Category Archives: Community

Pay It Forward | Jamahri Sydnor (Memorial Fund)

Biography, Community

Eastern Motors and Fox 5 DC recently came together for a very special edition of Pay it Forward. The purpose of this paying it forward to this specific cause was to celebrate a young woman?s personal achievements and contributions to the community as her mother fights to keep her legacy alive. Jamahri Syndor was a very bright student that was preparing for college. She was loved not only by friends and family but also local members of the community. Many would agree with saying that Syndor was truly a special girl. She had just graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School where she was a cheer caption and member of the choir. As of that wasn?t enough, Syndor also found the time to have part-time job, volunteer with kids, and dance in a troupe.

August 10th, 2017 was the day that changed everything. This was the day that Syndor was shot by a stray bullet while driving through northeast D.C. This happened just days before she was scheduled to leave to attend college at Florida A&M University. Syndor passed away two days later and is survived by her mother, Queen Wallace, whom is a veteran police sergeant in the district. This has been quite devastation to the family but they are looking for a memorable way to ?Pay It Forward? through the form of a foundation, scholarship, or dance program.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group received word about what happened to Sydnor and the legacy that she wanted to leave behind so they made a very special donation in her honor. The owner of artist of AA and Beek, Victor Barranco, created a very special memorial to honor Sydnor?s work with the children at Chevy Chase Community Center in northeast D.C. Francesca Scott, who is a program coordinator at the Chevy Chase Community Center accepted the art piece. Scott was able to speak candidly and provide insight as to just how much work Syndor and her sister did the kids. The two had planned and hosted the Valentine?s Day tea party every year for the kids. This story touched the Pay it Forward team so Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group donated a total of $1,500 to the Chevy Chase Community Center to help out with the tea party and other holiday activities. Easterns also donated another $1,500 to the mother of Sydnor to officially kick-start the Jamahri Sydnor Memorial Fund. The overall goal of the fund will be to create a scholarship in Sydnor?s name to help heading to college in the D.C. metro area.

If you know someone in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area that goes above and beyond the call and worthy of being recognized, CLICK HERE to nominate them.

 

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Pay It Forward | So What Else

Community,

It?s about that time again for another Pay It Forward segment brought to you by Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC. This segment highlights a very special nonprofit organization in the DC area. So What Else was created by Bob Schless and Dave Silbert. The two had a goal in mind and that was to provide after school and summer programs for underprivileged children. Together, they turned their dream into a reality and to date So What Else provides more than 40 hours of after school programs across the DMV area. It takes 1,000 volunteers to provide help for the 60 projects under the So What Else umbrella. Silbert and Schless are firm believers that it is very important to instill the important of giving back into the children at a young age so they will be inspired to pay it forward and help others.
One of the remarkable aspects of So What Helps is that they take a very different approach in terms of programming. The kids are involved in various different projects involving technology and innovation as well as providing a holistic approach. Some of the most recent projects included children building a park bench out of recyclables, collecting trash at a park, and creating art for sick children in the hospital.

The programs offered by So What Else are completely free for the children that attend. This is one of the reasons why Schless and Silbert want to make sure that the most deserving children are able to participate. Easterns and Fox 5 DC heard their story and the powerful things that they are doing in the community. The two Pay It Forward partners decided to present So What Else with a check for $1,500, yoga mats, snacks, and $200 extra dollars for a Christmas pizza party. The money from the check will help up to five children attend their camp. We must commend So What Else for the amazing work they are doing in the community.

Learn more about So What Else and their mission
Click Here
 

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6 Seconds with Josh Norman

Community, Washington Football Team

Josh Norman of the Washington Redskins recently came to the Eastern Motors headquarters in Sterling, Virginia to film a series of commercial spots. He really believes in the Easterns brand and is very excited to have another family that extends beyond the Redskins organization. Of course, Norman didn?t come alone. He came with two of his teammates, Ryan Kerrigan and Kirk Cousins. The three of them collectively make up what is known as the Easterns All Star Team. Whenever Easterns can manage to get these guys together off the field, you can be sure there will be nothing but laughter and good times. They each shot their own individual commercials that will be posted in the next few weeks but we first wanted to share Norman?s 6 Seconds. This is just a brief introduction and a small preview of many come. Stay tuned for more!

Please visit www.easterns.com to find out why Easterns is the #1 car dealership choice for residents in the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia).

