Category Archives: Uncategorized

Helping Hands – Little Lights

Community, Uncategorized,

Since Steve Park’s family-owned taekwondo studio in Northwest DC opened more than 25 years ago, Little Lights has served families with some of the lowest incomes in Washington, D.C.

After Steve met a young kid who struggled with reading, he felt heartbroken for students who needed help in school and a mentor relationship.

Now, Little Lights offers a variety of after-school programs for hundreds of children between the ages of 3 and 18 years old, including tutoring, mentoring, and more.

When there was a school teacher shortage last summer, Little Lights was there to help D.C. families in need.

With Little Lights’ help and support, all six of her children will pass, said Kourtney Mills, a mom of six.

Little Lights recently launched a college and career readiness program, which assists students in enrolling in college and setting them up for success after graduation. In addition, Little Lights offers job training to adults. Since its founding, the non-profit has grown beyond just a program. It has become an integral part of the community in the process.

“We build deep relationships with families. We even hire adults from the community to come work and be employed at our center,” Park said. “We develop the relationship long-term. Even during the pandemic, we would call parents every single week and have zoom chats, provide tablets that have internet, and act as an extended family for our students and adults, so they do have that support system that they often lack. It’s very easy for students to fall through the cracks when that support system isn’t there, and the safety net isn’t there. We try to provide that level of depth and support for all of our families.”

Touched by the fantastic works Little Lights is doing in our community, we surprised them with a check for $2,000 to go towards their incredible initiative.

Park was extremely thankful for the generous gift from the Helping Hands initiative. “We are excited to put it into our career and college readiness program and help it to grow and help more students,” Park said. “This is wonderful. Wow. I’m so touched. It’s so generous. This will really help.”

Road to a Better Community – The Old Soldier’s Home Foundation

Community, Uncategorized,

The Armed Forces Retirement home is the nation’s oldest home for enlisted military veterans, founded in 1851. The bond between the veterans here is like no other.

The home’s mission for vibrant living is supported by the Old Soldiers Home Foundation, founded in 2017 by David Pauly, a veteran who lived at the Armed Forces Retirement Home before his passing. Through the work of the foundation, his legacy lives on.

The foundation relies on community support, and to help further their mission Easterns Automotive joined with something special. Joel Bassam surprised the foundation with $2,000.

Helping Hands – PG’s County Police Department’s Annual Sock Drive Surprise

Community, Uncategorized,

When it comes to homeless shelters, socks are the most requested item but are rarely donated. Through the PAL Mentorship Program, Prince George’s County’s Office of Community First hosts this annual sock drive to support people experiencing homelessness.

“This is about us giving back, it’s about addressing homelessness and giving back to others when those socks are much-needed items, including keeping people warm and preventing frostbite,” said Prince George’s County Police Chief Aziz.

Easterns Automotive Group heard about their initiative and surprised them with a truck full of $2,000 worth of socks to support it. Corporal Black greatly appreciated Easterns Automotive Group’s generous donation to launch this year’s drive.

Pay It Forward – Lorton Community Action Center

Community, Uncategorized

Lorton Community Action Center saw a need in the face of the pandemic and wanted to make sure families had a wonderful holiday season. Over 300 families signed up to receive assistance for the holidays. That’s why they kicked collecting toys and food for a community distribution day into overdrive.

For those families who were just barely surviving, this holiday season has been challenging due to the pandemic, according to the center’s executive director, Linda Patterson. “We want to help them, take the stress off trying to make the holidays enjoyable for these families who’ve seen so much heartbreak this year,” she says.

They were committed to providing food, toys, and resources to those who needed them the most. They worked tirelessly to gather donations to distribute, and we had a secret surprise on this Pay It forward. To support this incredible project, we donated $2,000 to buy toys for the center. LCAC provided toys, store gift cards, and food gift cards for more than 351 households, reaching 1,272 individuals.

Helping Hands – Santa’s Helpers

Community, Uncategorized

During the holidays, a Fredericksburg couple goes above and beyond to ensure Christmas is a joyful time for their children in the community. Michelle Donnelly and her husband Mike Donnelly have filled a 20-foot U-Haul with thousands of toys that they have collected over the last year.

