag and sent home. That ability to choose restores dignity and allows people to feel seen and respected.

They also operate Dress to Impress, a program designed to help individuals returning to the workforce with professional clothing for interviews and new jobs. The goal is simple but powerful. Remove barriers so people can show up confident and prepared.

Another meaningful initiative is their Birthday Club, which supports children ages zero to ten. For families experiencing financial strain, birthdays can be incredibly difficult. The Birthday Club helps parents celebrate their children with a cake and a toy, ensuring no child feels forgotten on their special day.

After seeing the impact of their work firsthand, Easterns Automotive Group surprised Helping Hands and Caring Hearts with a two thousand dollar donation to support their mission. This contribution will go toward their mobile unit, which allows them to distribute clothing directly in the community and includes a private dressing room to ensure comfort and dignity.

The gratitude and emotion in the room made it clear. This is the kind of work that matters.

At Easterns, we’re committed to showing up for the organizations that keep our communities supported year-round. Through our partnership with ABC7’s Helping Hands, we recently highlighted Ebenezer COG Outreach Ministries, a Hyattsville nonprofit that consistently steps up for Prince George’s County families.

Every month, hundreds of families line up early on Saturday mornings to receive food, clothing, and even holiday toys—essentials Ebenezer COG works tirelessly to provide. Their team tackles food insecurity head-on, distributing food weekly with support from Capital Area Food Bank and Feeding America. Beyond that, they host an Easter giveaway, a back-to-school and health fair, and other events designed to meet families where they are.

Leaders Bishop Chris Benjamin and Olive Cox are key to making this outreach possible, bringing steady commitment to a growing community need.

“Food insecurity is pretty evident right now. We’re happy that we’re able to serve the community in this way,” Benjamin shared.

During the segment, ABC7’s Kellye Lynn surprised Ebenezer COG Outreach Ministries with a $1,100 donation from Easterns Automotive Group to help fuel their ongoing efforts. Their gratitude said everything.

“I’m blown away. I’m very grateful for this!” Cox said.

We’re honored to support the people and organizations doing the real work to uplift families across the region.