Summer is officially over and school is back in session.? However, the effects of COVID-19 have been endless.? Students across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia have started virtual learning but not everyone has internet access.? A Fairfax, Virginia non-profit organization called Britepaths is dedicated to stabilizing low-income working families and providing support for children.? In Fairfax County alone, there are 13,000 households without internet access.? There are many factors that contribute to this in addition to the fact that the United States is in a global pandemic.? Millions of people are without jobs and the economy as we know it before coronavirus has completely changed.? Families have also had to shift their finances to accommodate teleworking and feeding their children throughout the day when they normally are at school.? Support from the community would be a huge help to help this number go down.

There is a huge digital divide that affects students in this area greatly.? Without the internet and proper resources, students are unable to learn remotely or complete their homework assignments.? Organizations like Britepaths are needed as the understand the problem and how it drastically affects this generation.? WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group made the choice to highlight them for their Road to a Better Community segment.? They were able to chat with Lisa Whetzel, Executive Director of Britepaths to find out about their current initiatives and ways in which the community can help and get involved.

Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined both Ellen Bryan of WUSA 9?s Great Day Washington and Liza Whetzel of Britepaths to discuss the digital divide and the impact that it is having on students.? Bassam committed to donating $2,000 on behalf of Easterns to four local families with children to have 6 months of free internet access.? The fact that these families will not have to worry about paying for internet access for these upcoming months is truly remarkable. If you would like to donate to the Britepaths Back to School program or learn more about the services that they provide, please visit: www.britepaths.org

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 Link – https://youtu.be/RopceUDgswQ

Role models are extremely important to have in communities to encourage and guide the youth.? For Montgomery Village, Coach Joseph Hooks is just that.? Coach Hooks is the coach for the Montgomery Village Chiefs football team.? COVID-19 has put a huge damper on their typical summer football drills.? However, Coach Hooks is doing his part to ensure that his players stay in shape even as well giving back to their community.

Coach Hooks has a personal connection with Montgomery County, Maryland because he grew up in the community himself and was a student of Montgomery Village Middle School.? He is a guy that knows firsthand of the struggle that some face in the area and wants to lead by example now that he is in a position to help.? Times are very tough for people with the unemployment rates at all-time high and the state of the country not improving financially.? Coach Hooks gathers his team up to give away groceries to hundreds of struggling families in the community after their outdoor practice.? The line stretches for blocks but it is understandable considering the unprecedented times we are in and people being in desperate need of basic necessities.

Coach Hooks has been working with corporations, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations for over a month now to have a supply of food that can be distributed to the families that need it the most.? Easterns Automotive Group and ABC 7 WJLA heard about Coach Hooks and his tremendous community efforts and wanted to be apart of it.? They were able to highlight Coach Hooks on their Helping Hands segment and provide him with a special donation.? Joel Bassam surprised Coach Hooks in person with a $1,500 donation to contribute to his great cause.? This will allow him and his team to provide groceries for many more families in the DMV.

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/9cDB1LXJKW0

The never-ending COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in more ways than we can imagine.? It has made simple tasks like running to the store very risky.? Although many have the ability to just throw on a mask and gloves, it is not that easy for some.? Two high school teens from Virginia saw this as a call to action. Akshath Mahajan of Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn, VA, and Maneesh Vallurupalli of John Champe High School in Aldie, VA teamed up to form Project Support Initiative ? a nonprofit organization that deploys volunteers to go grocery shopping and pick up essentials for people who are elderly and immunocompromised.

There is nothing like seeing two young people doing their part to help out their community during a tough time.? Mahajan came up with the idea to start the Public Support Initiative after speaking with an elderly mentor whose wife survived cancer.? He was scared of grocery shopping because he didn?t want to bring the COVID-19 virus back to his wife.? It was at that moment that Mahajan volunteered to go shopping for him so his mentor wouldn?t have to put himself or his wife at risk.

Public Support Initiative started very small with just Mahajan and Vallurupalli shopping in their local Northern Virginia community.? They had no clue that it would have such an impact not just locally but globally as well.? To date, Public Support Initiative has 220 dedicated volunteers, 22 national chapters, and has served over 1,300 seniors and people across their globe.? They have also reached over $100,000 worth of groceries delivered.? A small no-contact grocery delivery service that started in Loudoun County has inspired other teens and young people to get involved and put their own health at risk to help those in need. However, there is one thing that they are in need of and that is safety essentials.? Public Support Initiative does not ask for cash donations but having the proper PPE would help them and their volunteers to sanitize properly and disinfect the grocery items.

WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group team up for a monthly segment where they find people or organizations to highlight that doing tremendous work in the community.? Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group surprised Mahajan and Vallurupalli on a video call to express his appreciation and gratitude for the way they have come together to form Public Support Initiative.? Bassam donated 1,000 units of PPE on behalf of Easterns for all of their current volunteers and any new ones that decide to come on board.? If you would like to learn more about Public Support Initiative and how you can be a part of their movement, please visit https://sites.google.com/view/projectsup/home

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 Link ? https://youtu.be/dy_Hm8Z67lE

Many times, people ask if good people still exist.? The answer is yes because Karen Shilling of Montgomery County, Maryland is one of them.? Shilling is a retired teacher that has spent years working at Thomas Edison High School in Silver Spring, Maryland with the academic and career program for adult ESOL students.? However, it seems like her retirement ignited a new flame in her as she continues to give with a broken arm during this global COVID-19 pandemic.

When schools shut down early this year, Shilling took matters into her own hands.? She made the decision to turn her garage into a food pantry with the help of her small team of family, neighbors, and fellow teachers.? Shilling knows and understands how much of a trying time this is for Americans, so she wanted to do her part to help students as well as adults during such a difficult time.? People are out of school and work with no extra funds for food.? With unemployment through the roof and the government putting an end to the additional federal aid, people across the country are losing everything.? The bare necessities have become luxuries for some.? Shilling has been giving out masks to everyone as well as the hope to prevent the spread of the virus.? She has received donations and packages from food pantries and the USDA who have been in full support of her mission.? Her husband, Brian Shilling has even been helping out as he sees how passionate his wife is about helping others.

ABC 7 and Easterns Automotive Group heard of Shilling?s incredible mission and wanted to cover it on their Helping Hands segment.? Cameras followed Joel Bassam as he surprised Shilling with a check for $1,500 to help continue feeding those in need during this time.? Bassam and Easterns family have loved doing their part to feed the community since they started in business over 30 years ago.? It?s important that we stick together as a community and always be a helping hand to one another when we can.

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/M9Su8j3F85I

Teamwork truly does make the dream work. There is power in numbers and two women from different parts of the DC, Maryland, Virginia area are a testament to that. A Bethesda resident by the name of Niki Mock and a Washington D.C. named India Blocker-Ford are both on a mission to help the community. They decided to come together as Mock has worked with various organizations across Southeast D.C. Blocker-Ford grew up in Southeast herself so for her it’s personal. It?s always different when you can understand a struggle first hand. The Woodland area of Southeast D.C. has been severely impacted by crime, extreme violence, and poverty over the years.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone but those in need of assistance have been hit the hardest. Mock took matters into her own hands but asking her fellow Bethesda neighbors to donate items from their closets to help those in need. She also encouraged them to donate bikes and cash donations. The cash donations were used to purchase refurbished computers and everything was given to the people in the Woodland community. Many students need laptops for online learning since many schools will be resuming virtually to prevent the spread of the virus.

Blocker-Ford has been working with those in this particular community to try to make it a better place. They are an amazing group of people that are just in need of the proper help and resources which is why these donations were so important. Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group are partners on a segment called Pay It Forward where they help those who are making a difference in the community. Joel Bassam of Easterns was so touched by all that these two women are doing that he personally to Southeast D.C. to meet them both. Fox 5 DC cameras followed him as he surprised both ladies with a $2,000 donation to help them buy more bikes and laptops for the residents of the Woodland community. It is important that the residents have access to fitness, transportation, and technology as they strive to be the very best they can be.

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/qL3xOfhwYOM

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-community-comes-together-to-provide-clothing-for-those-in-need-amid-pandemic

These days, it seems like COVID-19 is a never-ending battle.? Each week unemployment numbers continue to rise and people?s funds continue to decrease.? At the end of May, ABC 7 ran a story about United Community which is a local food pantry in Alexandria, VA.? The increase in demand has made it extremely hard for them to feed residents of the community.? After the taping aired, they did receive a good amount of donations that inspired them to launch mobile distribution pick-up sites.

A volunteer at United Community named Yolonda Earl-Thompson took it upon herself to set up a mobile distribution pick-up site right in front of her home.? Each week volunteers from United Community push carts of food to Ms. Yolonda?s house.? She sits outside and encourages people of the community that are walking by come get free snack packs of food.? As a woman of the community, she knows first-hand how the coronavirus pandemic affected her people.? She is all about encouraging others and uplifting the community.

Alison DeCourcey, Executive Director at United Community speaks very highly of Earl-Thomas and her many contributions as a volunteer.? People of the community not only love what Ms. Yolanda is doing but also are doing their part to contribute.? She has received numerous donations and various child and family products.? It also caught the attention of Joel Bassam, Director of Marketing at Easterns Automotive Group.? Easterns has a partnership with ABC7 called Helping Hands where they choose to help people in need that are making strides in the community.? On behalf of Easterns Automotive Group, Bassam donated $2,500 to United Community to continue its mission.? This money will feed thousands of people in the greater Alexandria area.? We cannot thank the entire United Community team enough for their incredible work.? If you would like to learn more about United Community or find ways that you can help, please visit www.unitedcommunity.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/z15jW8COZ7Q

Easterns is in this with you.

