Category Archives: Community

Get Up Give Back – Families4FamiliesDMV

Community,

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has truly taken a toll on everyone. Families across the DC, Maryland, Virginia have been hit extremely hard due to the increasing unemployment. This has resulted in many needing the bare necessities such as food. The Marshall family created Families4Families as a way to cater to those in need by addressing the critical food emergency that the coronavirus pandemic has caused. James Marshall and his siblings began collecting groceries in their driveway to deliver them to families across the DC metro area. After a few weeks, Families4Families made it to over 12 cities as people were inspired by their model.

The way Families4Families works is that a middle and/or high school students create an F4F Student Club at their school. Every F4F Student Club is paired with a nonprofit partner organization that has been carefully vetted. The duty of the partner organization is to identify the families that have been most impacted by the pandemic. The F4F Student Club collects groceries and essential items that are in demand. Once the items are collected, they are then delivered once a month to the partner organization that distributes the food to the families in need.

To date, F4F has delivered over 125,000 meals across the United States and over 1,000 people have volunteered to help out the cause. An idea that started so small turned out to be major as it received such an incredible response. According to Marshall, they are in the process of setting up a 501c3 so people can donate to their cause.

Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 got wind of Families4FamiliesDMV and wanted to help out their incredible cause. Reese Waters of Get Up DC was able to chat with Marshall via video call during his Get Up Give Back segment. During their conversation, Waters announced that Marshall would be receiving a $1,000 donation from Easterns for the hard work of him and his family. Please visit www.families4familiesdmv.org to learn more and support their efforts.

 

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

 

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/8hoQ2gO83oE

Helping Hands – Greater Morning Star Apostolic Church

Community,

 

It?s been a few months since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States, but the effects have been long-term.? The unemployment rates remain through the roof and many people simply are hungry.? Almost every industry has been impacted and is in need of financial assistance.? The amazing folks at Greater Morning Star Apostolic Church in Alexandria, VA have been going above and beyond to help their community during this tough time.? Despite going through financial hardships, they have decided to help feed others through their Fisher of Men food truck.? The food truck has allowed them to raise money for the church while also feeding their community.? Every Sunday, they feed hundreds of people for free because they know that people are in need during this trying time.

Deacon James Myers is the master chef on the food truck and he truly enjoys being able to support and uplift the community.? He praises Ed Moore for offering to be a part of their community efforts.? Moore is the founder of Veterans Fishing Adventure, a nonprofit organization in Northern Virginia connecting veterans of all abilities and their families with boating and fishing adventures.? Moore saw the way that the church was getting involved in the community and decided to help out.? A few months ago, Moore and his team of volunteers caught catfish and received donations from local restaurants to benefit the Fisher for Men food truck.? To date, Fisher for Men has been able to feed over 5,000 people every Sunday thanks to the generosity of Moore.

Something as simple as pitching in to help can impact the lives of so many in need. ABC 7 and Easterns Automotive Group heard this story and wanted to pitch in on their Helping Hands segment just like Moore did.? Joel Bassam of Easterns was so touched by this story that he wrote a check for $2,000 for the Greater Morning Star Apostolic Church and their Fisher of Men Food Truck.? This story is very personal for Bassam as he and his family have a long history with feeding people in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community.? Deacon Myers was truly at a loss for words and was brought to tears by Bassam?s kind gesture.? Instances like this remind us that helping someone in the smallest way can make the biggest impact.? A small act of kindness can inspire others to do the same.? Ask yourself, when is the last time you?ve been a helping hand?

 

Watch the video to see how everything unfolded.

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

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/ANre-QZMF4o

 

Road to a Better Community – The IIIB’s Foundation

Community,

When people hear the word ?cancer?, many things come to mind. Most have dealt with cancer head-on due to a friend or family member having it. Breast Cancer synonymous with the color pink and is the most common cancer in American women. About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer over the course of a lifetime. It?s extremely important to raise awareness as simply having regular mammograms and being screened can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer through early detection.

Virginia resident, Carolyn Cole-Rodenburg created The IIIB?s Foundation after being an 18-year cancer survivor herself. She turned her pain into her purpose by putting her life into helping women going through the same journey. Cole-Rodenburg knows first-hand how breast cancer can take a toll on one?s body ? mentally, physically, and emotionally. The mission of the IIIB?s Foundation is to provide Bosom Buddy Baskets (gift baskets) to women recovering from mastectomy surgery. No one knows what is needed more than a woman that has already gone through this process herself.

