Category Archives: Community

Helping Hands: Aaliyah in Action

Community, Uncategorized,

A former Washington, D.C. teacher who delivered a stillborn baby last year is now on a journey herself to help others. Having lost her own child in December 2020, Elizabeth O’Donnell launched a nonprofit called Aaliyah in Action to assist mothers who have lost a child at birth. O’Donnell explained that she is now a stillbirth advocate full-time.

The organization partners with local hospitals to provide free self-care packages to families grieving. Most of the items in the box are items from local businesses or items created by families who have experienced loss. Supporting small businesses was also very important to O’Donnell as she gathered ideas for what to include in the boxes. Each box has a pair of fuzzy socks, lip balm, a face mask, and lavender shower steamers.

“They are not meant to make anybody feel better because that’s not possible,” O’Donnell said. “But it’s a gentle hug from someone who knows the pain.”

From Easterns Automotive Group, Joel Bassam learned about O’Donnell’s work in the community and decided to make her a 7News Helping Hands recipient.

“When Helping Hands brought us the story of the way you have turned this life experience of a way to help other individuals who are going through something so traumatic, we were blown away. We want to donate $2,000 to Aaliyah in Action to help support those individuals going through this terrible time, help them take the next steps in their lives with the boxes you are giving to them, and the bereavement support as well.”

Elizabeth was blown away and shared that this donation would help her reach more families and hospitals.

Helping Hands – Homes Not Borders

Community, Uncategorized,

Recently an empty Maryland apartment was transformed into a home for two women to start their new life in the U.S. If it weren’t for volunteers and Homes Not Borders, they would come home to an empty apartment. Homes Not Borders’ mission is to provide the refugee, Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), and asylum-seeking population of the D.C. area with what they need to thrive and feel at home in the United States.

Laura Osuri, the groups executive director, said her home setups for those in need tripled as Afghan refugees entered the United States and continue to be in high demand.

Moved by the hard work Homes Not Borders has put into making sure the families are comfortable in their new homes, Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined with a special surprise.

“We were blown away by what you were able to achieve at Homes Not Borders, helping individuals and families when they need it most by helping them find homes and employment. It’s absolutely incredible,” said Joel Bassam with Easterns Automotive Group. “We wanted to donate $2,000 to your cause to help those most in need. Continue to do everything you are doing.”

Laura was overwhelmed by Eastern’s generous gift. “It’s wonderful,” she replied. “We are looking to hire more staff. We have a lot to do, so this can help with that.”

Pay It Forward – Manizi Azizi Helps Families Who Fled Afghanistan

Community, Uncategorized,

For the past month, thousands of Afghans have been fleeing Afghanistan. Some of these refugees are starting a new life here in America with nothing but a Maryland resident named Manizha Aziz has decided to pay it forward and help.

Aziz understood how these families felt since she came to this country as a refugee with her family years ago. She first volunteered with local groups and helped distribute donated items, but soon, refugees reached out to her directly because she spoke Farsi.

They felt comfortable with Aziz because she was once in their shoes. Aziz worked for weeks and had a trailer full of items ready for the families until it was stolen from a parking lot in College Park, Maryland. 

Aziz didn’t let that stop her with the help of family and friends; she started over and began to collect more donations and distribute items needed to families. Many families asked for things like diapers and winter clothes because of the upcoming winter months, and that has been her current goal.  

Heartbroken by what happened to Aziz’s trailer, we wanted to help replace some of the stolen items. Joel Bassam, President of Easterns Automotive Group, told Azizi that the company would be donating to help clear her wish list on Amazon. Manizha was speechless and grateful as she received the check for $2,000.

If you know someone who should be featured on Pay It Forward, you can nominate them by emailing wttgpayitforward@foxtv.com. In your message, be sure to include who they are and why they deserve to be recognized.

Helping Hands – Laptop Surprise for Rose Valley Elementary School Students

Community,

As children begin to make it back to school after a challenging year, we surprised Prince George’s County families with something special to help kick off their school year. With the help of Rose Valley Elementary School Principal Dr. Sharon Porter, Kidd O’Shea revealed the surprise live last Wednesday on 7 News. Ten students from Rose Valley Elementary received brand new laptops.

“Our theme is ‘Strive For 5.’ With that, we strive for five-star academics, five-star performance, five-star attendance, behavior, and character,” explained Rose Valley Elementary School Principal Dr. Sharon Porter. “So these students were part of that ‘Strive for 5’ third quarter last year. We’re really excited to have them for this big surprise.”

Joel Bassam, joined to share a special message, ‘We wanted to support Prince George’s County schools once again this year by donating 10 laptops to your students to use as they see fit. Continue doing the amazing work, and you’re going to have an amazing school year once again.”

We are always want to help others in our community. If you know a person or organization that deserves a “7News Helping Hand,” contact 7News, today!

Helping Hands – Fountain Community Enrichment

Community,

The pandemic has drastically changed lives leaving some searching for assistance, and a nonprofit in upper Marlboro, Maryland, has been supporting thousands since the beginning.

The Fountain Community Enrichment has been doing fantastic work to provide food for those in need for the past 16 weeks. As they continue to help within the community, they found a need for more than food. Their food pantry has a unique approach to support other areas of need, such as counseling to help deal with everyday life situations such as debt, job loss, divorce, and substance abuse. They also host a community health fair,

Jose Gonzalez had a special surprise for Pastor John. Jose pulled out a large check from Easterns for $2,000 just for the Fountain Enrichment Community. Joel Bassam even joined to share how amazed he and the Eastern team were by their hard work.

Pay It Forward – Glen Mourning

Community, Uncategorized,

Glen Mourning is paying it forward by creating literary diversity for children all over. Glen Mourning, a former teacher, created the Crunchy Life book series so that kids could see themselves in stories and want to read more.

