Category Archives: Community

Pay It Forward |Young Women find a 2nd chance at life through HER Resiliency Center

Community,

Pay It Forward partners Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC partnered up once again to give back in the community. The non-profit organization that they chose to help is called HER Resiliency Center in Washington D.C. The overall mission for this center is to help local women find a second chance at life. Many of the members of HER have faced various struggles throughout their lives including living in shelters, non-stable families, and even homelessness. These are obstacles that no one should have to handle alone.

Natasha Guynes created HER Resiliency Center because she herself has faced life obstacles including being in the commercial sex industry, frequent drinking, drugs/homelessness. Guynes was able to overcome her difficult time with the help of DC?s social service agencies. The community of women there were able to help her get on her feet and make positive changes in her life. Once she got on her feet, she knew that there were other women in the same situation that she wanted to help. Guynes is now the CEO of her own non-profit organization that really does make a difference in people?s lives. The young women in the HER Resiliency Center program are assigned mentors to assist them with finding jobs and housing.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group (Eastern Motors) heard about the great things Guynes was doing with HER Resiliency Center and wanted to Pay It Forward. They teamed by by donating $2,000 and an SUV filled the supplies that were needed for the program. This will definitely go a long way.

For more about HER Resiliency Center, 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.


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Easterns donates to Seasoned Settlers, a D.C.-based nonprofit organization

Community, Easterns Automotive

Seasoned Settlers is a D.C.-based nonprofit organization that was created by Sweetz LaBamba. The organization provides entertainment and specialty entertainment for the youth as well as senior citizens. Whether it is range of motion, minute meditation, or reinforcing their therapeutic aspects, LaBamba knows the importance of helping others in the community. The live entertainment events hosted by Seasoned Settlers bring smiles to many faces all different ages and cultural backgrounds. The events are able to able to teach and inform as well as bring everyone attending together through music ? the universal language. Seasoned Settlers hosts events at a variety of locations including schools, churches, universities, and various facilities. Through the organization, LaBamba has been able to open doors and provide unique volunteer opportunities for individuals looking to give back and make a difference in the community. However, in order to keep this great organization LaBamba needs donations from other members of the community. The donations would help Seasoned Setters get the supplies they need in order to continue providing entertainment.

Easterns Automotive Group heard about the great things that LaBamba is doing with Seasoned Setters and wanted to help out. LaBamba was in need additional supplies for her volunteers to fully execute the live events and provide exceptional quality. Easterns donated a Fender portable PA system, an HP laptop, and a Canon camera bundle. LaBamba, her incredible team, and students were so grateful for the items received that they decided to make Easterns a thank you video. Take a look below!

Click here to find out more about Seasoned Settlers and their mission.

Pay It Forward |DC Seniors in need receive help from non-profit, Embracing Our Pearls of Wisdom.

Community,

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC recently came together to highlight a local woman who is helping to pay it forward to seniors of Washington D.C. Norma Hardie is the founder of a non-profit organization called Embracing Our Pearls of Wisdom. Hardie?s purpose for creating this non-profit was to help seniors in the District and surrounding areas with assistance or small things that they need. One great thing is that Hardie has loyal volunteers to help the seniors cook meals, run errors, and even clean. Older people need help sometimes and don?t always have the luxury of having a family member or friend to assist them.
It?s very important to recognize the needs of the elderly because they are the ones who raised the youth. A woman by the name of Arthalia Pumphrey receives excellent care from the volunteers that help her clean and keep her home in good shape. She suffers from really bad arthritis so it is difficult to walk at times. The volunteers believe in being patient with the seniors and take pride in showing them that they will forever be loved. We definitely could use more people like Hardie and her incredible volunteers in this world.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group caught wind of Hardie and what she has been doing with her volunteers at Our Pearls of Wisdom and wanted to pitch in and help. The Pay It Forward partners donated a $1,000 check, gifts for the seniors, and even gas cards to help with the volunteers travel.

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 how everything unfolded.

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Pay It Forward: KIND, Inc

Community,

Today was a very special day for both Eastnerns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC alike. The two Pay It Forward partners teamed up to highlight and give back to an amazing non-profit organization doing amazing work in the Maryland community. Unfortunately, every child does not have the luxury of just going in the fridge and grabbing something to eat. Many kids are not as fortunate depending on their parents? financial situation and sometimes even other reasons. A group of dedicated volunteers came up with the idea to help feed the children in Montgomery County, Maryland that do not have enough to eat.

Katheen Sierra moved to Montgomery County from Prince George?s County close to two years ago. Since the move, her family has been struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of living increase. Luckily, the Sierras do receive free lunch at Highland Elementary School like many other families. The problem comes into play when these children are not in school because many of them are in homes with little to no food. However, the local volunteers from the Kids in Need Distributors (KIND) non-profit set out to change that. Jeremy Lichtenstein is a Montgomery County native that started KIND after hearing stories of children sometimes going an entire weekend without food. Both he and his volunteers thought this was unacceptable so every six weeks a group of volunteers go shopping at Costco and deliver food to 25 different schools. The food is packaged and put into students? backpacks on Friday afternoons so they are able to eat during the weekends. Last year, KIND gave over 250,000 meals to 1,700 kids last year.