There aren?t enough words, posts, or donations to take away the pain of this country and our people.

We cannot be silent in the face of injustice.

There is nothing better than seeing people pitching in to help their community.? A group of friends from Maryland created the Fuel the Fight ? campaign.? Amanda Cohen, Chelsea Widerlite, and Carly Steren created the fundraiser to raise money for local restaurants and healthcare workers.? Both have been severely impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Cohen is currently studying to be a nurse so witnessing a pandemic happen right in front of her eyes inspired her to do her part.? Her friends Widerlite and Steren both wanted to give back and do the right thing as well.? All three of them grew up in Potomac, MD (Montgomery County) and attended Bullis High School.? They are very proud to have been able to come together in their later years and make an impact on the community that raised them.

These ladies made it super easy to donate to Fuel the Fight ? DC by creating a Go Fund Me campaign.? With the donations received, they purchase food from restaurants and deliver it to nurses, doctors, EMT workers, and hospital staff.? It is extremely difficult to work during a pandemic so these free meals are able to bring them a smile and ease some of their stress.? Everyone needs a nutritious meal especially those working 12-hour shifts to care for patients.

Easterns Automotive Group and Reese Waters of WUSA 9?s Get Up DC heard about the Fuel the Fight ? DC campaign and wanted to get involved.? Every month the two partner for a Get Up Give Back segment to help out those doing good in the community.? Reese Waters scheduled a video call with the three ladies to discuss their mission.? During the call, he announced that they would be receiving a $1,000 donation on behalf of Easterns Automotive Group.? To date, Fuel the Fight ? DC has been able to provide over $4,596 meals to healthcare heroes across the DMV.? Teamwork makes the dream work!

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/sqFwWHK1Uho

Link to original article ? https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/outreach/get-up-give-back/get-up-give-back-gives-1k-to-fuel-the-fight-dc/65-01021aec-a042-40b2-b36c-36cdfe4391d3

Being a nurse during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is tough.? However, what is even more difficult is finding time when you?re off to give back to frontline workers.? Natalie Crawford and Lauren Bickel are the prime example of what it looks like to truly care about your community.? These two healthcare heroes are on the front lines themselves so they know first-hand the toll that this virus has not only on patients but essential workers as well.? They founded a campaign called #WECARE as a way to give back and support other workers on the front lines during their days off.? They have been raising money on social media that they use to bring to local restaurants to purchase meals and care packages.? Then Crawford and Bickel hand deliver the packages to frontline workers.

The fact that they are nurses makes this even more special because they can relate.? A small gesture like a free meal can mean the world to an employee who has been on their feet for 12-hours straight caring for ill patients.? Their #WECARE campaign has been a complete success and has garnered attention all throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.? One of the people that caught wind of it was Joel Bassam, Director of Marketing for Easterns Automotive Group.

Joel Bassam put in a call to WUSA 9 because he wanted to bring attention to both Crawford and Bickel?s hard work and also surprise them.? Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 have a partnership called Road to a Better Community where they highlight people doing excellent work in the community.? Ellen Bryan of WUSA 9?s Great Day Washington called the two ladies on a video call with Joel Bassam on the line.? Bassam surprised the ladies with a $2,500 donation on behalf of Easterns to help their #WECARE fund.? With this money, they will able to continue their mission and keep the free meals coming to the frontline and essential workers.? Please click here if you too would like to make a contribution to the #WECARE Go Fund Me.

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

The toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on the economy is one for the books. Small businesses not only continue to be impacted but so does the healthcare system. Hospitals nationwide are facing a plethora of issues as elective services are canceled. This results in a lack of finances that affects the ability to provide a safe environment for both treatment and testing for coronavirus.

For weeks now, Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC have been doing their part to help everyone they can that has been affected by this virus. They got word that Children?s National Hospital in Washington D.C. was in need of help, so they decided to step in and try to ease some of their stress. Allison Seymour was able to chat with Emily Dorosz, Clinical Program Coordinator for the Emergency Medicine and Medicine Center at Children?s via video call to discuss some of their current challenges. Dorosz informed Seymour that they are having trouble securing PPE needed for nurses and doctors due to their decrease in revenue. There is a nationwide shortage of PPE as it is so not having the necessary funds can truly prevent one from having access.

Joel Bassam of Easterns joined the video call with Seymour and Dorosz to deliver a very special message. He announced that he would be donating $2,500 to Children?s National Hospital on behalf of Easterns as part of their Pay It Forward ? Virtual Hugs for Heroes segment. People in the healthcare field already to so much to keep our lives safe that they should not have to worry about a lack of safety equipment. Please visit www.childrensnational.org to get informed about their incredible care or to find ways that you too can help.

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/DKJWlQ5jGHk

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-community-comes-together-to-support-childrens-national-hospital-staff