Being a non-profit organization, The IIIB?s Foundation relies solely on donations. However, their biggest annual fundraiser ? The Pink Tie Breast Cancer Charity Ball is at risk due to COVID-19. The incredible folks at WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group heard about this and decided to help. They chose to highlight The IIIB?s Foundation on their Road to a Better Community segment. Joel Bassam of Easterns stepped up to donate $2,250 and also shared his own personal cancer story involving his aunt. This money will be able to give 15 Bosom Buddy Baskets to women currently going through treatment. Each care basket will include essential products for these women to make their journey a little easier. Please visit https://www.keepthecandleglowing.org/ to learn more about this incredible organization and to find ways that you can also support.

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

YouTube ? https://youtu.be/SU9R3hD8Lwo

Get Up Give Back – Black Lives Matter DC

Community,

The past few months have been heavy for the United States as a country.? From COVID-19 to the killings of unarmed African Americans by police brutality, this has been a very scary time, to say the least.? At the end of May following the death of George Floyd, ?Black Lives Matter? protests broke out in just about every city.? Many feel as though African Americans haven?t been treated fairly since the beginning of time.

The Black Lives Matter foundation is a global organization that was founded in 2013 after Trayvon Martin?s murderer (George Zimmerman) was found not guilty.? People all over the world have taken a stand with the movement and decided that they will no longer tolerate injustice of any kind in America.? Easterns Automotive Group made their stance very clear when the protests began to reemerge.? They have always been a supporter of anyone in the community doing their part to make a change.

Easterns Automotive Group has a partnership with WUSA 9?s Get Up DC program with Reese Waters.? The pair created a segment called Get Up Give Back where they help people on the front lines putting in the work.? Reese Waters and Joel Bassam of Easterns thought it would be great to make a donation to Black Lives Matter DC.? The first step was to get Ms. April Goggans on a zoom call as she is the core group organizer for Black Lives Matter DC.? She was able to discuss the ways that they?ve been helping people with their essential needs such as food, diapers, and hygiene products goods throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.? Black Lives Matter DC has made about 5,000 deliveries which is incredible as they rely on donations to function.

The Washington D.C. Chapter of Black Lives Matter has always been great in terms of going above and beyond and serving those in need.? For this reason, Joel Bassam of Easterns decided to surprise Goggans with a check for $2,500 on camera to continue supporting the beautiful people of DC.? Easterns Automotive Group has been around for over 30 years and the hard-working men and women of the DMV have supported in every way.? It?s only right that those in need know that Easterns too is on their side.? There are many ways that one can get involved with the Black Lives Matter movement and it goes beyond just donating.? No action is too big or too small.? Please visit www.blacklivesmatterdmv.org to find out all the various ways that you can be a part of the movement. Tell a friend!

 

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

 

 

YouTube ? https://youtu.be/c28pauyEzdE

Link to the original link ? https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/outreach/get-up-give-back/draft-do-not-publish-easterns-automotive-gives-2500-to-black-lives-matter-dc/65-0b5dedb8-8b01-4981-9a27-83649b77170c

Pay It Forward – Adopt a Graduating High School Senior

Community,

 

In the last Pay It Forward from Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC, they chose to highlight an organization that works with young students.? However, older students were impacted as well by the economic effects of COVID-19 pandemic.? High school seniors in particular who worked hard all four years were robbed of a pivotal point of their life, which is graduation.? Many students across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area were left to celebrate online by having virtual graduations amongst their peers, family, and friends on Zoom.

There is a movement taking the internet by storm called ?Adopt a Senior?.? High school graduates have been sharing their stories via Facebook by posting their academic achievements and ask for donations to kick off their upcoming college costs.? People can then ?adopt? them and meet the needs of their requests.