Although KIND is always seeking new volunteers, Lichtenstein said the biggest thing that they need right now is money to continue buying the food. Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group joined forces on Good Day DC to pay it forward to the volunteers of KIND for their dedication by feeding them, getting custom t-shirts made, and gifting them with gas cards to help out with travel expenses. Easterns also donated $1,000 to help KIND continue purchasing the food needed for the program.

For more information on how to help Kids In Need Distributors (KIND), 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.

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Pay It Forward | Giving Back to Children?s Constitution Competition Club in NE DC

Community

Pay It Forward partners Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC came together in the beginning of February to help out and highlight a great cause an a person that is doing great things in the community. They decided to Pay It Forward to Erica Sansing who is in charge of the ?We The People? competition club for children at NE D.C?s Kelly Miller Middle School. The purpose of this club is around for schools around Washington D.C. to come together and discuss, and make arguments both for and against the supreme law of the United States. Students are encouraged to participate during their lunch period to prepare for the upcoming competition but are not required. Sansing selflessly gives up her personal lunch time to offer her expertise and spend this time with the children to discuss worldly issues. It?s a great chance for the children to get hands on experience and know what it is like to debate, argue their points, and listen to one another.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Motors (Easterns Automotive Group) wanted to celebrate Sansing for her hard work. They presented her with a gift card to a spa for her to have some personal time and relax. The two Pay It Forward partners also rewarded her with a subscription to a snack delivery service. She was thrilled to receive this especially with her working during lunchtime. Joel Bassam of Easterns thought it was only right to also recognize the students of the cub as well. Each student was awarded a $200 gift card so they can look their best during the competition. The competition was just held on Februrary 13th at the Hill Center in SE, Washington, DC.

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 how everything unfolded.



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Tips for Driving in Winter Weather

Community, Easterns Automotive

** Avoid during treacherous winter storms if possible but if you must travel, proceed with caution.

  • Make sure your car is serviced and ready to go. The best thing to do is make sure your vehicle is in the best possible condition to drive. It is extremely important to check everything under the hood like your battery as well as breaks and tires.
  • Know Your Vehicle. Practice makes perfect. Be sure to spend time with your vehicle ? learn where your hazard lights are in case of an emergency. Get familiar with not only the safety features and breaking system but also how it will handle in various weather conditions. It?s very important to know how vehicle car will respond to bad weather because you are in full control as the driver. The best thing to do is practice is an empty parking lot so you will be ready for the highway.
  • Clean Up. Please be sure to clean off all snow or ice that is on your car. Do not drive your car without cleaning it properly because the debris left on your car can fly off and damage another car or an innocent pedestrian. As a driver, it?s also important to have clear windows and mirrors to see out of.
  • Be Prepared. Make sure your vehicle has the essential items in case of an emergency. It?s very important to always prepare for the worst so you are never left without anything that you need. Be sure your vehicle has an Emergency Winter Driving kit with the following items:
    • Ice Scraper
    • Snow Shovel
    • Jumper Cables
    • Flashlight
    • Flares
    • Blankets
    • First Aid Kit
    • Clothes
    • Cell Phone Charger
    • Bottled Water
    • Snacks
    • Medication (If Needed)
  • Plan Ahead. Know your destination and leave early to allow extra travel time. Winter weather often causes unforeseen delays and traffic. Using a GPS is the best way to provide you with the best route to take and provide information about tolls, accidents, and rest stops along the way.
  • Stay Alert. Drive slowly during bad weather conditions because it is much more difficult to control a fast moving vehicle when the roads are slick. Slowing down your speed can definitely reduce the odds of rear ending someone because you will have plenty of time to stop, if necessary. Do not use cruise control during winter weather because it can cause your vehicle to accelerate when it doesn?t need to. This can lead to serious accidents.
  • Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones. Always wear your seat beat and ensure that everyone else in your vehicle is doing the same. Make sure all children are positioned correctly in properly in booster and car seats that are properly installed. Children should be dressed warm and should never be left unattended in vehicle during any circumstance. Use the child lock to prevent a child from accidentally escaping the vehicle.
  • Be Smart. Do not text or operate a cell phone while driving a vehicle. Pay attention and obey all signs and speed limits. Watch out for other drivers that may be driving recklessly. Driving requires immense skill and judgment so it is imperative to drive sober without the use of drugs or alcohol. The life you save may be your own.

Throwback Thursday Clip of the Week: Josh Norman for Easterns

Community, Throwback Thursday, Washington Football Team, ,

It?s that time of the week! We are back with another Throwback Thursday Clip of the Week presented by Easterns Automotive Group. This week, we have chosen to highlight none other than the cornerback for the Washington Redskins, Josh Norman. Easterns recruited Norman for commercials shortly after he signed his $75 million dollar deal with the Redskins. A deal that made him the highest paid cornerback in NFL history at the time. In this clip, Norman discusses the importance of believing yourself and working hard to overcome any fear or doubt. This is something that anyone can relate to despite their gender, race, or financial status. Norman?s teammates Kirk Cousins and Ryan Kerrigan also shot commercials both individually and together during this time. These three together make up what is known as the Easterns All Star Team.

