Pay It Forward – Ana Romero

Community,

Ana Romero doesn’t want anyone to experience what she went through during the pandemic and uses what she learned from her experience to help others. She now uses what she learned to help her community. Ana’s actions inspired us on our Pay It Forward with Fox 5 DC that we had to surprise her with something special.?

Ana contracted COVID-19 resulting in her spending a week in the hospital. Even though Ana was finally able to return home, the virus’s lasting effects have caused her to still be in pain, and she has also lost vision in one of her eyes. In the process of her husband and son caring for her, they lost their jobs. However, she did not let this stop her.

After Ana’s encounter with the virus, it motivated her to help her community. Daily, Ana gathers food from a local non-profit called Tenants and Workers United and delivers it to high-risk individuals and those in need. She was terrified to go to the hospital when she contracted COVID-19, so it is also essential to share facts and not fear while encouraging others to get tested. People often ask if she is getting paid for her act of kindness, but it is 100% from her heart.?

Ana’s actions are such an inspiration to us at Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC, so we surprised her with a deluxe spa basket, a warm shoulder throw, and a $200 gift card to Safeway.

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.

Helping Hands – Surprise Food Pantry

Community,

Once the pandemic brought the world to a complete stop, it ended jobs for many across the globe. Tri Trinh?s photo booth business took a big hit once there was a halt to events. He lost his source of income and gained lots of free time during the pandemic. With more time on his hands, he wanted to find ways to give back to the community with very little money.?

It began with a coat drive. On the first three Saturdays of October, Tri gave away hundreds of coats to anyone in need. The idea for a food pantry sparked when he noticed others began to put canned goods in community libraries instead of books. Tri opened DC?s first 24/7 food pantry outside of Bluebird Sky Yoga. Understanding that, like himself, there are many newly unemployed people and don?t know where to go, he wanted to be that helping hand for those in this time of need without judgment. The food pantry has a take what you need set up, and he visits the pantry throughout the day to make sure the shelves are stocked.?

He has since launched a non-profit called Kindness DC and hopes to open more 24/7 food pantries across the district. Partnered with ABC 7?s Helping Hands, Easterns Automotive?s Joel Bassam was able to share our surprise donation of $1500 to continue his mission.?

“This is awesome! This will help us fill the pantry for three full weeks,” Trinh said.?

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.

Get Up Give Back – DC Safe

Community,

With everyone confined to their homes since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in domestic violence cases across the U.S. This is where nonprofits, like DC Safe, step up to create a safe space and help survivors during a crisis.?

DC Safe stands for Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment and is the only 24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence in Washington, DC. They are made up of several teams and programs dedicated to helping survivors in various ways including emergency lock changes, food for the weekend, safe housing for survivors, emergency transportation to the shelter, rental assistance, and more.

Reese Waters was able to chat with Natalie Oterio, the co-founder and executive director, and learned that their biggest need currently, is food cards to give to survivors and their families staying at their shelter. Natalie expressed that the Safe Space Crisis Shelter sees about 300 to 400 families a year and with an influx staying due to the holidays they simply need food cards to provide to their families. Easterns Automotive Group wanted to ensure that DC Safe was able to get the food cards they needed to keep doing great work in the community. In partnership with WUSA 9?s Get Up and Give Back DC, Reese was able to present DC Safe with $1000 to help them get the food cards for the families at there shelter.?

There is no donation to small. DC Safe has a breakdown on their website sharing exactly how your donation can help. To learn more about ways you can donate or volunteer with the DC Safe please visit – www.dcsafe.org

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

Get Up Give Back – United Soldiers and Sailors of America

Community,

 

The sacrifice that veterans make everyday for our country deserves more than a thank you, and a nonprofit whose mission is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for veterans in need is United Soldiers and Sailors of America.

Reese Waters was able to sit down with United Soldiers and Sailors of America?s president, John Yori, to hear more about the organization and their efforts in the metro area. Seeing the needs of veterans first hand, their programs, services, and events were created to have a direct impact on the wellbeing of veteran lives. It is an all volunteer organization that services food insecure and homeless veterans in the Washington, DC area, supplying them with toiletries, hosting food drives, and providing winter survival kits.?

Veterans have served to protect us and it is important that we protect them in return. That?s why, in partnership with Get Up DC and @WUSA9, we were excited to donate $1000 to United Soldiers and Sailors of America with Reese Waters, so that they can continue to enhance the quality of life for our veterans?

To learn more about ways you can donate or volunteer with the United Soldiers and Sailors of America please visit – www.usasoa.org

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

Helping Hands – 29 Diner

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There has been a huge shift in the way people are choosing to run their businesses and organizations since the COVID-19 hit.? John Wood owns a restaurant called 29 Diner in Fairfax, Virginia that had to close temporarily at the beginning of the pandemic.? Having a restaurant that is struggling to survive is certainly stressful, but Wood put his space to use.? Wood was able to convert 29 Diner into a free community pantry to help feed those in need during this unprecedented time.? Although he wasn?t happy with the status of his restaurant, he also knew and respected the fact that so many more people need more help than him.? Those people include front line workers, first responders, and at-risk youth.

What started as a small project several months ago ended up turning into a long-lasting event.? 29 Diner began to get filled with groceries and household items for those in need.? Wood also took the initiative to get a food truck and deliver free meals with the help of his loyal team.? He has seen a great amount of support from the community in terms of donations to keep this going.? However, Wood is no stranger to giving back and supporting his people.? He has a program called Feed a Vet and Save a Vet for veterans that raises awareness about suicide prevention and has fed over 8,000 people this year alone.

