Category Archives: Community

Pay It Forward – Capital Caring Health

Community,

The giving just doesn?t stop in the world of Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC.? The pair recently came together to support a great cause by the amazing folks over at Capital Caring Health.? Capital Caring has been helping patients cope with serious illnesses by offering 24/7 compassionate care.? They also provide art therapy to help children deal with the loss of a parent. Unfortunately, there are children of two families that have recently lost their fathers to sickness.? Capital Caring has vowed to create an outlet for them to cope, heal, and deal with their grief and trauma is extremely important.?

Until recently, art therapist Monica Delaney was packing up and traveling to the children at their home so she can help turn their pain into creativity.? However, the Capital Caring team decided to create a special room that would be for art therapy at their headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.? The idea sounded great but there were no funds to complete this passion project.? This is where Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive stepped up to help out with the room and surprise the children.? Easterns Automotive Group was able to complete the room by purchasing over $7,000 of art supplies, furniture, and books.? Fox 5 DC cameras captured Allison Seymour and Joel Bassam as they showed children the room for the very first time.? They were so excited to know that they have a safe space to show off their artistic skills.? Joel also gifted one of the kids an art set and the $50 dollar e-gift cards for the other two to purchase new games.? Their smiles were priceless!

Special thanks to Jerry and Drew of the Easterns team and the staff at Capital Caring Health for helping transform this room in such a short amount of time!?

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.

Link to original article ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-capital-caring-health-helps-children-cope-with-the-loss-of-a-parent

Road to a Better Community – Remembering The Foxtrappe

Community,

Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 are kicking off 2020 in a major way! They recently partnered up for their first Road to a Better Community segment of the year. A local photographer by the name of Don Baker has captured the history of Washington D.C. and is on a mission to preserve it for future generations. He has had the pleasure of snapping photos of athletes, musicians, and politicians over his 40 years of being a photographer. Baker’s love for photos inspired him to turn his art into a documentary that he is working on called “The Trappe”. It will be a look back at the famous Foxtrappe which was private black night club in Washington D.C residing at 1601 R St. NW. After the 1968 riots in DC, the Foxtrappe became a place where African Americans could go to enjoy themselves and have fun. Members of the Congress had their own room where they could also discuss business. This was the go to spot for many celebrities and elite as well. Baker is determined to showcase the impact that this now famous club had on the city of Washington. He feels that a documentary would be the perfect form of preservation so that the legacy, memories, and stories can continue to be passed down and shared.

“The Trappe” has been 10 years in the making so Baker created a Go Fund Me to help fund this passion project. He was able to raise $7,500 of his $10,000 goal. This was until Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 decided to come together and give Baker the surprise of a lifetime. WUSA 9 cameras captured Joel Bassam presenting Baker with a $3,000 check on behalf of Easterns Automotive Group. With Baker’s goal now complete, he will be able to finish his documentary and share the wonderful history and culture of Washington D.C. with the entire world.

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

Pay It Forward – Project Opportunity

Community,

We hope that the first few days of 2020 are going great for all of you! Before 2019 ended, Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC came together to help teen parents by participating in a local diaper drive. When you are strapped for cash and trying to finish school every little bit helps. Fairfax County Public School system created the Project Opportunity program at Bryant High School in Alexandria, VA for this exact reason. Being able to help the students with diapers takes off stress and allows them to be more focused in school. Many children in the program are very adamant about overcoming adversity and showing their children that they too can overcome anything.
Cory Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group surprised the Project Opportunity partners live on Fox 5 DC with snacks and gift cards but the giving didn?t stop there. Several cases of diapers were donated to the Fox 5 Diaper Drive on behalf of Easterns as well. These will all go to the students and hopefully make their winter months a little bit easier. We encourage you all to give back if possible. Not only does it feel great to do but you have the ability to impact so many people and children in need. If you would like to learn more about the Fox 5 Diaper Drive or find diaper drop off locations, please click here.

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.

Pay It Forward – Project Linus

Community


Happy New Year everyone! 2019 was a great year and the support from you all made it even better.? December was a busy month for Easterns.? However, it was important to share the latest Pay It Forward with Fox 5 DC.? The special non-profit that they decided to help is called Project Linus which was brought to their attention by Sara Gorfinkel.? Project Linus provides homemade blankets to children in need.? Gorfinkel began her affiliation with the brand two years ago when she made blankets with her children to donate.? It was then she realized that there were no local chapters in her area.? The nearest Project Linus was over 30 minutes away.? In that moment she realized that it was her to change that.? Gorfinkel reached out to the national office and let them know that she was interested starting a chapter in Montgomery County, MD.? They connected her with another woman from the area, Carol Lichtenstein.? Together they formed the Montgomery County chapter for Project Linus.? Volunteers began pouring in and it truly made them a force to be reckoned with.