It’s a labor of love for the Fredericksburg couple who voluntarily donate toys to Toys for Tots every year. “We don’t have kids so this is even better for us,” Michelle said. “It wasn’t until 2016 we received a blessing and we were able to give back.” They are now forming a nonprofit organization called Santa’s Helpers, more than six years after they first started.

“Usually box stores will overstock for Christmas, and then once Christmas is over, they start to discount their stuff and in January we go out,” Michelle said. “A lot of our friends and family, if they are out and about and they see a deal, they call us and we have a good system.”

In appreciation of the Donnelly’s tireless work, Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive joined with a special surprise. “We were blown away by the way that you are helping spread holiday cheer with Santa’s Helpers. We want to donate $2,000 so that you can keep collecting those toys for the community,” Bassam said.

They were overwhelmed with joy at the donation they received from Easterns. “I can’t even tell you what we can do with $2,000,” Michelle said. “It’s amazing. This can fill up one-half of the room because we are very smart about our shopping. I’m floored.”

Pay It Forward – Soles4Souls

Community, Uncategorized

Chris Cabrera has a sustainability line called Naturally London.
It is a botanical-based award-winning foot and hair care line that focuses on transparency and sustainability. This pairs perfectly with the mission of Souls4Soles because they keep shoes out of landfills and provide resources for others around the world.

Sometimes we have more shoes than we need, and somewhere there are others with no shoes at all. There is an organization that changes that. Soles4Souls works with various locations so that people in the community can drop off shoes for those in need. After making sure the shoes are good quality they ship them out.

Easterns Automotive Group heard of the amazing things that Soles4Souls was doing and wanted to help with this awesome mission. We surprised them with $500 worth of shoes and purchased $1,500 worth of foot soap for first responders and hospital staff! Completely speeches you could see the joy in Chris’s face as she accepted the check. She was honored that Naturally London would have the opportunity to help support our everyday heroes.

Emissions Checklist for Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.

Uncategorized

Laws and regulations pertaining to vehicle emissions checks vary depending on where you live. In a metro area like the DMV where regulations can change in a matter of miles, things can get a bit complicated. Make sure to do your research on which rules apply to you.

Maryland Emissions Requirements

Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) applies to vehicles registered in:

  • Anne A​​ru​n​del County
  • Baltimore City
  • Baltimore County
  • Calvert County
  • Carroll County   
  • Cecil County
  • Charles County
  • Frederick County
  • Harford County
  • Howard County
  • Montgomery County
  • Prince George’s County
  • Queen Anne’s County
  • Washington County

If your vehicle isn’t registered in one of those counties, the VEIP rules won’t apply to you. A number of factors may also exempt your vehicle from VEIP requirements. Vehicles made in 1995 or earlier that weigh less than 8,500 pounds, historic vehicles, motorcycles, agricultural equipment and vehicles owned by certain types of drivers (like seniors over the age of 70) might be exempt. Check the Maryland DMV’s website to learn more.

The test your vehicle will be required to undergo depends on its age and type:

  • Gas caps of eligible vehicles manufactured in 1995 or earlier
  • On-board diagnostics for 1996 and newer vehicles (namely the emission control components)
  • Tailpipe test for vehicles manufactured 1995 or earlier and heavy-duty vehicles 2008 or newer

You can find a VEIP station in your county here.

Washington D.C. Vehicle Emissions Inspection

Washington D.C. is one of the few places where you can perform your own vehicle emissions test at a free-standing kiosk.

The type of test your vehicle will need to pass depends on the year it was built. Vehicles built in 1996 or later undergo an on-board diagnostics (OBD) test that is intended to confirm all emissions-related components and systems are working properly. Vehicles manufactured between 1985 and 1995 undergo a tailpipe test. Vehicles built between 1968 and 1983 must past a two-speed idle tailpipe test. 

If your vehicle is registered in Washington D.C. and only requires the OBD test, you can use the self-service kiosk. You may want to read the tutorial first. If for whatever reason you can’t get the self-serve vehicle test to work, you’ll need to visit a DC DMV Inspection Station during their normal business hours.

Virginia Emissions Requirement

Not every Virginia vehicle owner is required to have inspections performed. If your vehicle is registered in one of the following cities or counties, you will be required to have emissions inspections performed:

  • Arlington County
  • Fairfax County
  • Loudoun County
  • Prince William County
  • Stafford County
  • Alexandria
  • Fairfax
  • Falls Church
  • Manassas
  • Manassas Park

Some vehicles are exempt, such as motorcycles, gasoline passengers vehicles over 25 years of age, diesel vehicles manufactured after 1996 that weigh less than 8,501 pounds and electric and natural gas vehicles. You can see the full list of exemptions on the Virginia DMV emissions inspection website.