Easterns Automotive Group has been in the business of giving back for over 30+ years since they first got into the business.? The Bassam?s believe that is extremely important to be generous and help out the community that has embraced and supported them over time.? There were 4 seniors that stood out to the Easterns and Fox 5 DC team ? Mikyle Gregory, Ar?Dinay Blocker, Austin Jones, and Milcah Habteselasie.? All four of them have faced many hardships over the past few months but kept pushing and never gave up.? Allison Seymour of Good Day DC on Fox 5 invited all four of these students to join her and Joel Bassam of Easterns on Zoom call.? The students were able to discuss their success and hardships with the Fox 5 DC audience but were also gifted a surprise courtesy of Bassam.? Bassam surprised these students by letting them know that they had been adopted by Easterns and that each of them would be receiving a $500 Amazon gift card.? Times are tough right now but hopefully, these gift cards can help cover some of their small expenses like decorating their dorm rooms, etc.? Each of these high school seniors has an incredible drive and will be a tremendous success in the future.

 

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/9r4luqgCBSQ

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-adopt-a-senior-program-helps-amid-pandemic

Pay It Forward – Tail Wags and Book Bags

Community,

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it for everyone around the world. Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC have been working to highlight and donate to people in need through their Pay It Forward campaign. Over the past few months, they have given back to essential/frontline workers, hospital staff, and doctors + nurses. However, there is one group that they have yet to highlight which is children. Kids aren?t always the first that come to mind but they too have been severely impacted by coronavirus. They went from attending school every day, playing sports, and seeing their friends to being homebound. Students started to take classes online which is completely different. Adapting to remote learning can be difficult especially for those that may have learning disabilities.

Tailwags and Bookbags is a Washington D.C. based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the educational, emotional, and social well-being of students providing highly trained assistance dogs and handlers to schools. They have a Labrador Retriever facility service dog named Bingo that the students love working with. Prior to COVID-19, Karin Hemphill of Tailwags and Bookbags would take Bingo to classrooms as a support system to students. They?ve since had to make home visits to students with a statewide lockdown in effect and schools closed.

Although Bingo is a great help, the organization is in need of another K9 to help them meet the needs of all the students during this busy summer. Fox 5 DC cameras met Hemphill and Bingo and they were joined by Allison Seymour of Fox 5 DC via satellite. Easterns Automotive Group got word of their incredible work in the community and decided to help out. Hemphill received a surprise visit from Sarah Bassam, wife of Easterns CEO Robert Bassam along with her son Ameen. Mrs. Bassam presented Hemphill with a $7,000 check for Tagwails and Bookbags to help them cover the cost of a new service facility dog. Bingo has visited Ameen?s school before so they have a personal connection to this cause. If you would like to learn more about Tailwags and Bookbags and their wonderful work, please visit www.tailwags.org

 

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/BiaAqK1gJvk

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-assistance-dogs-provide-children-with-emotional-support

 

Helping Hands – Miriam’s Kitchen + Homeless man turned artist

Community,

 

Homelessness is a national crisis but it affects many of our local Washington D.C. residents directly. According to Mission DC, 16.6% of DC residents live in poverty which is two times the national average. This number of course has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One DC resident in particular was able to find a home thanks to Miriam?s Kitchen. Miriam?s Kitchen is an organization that vows to end homelessness in the District. Easterns Automotive Group and ABC 7 DC / WJLA caught wind of their amazing work and decided to highlight them on their new edition of Helping Hands.

Leroy Fenner is an aspiring artist that recently found a home after being homeless for two years. He did this with the help of Cheryl Bell who is the chef a Miriam?s Kitchen. Bell has been working very hard during the pandemic preparing breakfast and dinner to the homeless to ensure that their needs are met. ABC 7 cameras followed Fenner to his new home where he gave Bell a tour and showed off his new artwork.

Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group arrived to give him the surprise of his life. Bassam presented Fenner with a check for $1,000 for his tremendous growth and success. He plans on using this money to further his painting career as he eventually wants to go to art school. But Joel wasn?t finished, he also presented Bell with a $1,000 check for Miriam?s Kitchen to help with their expenses as they are a nonprofit organization. Their demand has increased since coronavirus so this $1,000 donation will be able to cover 1,200 meals.

For the last 30+ years, Easterns has always given back to the community and helped those in need. Their hope is that by sharing Fenner?s story that it inspires people to never give up on their dreams. Where you start is never where you end up. Obstacles will come but you must continue working hard to get to the other side. If you would like to learn more about Miriam?s Kitchen, their services, or how to get involved ? please visit www.miriamskitchen.org

 

Watch the video to see how everything unfolded.