Since they started in 2017, the two have had tremendous success by donating over 3,000 blankets to sick and traumatized children across the region.? Project Linus would not be possible without the volunteer organizations that purchase all the materials needed to make the blankets.? They then provide instructions and blankets to make the templates to volunteers to complete.? The finished blankets get distributed to those in need.? Some of those places include shelters and hospitals in the area.

Gorfinkel and some of her volunteers gave a blanket tutorial on Fox 5 Pay it Forward.? The lovely blankets take about a half hour to make and are great quality.? Joel Bassam surprised them live on air by donating 144 yards of fleece on behalf of Easterns Automotive Group.? This will them make plenty of blankets to kick off 2020.?? If you would like to learn more about Project Linus and how you can either donate or volunteer, please visit www.projectlinus.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.

Easterns joins NBC Sports Washington in surprising coach Chris Samuels of Northwest High School

Community


NBC Sports Washington recently shadowed Chris Samuels who is now the offensive coordinator for the Northwest High School football team.? Many may know Samuels from his time playing in the NFL for the Washington Redskins from 2000-2009.? This is his very first season with Northwest H.S. but his sixth season coaching high school football overall.? He is so excited to work with the talented young men of Montgomery County.? Samuels plans to pass down some of the lessons he learned while in the NFL to inspire and prepare them for what is to come.

The budget for the football program is limited.? However, as a coach, Samuels is going above and beyond to raise money so he can help develop the players into young men.? Joel Bassam, Director of Marketing at Easterns Automotive Group heard about his story and wanted to help out.? Bassam surprised Samuels at Northwest H.S. to present him with a $2,000 donation to help out their program.? Easterns is no stranger to giving back in the community as they have been doing it for over 30 years.? At this point, it?s in their DNA!

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/3LQLC5CDacE

Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlatnic and Easterns fulfill Khiyon’s basketball wish

Community,

Every child has a dream or a wish that they hope to accomplish in life.? Unfortunately, some children lack the necessary tools needed to bring their dreams to life.? Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic is a chapter of the larger Make-A-Wish Foundation that helps grant wishes to children fighting critical illnesses.? The impact left on a child after they receive their wish of time gives them the strength and inspiration needed in order to keep fighting.? Recently, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic partnered with Easterns Automotive Group to provide a child with the dream of a lifetime.? Khiyon is wish participate that suffers from a severe form of epilepsy that results in him having seizures.? His wish was to be a basketball player because he always had a love for the sport.

 

Teamwork makes the dream work because Easterns and Make-A-Wish came together to provide Khiyon with the one in a lifetime opportunity to meet and practice with the Washington Mystics.? The players introduced him as part of the starting line-up; all while attending his very first ever live basketball game.? The Washington Mystics went on to become the WNBA Champions later in the season.?? These are moments that he and his family will cherish forever!

If you would like to learn more about Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic and how you either help or donate, please go to www.midatlantic.wish.org

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/vLcV0YGFHNs

Get Up Give Back – The 25th Project

Community,

The winter months are tough for the homeless of the DC metro area. With low temperatures and lack of shelter, it can be quite difficult for homeless people to enjoy the holiday season. WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up to recognize a wonderful nonprofit that is going above and beyond to help the homeless of the community. The 25th Project was created by Jay Herriott of northern Virginia back in 2002 during Thanksgiving. Both he and his family helped give holiday meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas to homeless people living under bridges in Washington D.C. It was then that he realized that most homeless people aren?t helped during the rest of the year.
They started very small in the beginning by giving away 14 meals. However, The 25th Project has grown so much since then that they give away free meals during the 25th day of each month. This is equivalent to 1,000 meals each year thanks to the help of family, friends, and other organizations that come together to pitch in. If anything, Herroitt?s passion should inspire others to see what they can really accomplish with one small idea. The topic of homelessness truly hits home for him because he was very close to losing his own home at one point.
Reese Waters of WUSA 9?s Get Up DC met with Herroitt at Cookology?s Ballston Quarter location for a wonderful surprise. Waters presented Herroitt with a $1,000 check for The 25th Project courtesy of Easterns Automotive Group. This money will be used to help their tremendous Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meal efforts. Please visit www.the25thproject.org to learn more about their upcoming events and how you too can donate or get involved.

