Category Archives: Community

Pay It Forward – Lorton Community Action Center

Community, Uncategorized

Lorton Community Action Center saw a need in the face of the pandemic and wanted to make sure families had a wonderful holiday season. Over 300 families signed up to receive assistance for the holidays. That’s why they kicked collecting toys and food for a community distribution day into overdrive.

For those families who were just barely surviving, this holiday season has been challenging due to the pandemic, according to the center’s executive director, Linda Patterson. “We want to help them, take the stress off trying to make the holidays enjoyable for these families who’ve seen so much heartbreak this year,” she says.

They were committed to providing food, toys, and resources to those who needed them the most. They worked tirelessly to gather donations to distribute, and we had a secret surprise on this Pay It forward. To support this incredible project, we donated $2,000 to buy toys for the center. LCAC provided toys, store gift cards, and food gift cards for more than 351 households, reaching 1,272 individuals.

Pay It Forward – Veteran Eddie Smith

Community

A Vietnam veteran who served in the military for two tours, Mr. Smith, affectionately known as Mr. Eddie, has come through some very dark times yet still has the heart to serve.

Even though everyone in his family was in the army or navy at 19, he decided to join the Marnie Corp. His experience with racism as a marine motivated him to become a respected leader while serving in the military. 

In October, the 82-year-old veteran lost his home of 40 years in a fire, forcing him to start over. Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined with a surprise! “The dedication you’ve shown your country through your two tours in Vietnam and to the community after your military service is absolutely incredible. We were hurt to hear about what happened to your home and wanted to brighten your day a little.”

During their honeymoon in Jamaica, Mr. Eddie and his wife Paula intended to return. But they weren’t able to due to the pandemic and the fire. In honor of his service, Easterns Automotive Group is sending the couple on an all-expenses-paid trip to Jamaica. 

Completely shocked, the entire family was speechless and brought to tears. If you know someone who should be featured on Pay It Forward, you can nominate them here. In your email, be sure to include who they are and why they deserve to be recognized.

Helping Hands – Santa’s Helpers

Community, Uncategorized

During the holidays, a Fredericksburg couple goes above and beyond to ensure Christmas is a joyful time for their children in the community. Michelle Donnelly and her husband Mike Donnelly have filled a 20-foot U-Haul with thousands of toys that they have collected over the last year.

It’s a labor of love for the Fredericksburg couple who voluntarily donate toys to Toys for Tots every year. “We don’t have kids so this is even better for us,” Michelle said. “It wasn’t until 2016 we received a blessing and we were able to give back.” They are now forming a nonprofit organization called Santa’s Helpers, more than six years after they first started.

“Usually box stores will overstock for Christmas, and then once Christmas is over, they start to discount their stuff and in January we go out,” Michelle said. “A lot of our friends and family, if they are out and about and they see a deal, they call us and we have a good system.”

In appreciation of the Donnelly’s tireless work, Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive joined with a special surprise. “We were blown away by the way that you are helping spread holiday cheer with Santa’s Helpers. We want to donate $2,000 so that you can keep collecting those toys for the community,” Bassam said.

They were overwhelmed with joy at the donation they received from Easterns. “I can’t even tell you what we can do with $2,000,” Michelle said. “It’s amazing. This can fill up one-half of the room because we are very smart about our shopping. I’m floored.”

Pay It Forward – Soles4Souls

Community, Uncategorized

Chris Cabrera has a sustainability line called Naturally London.
It is a botanical-based award-winning foot and hair care line that focuses on transparency and sustainability. This pairs perfectly with the mission of Souls4Soles because they keep shoes out of landfills and provide resources for others around the world.

Sometimes we have more shoes than we need, and somewhere there are others with no shoes at all. There is an organization that changes that. Soles4Souls works with various locations so that people in the community can drop off shoes for those in need. After making sure the shoes are good quality they ship them out.

Easterns Automotive Group heard of the amazing things that Soles4Souls was doing and wanted to help with this awesome mission. We surprised them with $500 worth of shoes and purchased $1,500 worth of foot soap for first responders and hospital staff! Completely speeches you could see the joy in Chris’s face as she accepted the check. She was honored that Naturally London would have the opportunity to help support our everyday heroes.

Helping Hands – The Neighborhood Well

Community, Uncategorized,

Omolayo Adebayo recently launched a program in Maryland that provides showers for the homeless called The Neighborhood Well. When Adebayo is not practicing law as an attorney, she devotes her time and energy to this mission. It is the first non-profit organization of its kind that provides mobile showers to homeless individuals.

“I love encouraging people. My name means, ‘This child brings us joy,'” Adebayo said, smiling. “My parents have always instilled in me to give and give freely.” Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group was touched by Adebayo’s selfless nature and wanted to help in any way he could.

“The Neighborhood Well is a truly amazing organization. The way that you all are providing resources to people experiencing homelessness for them to take the first steps to achieve self-sufficiency is an incredible way to help those individuals,” Bassam said. “We want to donate $2,000 so you can continue supporting those people and achieving the amazing work that you are doing in your community.”

It will help with the purchase of supplies, water disposal, maintenance, and other issues, Adebayo said. “I am overjoyed and always overwhelmed when people see the same vision that I see because it’s not easy to walk this journey,” Adebayo said.