Eastern Motors Commercial w/ Ray Lewis (Rips Tire Off A Vehicle)

Community, Throwback Thursday,

It?s time for another Throwback Thursday Clip of the Week. In this week?s commercial, we have Baltimore?s very own Ray Lewis aka Inspector 52. Lewis played for the Baltimore Ravens as a linebacker for 17 years. He wasn?t born in Baltimore but the city still claims him as their own since he has done so much for football as well as the community. Easterns also has strong ties in Baltimore having a location in Rosedale, Maryland which is just outside of the city. It only made sense to bring Lewis on board and show the people of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community that two strong forces can come together and create magic. Lewis starred in a series of commercials including this one being referred to as ?Inspector 52?. The reason for this is because in each clip he is inspecting a certain part of a vehicle to show the vigorous inspection that vehicles from Easterns go through before they even make it to the lot.

Richard gives Ryan Kerrigan a tour of his green machine

Community, Washington Football Team

It?s been a little while since our last Redskins Rides blog post. We hope that you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday with your family, friends, and loved ones. We couldn?t leave you guys hanging for long! Easterns Automotive Group has teamed up with the Washington Redskins once again for another edition of Redskins Rides. Ryan Kerrigan met with Richard at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia to get an up-close and personal look at his unique whip. Richard is the proud owner of a lime green 1936 Chevy Coach. This coach is different from a sedan in that it is a two-door and that it is much more compact in size. Richard purchased this beauty about five months ago in Nashville, Tennessee. The unusual color caught his attention and ultimately led him to make the purchase. It has a brand new 350 fuel injection under the hood as well as a pristine cream interior. It?s clear that he has a great eye for cars because this was definitely an awesome classic car purchase. We want to thank Richard for taking the time to show off his custom Redskins Rides. Stay tuned for more Redskins Rides in DC, Maryland, and Virginia community. Easterns and the Washington Redskins got you covered!

Pay It Forward ? Thanksgiving Surprise

Community

We have to start out by saying we hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones. Easterns and Fox 5 DC decided to partner up specifically for the holidays and do something special on the day before Thanksgiving. This is the time when most people are in the stores picking up last minute items and the essential ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner. Holly Morris and Wisdom Martin of Fox 5 DC, traveled to various local shopping centers to surprise a few customers with $200 American Express gift cards provided by Easterns Automotive Group. The two really thought it was imperative to give back directly to the community but in a way that was truly a surprise. Morris and Martin selected one random person from each grocery store that they went to which was four people in total. It was so great capturing the genuine reactions of the winners that were selected. They were all shocked, thrilled, and full of joy that someone thought to do something so nice for them around the holidays. The winners range in race, sex, and age because it was important to reach everyone. The goal was just to make Thanksgiving a little more special.

The holiday season is even more magical when you give back and help put a smile on the faces of others. Please do your part to help anyone that you see in need. Helping does not just mean just giving monetarily but it can also be just providing someone with conversation or a few minutes of your time. Some people just need a small boost to motivate them and give them the strength they need to get back on their feet and conquer their goals. Do your part; you too can Pay It Forward!

This was a random act of kindness. However, 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 of being recognized, Click here to nominate them.

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Pay It Forward: Chess Girls D.C.

Community

The holidays are near! Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC decided to come together to Pay It Forward once more before Thanksgiving. The act of giving back is imperative but it is even more important during the holidays. We want to encourage everyone out there to help someone in need, however they can. For this Pay It Forward segment, Eastern Motors and Fox 5 DC selected to help a non-profit organization by the name of Chess Girls D.C. Robin Ramson created this organization so that young girls would have the opportunity to learn how to play chess in Washington D.C. She was inspired by her very own daughter who grew up loving the game of chess. Although many think that chess is just a game, there are many skills learned by playing the game. According to Ramson, many of the young girls are better are critical thinking and being aware of their choices. It?s clear that this group of girls will be very forward thinkers by learning these cognitive skills at such a young age.

Easterns Automotive Group teamed up with the help of Fox 5 DC decided to Pay It Forward to this amazing group. Joel Bassam, Director of Marketing at Easterns and Allison Seymour of Fox 5 DC presented Ramson with a bulk amount of supplies for the young girls from their wish list. They also presented Chess Girls D.C. with a check so they can continue meeting as a group at Emery Recreation Center.

Being that Chess Girls D.C. is a non-profit organization, Ramson relies on grants and donations to keep the program running because it is free for girls to join. If you would like to donate, please click here. Every little bit helps! Also, click here to nominate anyone that you feel is worthy of being recognized for their work in the community.