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

Get Up Give Back – Easterns Automotive Group surprises random Thanksgiving shoppers

Community

Happy Holidays to all! Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 recently teamed up for their Get Up Give Back campaign where they participated in random acts of kindness. The day before Thanksgiving, Reese Waters of the Get Up DC crew went with the WUSA 9 camera crew down to Giant Food in Congress Heights which is a residential neighborhood in Southeast Washington D.C. However, he didn?t come empty handed. Waters had $1,000 in cash with him on behalf of proud sponsor Easterns. He waited until customers were almost done checking out approach them and pay for their items.

Small deeds like this truly do go along way especially during this time of year. The joy on themany faces that Waters helped is truly remarkable as you will see in the video. These lucky individuals were able to keep the money they were about to spend. The thought of having a few extra dollars is truly a great feeling during the holidays. People often forget that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a great Thanksgiving. Something as simple as food could mean the world to someone that doesn?t have much of it. If you are able to, please help someone that you see in need. It?s always best to picture yourself in someone else?s shoes and imagine yourself needing assistance. If everyone chipped in and helped even one person, it would result in us living in a better community and ultimately a better world. Be the change you want to see!

Special thanks to Reese Waters for facilitating this and continuously going above and beyond.

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

Pay It Forward – Cherry Blossom Intimates

Community,

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, the topic of breast cancer awareness has become much bigger than the one month it is celebrated. According to The Washington Post, 300,000 women each year are diagnosed with this disease while 40,000 are killed. The overall goal is to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment.
Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group came together as a team to impact women affected directly by this horrible sickness. For their latest Pay It Forward campaign, Allison Seymour of Fox 5?s Good Day DC stopped by Cherry Blossom Intimates in Glenarden, Maryland. They are a breast health facility and intimates boutique that specializes in bra fittings and post-mastectomy fittings. Seymour was able to speak to a few women affected directly with breast cancer and listen to their stories. LaWanda Fountain and Ricki Fairley were both diagnosed the disease and had to undergo a double mastectomy. According to Dr. Regina Hampton, co-owner of Cherry Blossom Intimates, the reason they both chose to go that route is to ensure that the cancer doesn?t return. Both women were cancer free for several years but LaWanda?s cancer recently returned. What?s beautiful about these ladies is their strength and resilience. They did not allow let this disease take control of their life while fighting for great health. The visits they have to Cherry Blossom Intimates are therapeutic for them.
Jasmine Jones, co-owner of Cherry Blossom Intimates came up with the idea to open the store after watching her grandmother suffer from breast cancer. She set out to create a safe space and great environment where women battling cancer can enjoy their shopping experience. Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group surprised the women by sharing his own personal story about breast cancer. His aunt just finished her last round of radiation and is in remission now so this subject hit very close to home. To support their shop, Bassam presented Jones with a blank check for $1,000 to cover additional costs of any future customer not covered by insurance. He also gifted LaWanda and Ricki each a $500 gift card to their local spa for a day of pampering. What a wonderful treat for the holiday season!

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.

Link to original article ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-cherry-blossom-intimates-helping-women-with-cancer

Caregiver mother of US Army Soldier gets the surprise of a lifetime from Easterns Automotive Group and Dwayne Haskins

Community

Meet US Army Soldier Saul Ramirez

There?s nothing better than a good ol? surprise, especially during this time of the year. Saul Ramirez is a soldier in the US Army that was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He was stationed in New York earlier this year when this all happened and life changed for him pretty quickly. However, he discovered very early that he had a tremendous support system. His mother, Matilde Ramirez, moved from her home in California to accompany her son as he entered treatment at Walter Reed Bethesda Military Medical Center in Maryland. This year has been tough for both of them. Matilde literally left her entire life behind to become a caregiver to her son. She shared their story with the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore who decided to pass her story on the Washington Redskins.

Redskins and Easterns Automotive Gives Back to Family

The Redskins were eager to do something nice for this family as soon as they heard their story. They invited both Matilde and Saul to Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia. Dwayne Haskins of the Redskins was there to greet both of them and give them a personal tour of the entire training facility. Haskins even autographed jerseys and cleats for them as souvenirs. By the looks on their faces, this opportunity meant the world to them. The surprise of a lifetime came towards the end of the visit when Haskins presented Matilde with a $10,000 check from Easterns Automotive Group. As a company that always gives back, Easterns was truly touched by the great lengths that Matilde went in order to be there for her son during such a difficult time. Selfless acts like this deserve to be rewarded. Helping others is very important because you never know when you too may need a helping hand. In life, there is always someone that is going through a tougher obstacle than you. We hope that these stories inspire you and make you appreciate your health and the simple things that life has to offer.
Easterns Automotive Group would like to thank the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore, Dwayne Haskins, Washington Redskins, and Redskins Salute for connecting all parties and coming together to share such an incredible philanthropic moment.