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

Helping Hands – Surprising a Prince George’s County charity

Community,

 

A few weeks ago, ABC 7 ran a story about Mission of Love charities in Prince George?s County, Maryland. The food pantry was established in 1991 and primarily serves homeless individuals. However, things changed recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With unemployment at an all-time high, many people of various industries are struggling to survive and make ends meet. Mission of love has been doing a great job trying to help as many as they can, but It has become tough meeting the demand of people.

Easterns Automotive Group partners with ABC 7 on a segment called Helping Hands where they find people or organizations doing great work in the community. After seeing the work that Mission of Love is doing as a nonprofit organization, the team decided to help out. Alison Starling of ABC 7 joined Joel Bassam of Easterns on a video call to surprise the lovely ladies behind Mission of Love. They got a chance to talk about the charity and express why they are so passionate about the cause. It is very personal for them so of course they hate having to tell people no when there isn?t enough food.

Starling surprised the women of Mission of love virtually by waving a large check for $2,500 from Easterns. The excitement and joy on their faces were priceless because they know that this donation will help feed so many. Beyond providing food, Mission of Love offers utility, rental, and security deposits assistance to homeless and low-income individuals and families. If you would like to learn more, donate, or volunteer at Mission of Love ? please visit www.molcinc.org

 

Watch the video to see how everything unfolded.

 

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

 

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/0oXorD6iINU

 

 

Pay It Forward – Virtual Hugs for Heroes (Providing free meals to 911 Dispatchers)

Community,

 

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC have both been hard at work since COVID-19 hit the DMV region. The pair created a new segment called Virtual Hugs for Heroes under their Pay It Forward umbrella. The purpose of this was to highlight and give back to the frontline employees that still have to work through this pandemic. Coronavirus has certainly impacted everyone in negative ways, but several positives have come out of it too. This has given many a new perspective on things that are important in life and brought the community closer together during such an unknown time.

In celebration of hard-working men and women on the frontlines across the DMV, both Easterns and Fox 5 DC wanted to put a spotlight on a special group of individuals. They chose to recognize 911 dispatchers at the McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center in Fairfax, Virginia. These are the people that we call to talk us through an emergency and send immediate help. With so many people dying and getting ill from coronavirus, many of these dispatchers are working around the clock. Working 12-hour shifts is certainly no easy task especially in the middle of a pandemic.

The Pay It Forward team wanted to show these dispatchers their appreciation for the hard work that they continue to put in. Easterns Automotive Group purchased lunch for the entire dispatch team from Choong Man Chicken in Fairfax, VA. It was important to them every dispatcher receives a hot meal because nutrition is extremely important especially while working those long hours. The wonderful owner of Choong Man Chicken donated 500 PPE bundles to the dispatch team as well. As an organization, the staff at McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center remains dedicated to helping people in need. They are working with Communities of Trust to collect items for families. If you or someone you know would like to help this cause, please visit www.communitiesoftrust.com

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/rPI_zzQd1PI

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/community-comes-together-to-provide-free-meals-for-911-dispatchers

Helping Hands – Surprising a furloughed Salvation Army Worker that continues to volunteer

Community,

 

Easterns Automotive Group and ABC 7 have teamed up once again to offer another helping hand. The pair created this segment as a platform to help those in need and worthy of being recognized in the community. Unfortunately, there are many people seeking help with over 14.7% of Americans unemployed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. There are also many working on the front lines risking their health but one person in particular really stood out.

Anthony Gonzalez has been furloughed for weeks from his job at the Salvation Army in Fairfax County, Virginia but still continues to come in every day to volunteer. He loves his job and helping others so much that he didn?t feel that being furloughed should stop him. Gonzalez is a jack of all trades that hands out food to those in need and even answers the phones when people need assistance.

The reason Easterns and ABC 7 formed ?Helping Hands? is for people like Gonzalez. Technically, he could just stay home but his love for others is what’s keeping him volunteering day in and day out. It is time that he is recognized for his own kindness and generosity. Jonathan Elias and the ABC 7 crew surprised Gonzalez at work with a personal message from Joel Bassam of Easterns. Bassam and the rest of the team at Easterns were so touched that Gonzalez continues to volunteer his time that they surprised him big time. Gonzalez received a $2,000 check donation from Easterns and ABC 7 to help out with his bills during this unprecedented time. Words can not express the level of appreciation he felt.

Watch the video to see how everything unfolded.

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

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