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Pay It Forward: Project Giveback to feed 500 families for Thanksgiving

Community

The holidays are a time of celebrating and gathering with family and friends for a good times and of course good food. However, not everyone is able to have the same holiday experience because it really depends on a person?s financial situation even to make even the basic things happen. Easterns and Fox 5 DC are always looking for ways to ?Pay It Forward? in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community. They got wind of what a woman by the name of Kia Davis was doing and just had to help out such an amazing cause. Davis is at the forefront of an amazing nonprofit organization in Virginia called Project Giveback. Project Giveback is actively working to raise awareness and funds to provide Thanksgiving food boxes to less fortunate and low-income families. The goal for this year has been set and that is to feed 500 families.

Project Giveback works with local schools, churches, and he Fairfax County Department of family services to help those in need. Donations are always welcome as well that is only half the battle. We understand that not everyone is able to give in a monetary way but time itself is also welcome. Volunteers are always needed to help put the food boxes together and to deliver them to the families in need. If there is anyone that would like to donate or find ways to volunteer and be a part of this awesome giveback movement, please click here.

Easterns and Fox 5 DC teamed up to provide a $3,750 check to Davis and Project Giveback to purchase food to feed the families in need. The goal is to ensure that everyone has a happy, healthy, and amazing Thanksgiving.

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: Easterns and Fox 5 DC team up to help The Two Percent Project

Community

Pay It Forward is a segment that Easterns and Fox 5 DC came up with as a platform to give back and help those in need located in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community. For this edition of Pay It Forward, the two selected a nonprofit organization by the name of The Two Percent Project. This organization provides resources, counseling, and education to both teens and young adults facing crisis pregnancies. The founder, Autumn Williams, is a firm believer in empowering young mothers and fathers to have hope, faith, and still prosper in life despite the choices they have made or obstacles that may come their way. Williams feels so passionately about this cause because she too had children at a young age but that did not stop her from going to college and following her dreams. “When you have a purpose it definitely makes a difference in your overall life and I definitely wanted to show my kids that your mistakes don’t define you, how you handle them does,” Williams said.

The Two Percent Project is made up of volunteers that help Williams keep the nonprofit up and running. However, the expenses of running a nonprofit can be very overwhelming especially because Autumn is the one footing the bill for everything herself on top of having to provide for herself and her family. The Two Percent Project is currently accepting donations such as diapers, baby wipes, baby clothes, strollers, and car seats. The organization will be holding a consignment sale on October 21st (10am-2pm) at Freedom High School in Woodbridge, Virginia.

The Director of Marketing at Easterns Automotive Group, Joel Bassam, donated are large supply of baby products on behalf of Easterns as well as a check to over The Two Percent Project?s rent for the next three months. This will be able to help Williams have more money to plan field trips, workshops, and parties for the young teens in the organization. If you are unable to attend to consignment sale, please click here to help and donate any way that you possibly can. A little goes a long way!

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: Easterns and Fox 5 lend a helping hand to For the Love of Others

Community

Pay It Forward is a segment that Easterns and Fox 5 DC came up with as a platform to give back and help those in need in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community. For this edition of Pay It Froward, the two selected Lauren Puryear who runs her very own nonprofit organization called For the Love of Others. She has a huge heart and has made it a priority of hers to give back and always do what can for those in need. Her reasoning for starting the nonprofit was due to the large amount of homeless people in Virginia that needed meals.

Puryear is not just your average 29 year old. She set out with a goal to serve 30,000 meals to the homeless by her 30th birthday party. Some might think this is farfetched but Puryear had a plan. She put her extreme couponing skills to the test to cut costs in the grocery store. It paid off because with just $2,000 she was able to feed double the amount of people that she had anticipated. Puryear?s birthday is only a few weeks away and she has already fed over 60,000 mouths in the DMV community.

When this story got to Easterns and Fox 5 DC, they thought it would only be right to honor Puryear for her humanitarian and philanthropic efforts and provide her with a platform to share her story. Joel Bassam, the Director of Marketing for Easterns Automotive group, donated nonperishable groceries as well as a check to purchase more groceries on behalf of Easterns. This will be able to help Puryear feed plenty more of the homeless individuals in our community. If you would like to find out more about Puryear and her organization to see how you can help ? please visit http://fortheloveofothers.net/

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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