Glen can remember being bullied as a child for not being the best reader, and he is now a 5th-grade language teacher whose goal is to make literacy and reading fun for kids that are reluctant to read.

His book series is called Crunchy Life. The name was created as a way to encourage kids to keep going even when life gets hard or, as he likes to describe it, “crunchy.”

Lamont Geddis, the director of the Freedom School, expressed that having the books like Glen Mourning’s Crunchy Life helps the students to see an African American teacher and author with relatable books and brings the school alive. Students find it empowering to see other children in books that look like them.

Glen was completely shocked when Joel Bassam joined virtually to surprise him with a check for $1,500. Glen was so excited he announced, “Pizza for EVERYBODY!” as the Freedom School students jumped for joy.

Get Up Give Back – Step VA

Community,

Jan Monroe, the President of Step VA, joined to share more about the organization and what it does for the community. Monroe explained, “Step VA is a nonprofit that was founded back in 2013. And it supports people with varying levels of disability. We focus on Theatre Arts because we understand how empowering they are for all people, particularly those with varying disabilities and or particular challenges in day-to-day life.”

Their mission is to empower people with special needs through artistic expression and sensory exploration. Monroe shared that this program allows for freedom of expression, so they can meet people where they are, and they are easily able to adapt so that others feel comfortable.

Partnered with WUSA9, we were inspired by Step Va and its commitment to helping others in the community. We wanted to donate $1,000 to help towards their initiative.

Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 are always here to help. If you know someone in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area worthy of being helped or recognized, please contact Allison Seymour on social media. #GetUpDC #GetUpGiveBack

Helping Hands – Rustic Love Vienna

Community

After mother, Michelle Davila, saw an excellent idea on social media, she wanted to try it with her children and friends in her town of Vienna, and it has now blossomed into a way to improve the lives of their neighbors in need. Her children Lucas, Lia, and Ava, and a myriad of other friends started building small yard signs embellished with the outline of a heart. Their project is called Rustic Love Vienna, and they use proceeds to help others in need.

They started with only 12 and didn’t think people would want them, but it has grown to cause them and their mother to make more. People usually put the small signs in their front yard so everyone can see them throughout Vienna.

They give their proceeds to Lydia Russo, who runs a Facebook page called Vienna VA Foodies. When COVID-19 hit, she turned her once restaurant review site into a way to help struggling businesses, first responders, and food-insecure families. Vienna VA Foodies donates the money to eateries that then turned around to make and deliver meals to food-insecure families.

It has gotten so popular; they are now selling other heart-shaped items like shirts. They’ve even collaborated with Vienna Vinter owner, Victor Mendes, to create Rustic Love Vienna wine. For every bottle sold, he donates $10 to their cause.

In a year, they have raised more than $100,000 and have more than 2,500 signs throughout the Vienna community. In awe of the fantastic work, they are doing Joel Bassam stopped by with a special surprise. “We were touched by your story and the amazing thing you’ve been able to do with your kids, so we actually wanted to purchase a sign from you for $1,500 to continue what you are doing to support your community,” Bassam said.

Davila was stunned by Easterns’ surprise. “I’ve never gotten a big check before,” Davila said as she received the giant check to signify the donation from the Helping Hands program.

“It’s people helping people for no reason other than they saw a need and they are serving it and doing it in a creative way, and they are helping the community support each other. It’s really beautiful what you all have been able to do,” Bassam said to Davila and “Rustic Love Vienna.”

Helping Hands – The Open Goal Project

Community,

The average youth soccer player’s yearly cost ranges between $1,500 and $5,000, and due to the lack of financial resources, many kids are left out of leagues and unable to play. The nonprofit Open Goal Project provides opportunities for underprivileged children in Washington, D.C., to play competitive soccer.

The program gives kids the chance to showcase their skills in a family-oriented environment. Gio Ceron, a member of the Open Goal Project, expressed, “If I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t have all these friends, and I wouldn’t know all of these skills the coaches taught me,”

Easterns Automotive Group was inspired by what they do for our community and wanted to give back. Joel Bassam from Easterns joined in surprising Amir Lowery, co-founder and Executive Director of Open Goal Project.

“We were blown away by what you’re doing to support your community and support the dreams of those who are trying to play soccer at the next level,” said Joel Bassam. “We want to support you guys by donating $2,000 to continue to spread the love and share these stories with other kids doing what they love most. Continue to do the amazing things you’re doing.”

Lowery and the Open Goal Project were grateful for this donation. They expressed, “It really means a lot. I really appreciate you guys. This will go a long way toward our mission and further leveling the playing field.”

Helping Hands – Be The Good Project

Community, Uncategorized,

Last year, the Marchand family from Northern Virginia started the Be the Good Project to feed people during the pandemic. In the process, they inspired a caring community, from friends and neighbors to church groups, sports teams, and girls scouts, to donate over 40,000 pounds of food and prepare over 63,000 sandwiches for the homeless.

Recently, they began building little food pantries in underserved communities, with nine already created and five more on the way. Amber Marchand and her family joined ABC 7 News for what they thought was an interview to update others on the Be Good Project, but there was really a surprise in store!

Finally able to return in person, Joel Bassam from Easterns joined in surprising the Marchand family, “We’ve been blown away by what you’ve been able to achieve and the way that you’ve been able to support these communities. We wanted to donate $2000 to you all so you can keep spreading the good and keep feeding these families.” 

Completely shocked by this donation, Amber Marchand was fighting back the tears as she expressed her gratitude. 

Click here for details on how you can support Be the Good Project.

Helping Hands, powered by ABC 7, is always looking to help people or organizations in need worthy of assistance. If you know someone that fits this description, please click here to nominate them.