Get Up Give Back – Hope Connections

Community, Uncategorized,

Hope Connections for Cancer Support believes that no patient should face cancer alone. The organization provides emotional and physical support to people living with cancer.

Get Up DC’s Allison Seymour met with the non-profit’s president and CEO, Mary McCusker. Hope Connections helps cancer patients cope with the mind-body connection through its support groups while receiving medical treatments.

“There is something very therapeutic to be able to sit in a room of people that know exactly what you’re going through and what you’re feeling at any given time,” McCusker said. “And then also the physical side. We offer gentle yoga, Pilates, mind-body boxing, and also meditation and relaxation, and all of the things that will really help you on that journey.”

Hope Connections also provides educational programs run by a medical advisory board of professionals. These experts provide information on cancer treatment options and how to deal with fatigue related to cancer.

We had the opportunity to surprise McCusker and donate $1,000 to Hope Connections. McCusker was happy just to share about Hope Connections but walked away in awe by this surprise!

Pay It Forward – Blessings Box

Community, Uncategorized,

Residents in a Capitol Heights neighborhood joined together to create what they call the “Blessing Box.” It is a large box in their community full of food for others to take when in need. Maureen Umeh met with two community members to learn more about the different things they do to help each other. One neighbor shared that she has a garden and often gives away fresh vegetables to others in the community.

Inspired by these neighbors coming together to help one another Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined with a special surprise, “You guys show that blessings begin with a heart to give! We want to be a blessing to you and your neighbors by giving each household a $100 gift card to help with their Thanksgiving day shopping!” The neighbors lit up with joy and excitement as they heard the good news!

Helping Hands – St. Stephens Baptist Church & Project Bright Future

Community, Uncategorized,

Every Tuesday, St. Stephens Baptist Church in Temple Hills has a massive food distribution for those in need in the community. “We’re excited about serving the community. We’ve got all kinds of food. We’ve got produce. We’ve got chicken. We’ve got pork chops, apples. We’ve got sweet potatoes, and we’re giving it all away until it’s gone. We do it every Tuesday consistently,” said Bishop Lanier Twyman, Sr., Senior Pastor at St. Stephens Baptist Church.

Driven by volunteers, they have about 60 volunteers every week to help distribute food but could use the help of others. Serving the community doesn’t stop with food distribution. About ten years ago, St. Stephens Baptist Church in Temple Hills, Maryland, started a mentor program called “Project Bright Future.” The program mentors young children and prepares them to be a better part of their community and pursue college degrees.

Their great deeds of service got the attention of our 7News Helping Hands campaign.

Joel Bassam joined virtually to share a special message for St. Stephens Baptist Church, “Hi there, I’m Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group. We were blown away by what you guys are trying to do—feeding people and giving people clothes. Helping them in any way they need without anything in return is the best way to give. We want to help you continue to do that by donating $2,000, so you can continue to help those in the community. Thank you,”

Blown away by this donation, St. Stephens Baptist Church cheered in excitement! We are honored to be able to help such a fantastic cause.

Helping Hands: Ellie’s Hats

Community, Uncategorized

Ellie was a kindergartner at Jay Coakley’s school diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the spring of 2013. She had lost most of her hair by the time she was in kindergarten and wore hats every day to school.

Coakley bought her many hats and later set up a non-profit organization called Ellie’s Hats to help other pediatric patients. “What I learned along the way is the hats are great for the kids,” Coakley said. “But there is a financial burden from families due to their child being treated for cancer.”

Ellie’s Hats has evolved beyond hats to support families financially. Through Ellie’s Hats, they created a program that gives $1,000 to 5 families in need a month and has helped 175 families with a monetary donation.

As a part of this 7 News Helping Hands, Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined with a special surprise for Jay Coakley and Ellie’s Hats.

“Ellie’s Hats is such an amazing story, started by helping one person and blossoming into a way to help as many people as possible by granting wishes,” Bassam said. “The way you are sticking to your singular goal of brightening a child’s day is incredible. We want to help you continue to do that by donating $2,000 to your cause to continue to brighten as many kids’ days as possible. Continue doing the amazing work.”

Instead of helping five families next month, this allows them to help seven. They have currently given away $150,000 to families in need, which puts them one step closer to their goal of giving away $200,000!

Helping Hands: Operation Renewed Hope Foundation

Community, Uncategorized,

The Fairfax County non-profit, Operation Renewed Hope Foundation, is on a mission to end veteran homelessness by helping veterans get back on their feet, one home at a time.

Deborah Snyder is a former army helicopter pilot and the President of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation. She says the work to end veteran homelessness never stops, and giving back is in her blood. In this Helping Hands segment, she is renovating a four-bedroom home for a veteran family.

Snyder’s dedication to helping veterans led Easterns Automotive Group to make the non-profit a 7 News Helping Hands recipient. 7 News met with her inside the Alexandria home that she will be giving to the next veteran family on Veteran’s Day.

“What Operation Renewed Hope Foundation is doing, providing quality housing for the nation’s veterans who are experiencing homelessness, is incredible,” Bassam said. “We want to help you continue to break that cycle for those who have selflessly served this nation by donating $2,000 to your cause. Please continue doing the amazing work that you are doing and helping those who are in need.”

“Usually, it’s us giving the surprise to the veterans, but thank you so much to Easterns for the surprise. This is fantastic!” Snyder laughed.
Snyder.