Norman was a great addition to the Easterns family because of core values and what he represents both on and off the field. He understands the importance of hard work, dedication and being a part of the community. His reliability caused the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community to receive him with open arms. Easterns sells cars to the hard working men and women in the DMV area.

Pay It Forward | Seeing i2i

Community, Easterns Automotive

When it comes to Americans, there isn?t much that separates those old and young besides their age. The age gap actually allows for different conversations and various perspectives to be shared. This is exactly what Anjali Patel from Manassas, Virginia set out to teach her own kids as well as other local children. Patel created a non-profit organization by the name of Seeing i2i that pairs young students with a group of seniors to converse, engage, and eventually be friends. This is all done with the help of technology. Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up to Pay It Forward to Patel and her incredible organization.

The idea to create the non-profit stemmed from Patel?s children enjoying the time that they spent with their grandparents. She knew then that their was something special about that bond that was appreciated by both parties. Patel took it upon herself to create a website to test out on her neighborhood. The kids that participated enjoyed talking to their elders and wanted to do it more. With the help of technology, kids who currently participate are able to Skype residents at the Holiday Retirement Manassas Senior Living at the Fairmont. The seniors have adapted to using Skype and actually enjoy it. They get to engage with people of different backgrounds and talk about all aspects of life and have fun during the process. All it really takes is a few minutes to make a person?s day.

Eaterns and Fox 5 DC came together to Pay It Forward to Patel and Seeing i2i by gifting them Amazon Fire tablets so that they will be able to continue communicating with the seniors via Skype. They also donated gift cards to help plan an upcoming party that can bring the two age groups together.

Easterns Automotive Group has partnered with FOX 5 DC to help honor people in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community who go above and beyond the call. If you know someone worthy if being recognized, Click Here to nominate them.

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Pay It Forward | Suprising Price George?s County Seniors

Community, Events

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC set out to start 2018 with a bang! The two Pay It Forward partners recently came together to do some good in the community. They did so by surprising a group of seniors in Prince George?s County, Maryland. These seniors dedicate their time and energy by consistently coming to waterworks Zumba class at Sport Fit in Bowie, Maryland. It?s great to see that they are staying active and encouraged, despite their age. Clearly, the exercise along with having so much fun is what is keeping them young. The class is taught twice a week by Jewell Webb. She makes a conscience effort to keep the group motivated and encourages everyone to be positive. Webb has a unique prospective because she knows what is going on in all of her student?s lives. She sees various students going through the obstacles and challenges of life but still finding the time to give back and help others. Webb said that even she is inspired by her student?s selfless commitment to the community and their families.

Mouths dropped when Allison Seymour of Fox 5 DC walked in to the waterworks Zumba class with camera crews present alongside Joel Bassam, Director of Marketing for Easterns Automotive Group. The two teamed up to pay the January fees for all of the members so that they continue to stay motivated and strive to reach for their 2018 health and fitness goals. Everyone was thrilled and very appreciative of the generous deed.

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.

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Pay It Forward | Surprising a Virginia family in need

Community

The holidays are a time of giving and helping those in need. Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC felt compelled to do just that with this family featured in this edition of Pay It Forward. The team got wind of Olivia Parkman, a Virginia mother of four, regarding a car accident that the family was involved in last year. The accident occurred on June 11th, 2016 in Alabama and resulted in the Parkmans losing their daughter in the crash. It has been over a year since her death, but of course the family is still struggling to heal. To make matters worse, the family has not had a car due to their previous vehicle being totaled in the crash. The money that they received from the insurance company was not nearly enough to get another car.

As a mother, Olivia is doing the best she can to stay strong for her 3 remaining children and provide the best possible life she can for them. Her sons have been receiving grief counseling through Capital Caring in Northern Virginia. Olivia would love to attend counseling as well but does not have the proper transportation to get there. The good folks at Capital Caring reached out to folks in the community to share her story and see if there was any way that people could help. Easterns Automotive Group received word about the Parkmans through Extreme Custom Collisions in Woodbridge, Virginia. Once they heard the story, they decided that they were going to do something special to make Christmas special for the Parkmans and help end their year on a great note. They donated a Honda Accord to the family to get back on their feet and provide the transportation that they need as a family.

When watching the video, you will see raw emotions because no one had any idea what was happening until it happened. Even Fox 5 DC?s Allison Seymour was both emotional and in shock because this was just truly a touching story. However, the surprise didn?t end there. Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group also presented the boys with an official Washington Redskins football. The ball contained the signatures of Kirk Cousins, Josh Norman, and Ryan Kerrigan. He also gave them a basketball signed by the Washington Wizards own Bradley Beal. To top it all off, Joel gifted the entire family with tickets to both a Washington Redskins and a Washington Wizards game.

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 Story