Virginia makes it easier than a lot of states to get an inspection because they don’t rely solely on DMV-operated emission testing facilities. There are literally hundreds of inspection stations to choose from in cities and counties that require emissions testing because the checks can be performed at nearly any service station, repair shop or dealership that displays the DEQ (Virginia Department of Environmental Quality) logo. You can find a testing station near you here.

In most cases your vehicle emissions testing is required for renewing vehicle registration and is usually good for two years. As with the Washington D.C. and Maryland inspections, most vehicles manufactured since 1996 undergo the OBD testing of the vehicle’s emissions systems. Older vehicles and heavier vehicles may be required to undergo the two-speed dynamometer tailpipe test.

Does Your Vehicle Bought From Easterns Automotive Require Emissions Testing?

Whether your vehicle bought from Easterns Automotive requires emissions testing depends on where you’ll be registering it. Most of the car shoppers visiting our eight locations throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. will likely require some kind of emissions testing.

However, there are a lot of different rules and state and county authorities in the states we serve. Make sure to check with your local DMV on emissions and vehicle inspection requirements for your area.

If you’re looking for a great pre-owned vehicle in the DMV – one that’s been thoroughly inspected for things like vehicle safety and working on-board diagnostics – visit Easterns Automotive Group.

Call us at 877-867-0641 and browse our inventory to learn about our vehicle selection near you.

Helping Hands – The Neighborhood Well

Community, Uncategorized,

Omolayo Adebayo recently launched a program in Maryland that provides showers for the homeless called The Neighborhood Well. When Adebayo is not practicing law as an attorney, she devotes her time and energy to this mission. It is the first non-profit organization of its kind that provides mobile showers to homeless individuals.

“I love encouraging people. My name means, ‘This child brings us joy,'” Adebayo said, smiling. “My parents have always instilled in me to give and give freely.” Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group was touched by Adebayo’s selfless nature and wanted to help in any way he could.

“The Neighborhood Well is a truly amazing organization. The way that you all are providing resources to people experiencing homelessness for them to take the first steps to achieve self-sufficiency is an incredible way to help those individuals,” Bassam said. “We want to donate $2,000 so you can continue supporting those people and achieving the amazing work that you are doing in your community.”

It will help with the purchase of supplies, water disposal, maintenance, and other issues, Adebayo said. “I am overjoyed and always overwhelmed when people see the same vision that I see because it’s not easy to walk this journey,” Adebayo said.

Get Up Give Back – Hope Connections

Community, Uncategorized,

Hope Connections for Cancer Support believes that no patient should face cancer alone. The organization provides emotional and physical support to people living with cancer.

Get Up DC’s Allison Seymour met with the non-profit’s president and CEO, Mary McCusker. Hope Connections helps cancer patients cope with the mind-body connection through its support groups while receiving medical treatments.

“There is something very therapeutic to be able to sit in a room of people that know exactly what you’re going through and what you’re feeling at any given time,” McCusker said. “And then also the physical side. We offer gentle yoga, Pilates, mind-body boxing, and also meditation and relaxation, and all of the things that will really help you on that journey.”

Hope Connections also provides educational programs run by a medical advisory board of professionals. These experts provide information on cancer treatment options and how to deal with fatigue related to cancer.

We had the opportunity to surprise McCusker and donate $1,000 to Hope Connections. McCusker was happy just to share about Hope Connections but walked away in awe by this surprise!

Pay It Forward – Blessings Box

Community, Uncategorized,

Residents in a Capitol Heights neighborhood joined together to create what they call the “Blessing Box.” It is a large box in their community full of food for others to take when in need. Maureen Umeh met with two community members to learn more about the different things they do to help each other. One neighbor shared that she has a garden and often gives away fresh vegetables to others in the community.

Inspired by these neighbors coming together to help one another Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined with a special surprise, “You guys show that blessings begin with a heart to give! We want to be a blessing to you and your neighbors by giving each household a $100 gift card to help with their Thanksgiving day shopping!” The neighbors lit up with joy and excitement as they heard the good news!