ABC 7 and Easterns Automotive Group made the decision to feature Wood and his 21 Diner on their latest Helping Hands segment.? Wood was surprised and excited to chat with the ABC 7 team and even received a special surprise from Joel Bassam of Easterns.? They played Wood a message from Bassam saying that he would be receiving a $1,500 donation from Easterns to continue his incredible work in the community.? If you would like to learn more about 29 Diner?s Mobile Free Food Pantry & Free Kitchen or make a donation, please visit: www.29diner.com

 

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/aW30xVFChmU

Get Up Give Back – Cornerstone Church

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The COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately allowed us to see how quickly things can change.? A large number of people who help others became in need of help themselves. According to the stats, the unemployment rate in Maryland was 7.8% higher than the national rate of 6.9% as of October 2020.? WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group have teamed up to highlight individuals and organizations working hard in the community to support the people that need it the most.

The amazing folks at the Cornerstone Church in Bowie, Maryland have been serving the Prince George?s County community for the past 25 years.? Lead Pastor Mark Lehmann and Care Pastor Arnold Bracy in particular are known for their ministry and going above and beyond to serve others.? During the pandemic, the two teamed up to create a grocery giveaway that has been able to serve as many as 450 families at one time and 100 families on average.? It was important to them that they be a part of the solution rather than the problem.? They set up packages of food that are available for pickup but they also deliver bags to people personally.? Their love of people shines through their church which is a diverse group of people of all ethnicities.

All of this has been possible through the incredible donations that they?ve received from their community.? However, WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group had a special treat for them on their latest Get Up Give Back segment.? Reese Waters of Get Up DC was able to present both pastors with a $1,000 check donation from Easterns to go towards their Helping Hands ministry.? If you would like to learn more about Cornerstone Church and their various ministries, missions, and services ? please visit: www.cag.org

 

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

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YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/la6QDyBLx7Q

 

Pay It Forward – Here For A Reason

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There is no doubt that Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group have been doing everything in their power to assist those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.? They are always looking for people and organizations who are going above and beyond to help those in need.? A nonprofit that is doing an incredible job of this is called Here for A Reason.? This organization focuses on providing educational and financial assistance to individuals living with a disability or a rare condition.? Their vision is to completely eliminate the financial impact that is tied to one?s medical condition due to limited resources and guidelines associated with health insurance.? Melanie Oates is both the founder and Executive Director of Here for A Reason.? Oates developed a passion for helping families of special needs children because she has a special needs child herself.

As a single mother of twins, Oates is committed to doing everything she can to assist them.? She even had to quit her job due to her twins needing 24-hour supervision.? This decision caused a huge financial strain on the family but as a mother, Oates had to do what was in the best interest of her children.? At one point, she had almost lost her home, but she ended up getting the help that she needed.? It was at that moment that she realized other families were facing the same struggles. This inspired her to create Here for A Reason.

Oates was surprised by the Pay It Forward crew ? Maureen Umeh Fox 5 DC and Joel Bassam of Easterns during her latest GasGiving 2020 initiative.? The goal of the campaign is to raise enough money to gift gas cards to 100 families undergoing treatment at Children?s National in Washington D.C.? The price of gas is quite expensive especially when traveling back and forth from the hospital.? Bassam was able to speak with Oates virtually about his admiration for her and her nonprofit and wanted to celebrate by donating $2,000 to the organization.? This money will help reach the goal of the campaign and more.? If you would like to learn more, get involved, or apply for assistance ? please visit: www.hereforareason.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.

 

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/XmE4HGNNFYQ

 

Road to a Better Community – For 3 Sisters

Community,

 

October of each year is breast cancer awareness month.? Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 had their mindset on highlighting a non-profit organization that helps breast cancer patients and survivors for their Road to a Better Community segment.? The one that stuck out to them the most is called For 3 Sisters, which is an Olney, Maryland based national grassroots organization dedicated to raising awareness and improving the lives of both men and women affected by breast cancer.

F3S was founded by a retired firefighter named Marshall Moneymaker and his wife Shannon.? Marshall has been nicknamed ?The Pink Firefighter? after dedicating the rest of his life to supporting breast cancer which impacted his family greatly.? He lost his three older sisters in a span of two years to breast cancer.? Their journey as a family was tough coping with multiple losses in such a short amount of time.? Therefore, he knows and understands the obstacles and burdens that many of these families have had to endure.? Finances and lack of resources can certainly be a burden in a time of need.? What?s great is that the Moneymaker?s don?t discriminate.? It is their mission to help every person possible to ensure that they feel a sense of support.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, F3S has received an increase in the demand for services but a decrease in funding.? Easterns Automotive Group?s Joel Bassam decided to surprise the Moneymaker family live on WUSA 9.? Bassam presented the couple with a check donation of $2,000.? They will be able to do wonderful things with the money including assisting and reaching more people in need.? The mission was started out of love and family which shows throughout their tremendous efforts. If you would like to learn more about For 3 Sisters or know someone in particular that can benefit from what they have to offer, please visit: www.f3s.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

Helping Hands – She Believes in Me

Community,

 

Local nonprofit organizations across the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area have been stepping up to assist those affected by COVID-19.? One, in particular, is ?She Believes in Me? located in Herndon, Virginia that is founded by Renee Gorman.? ?She Believes in Me? offers elementary age at-risk girls the opportunity to participate in events designed to encourage, inspire, and empower through field trips and monthly events. Gorman is an elementary school counselor herself so she has a background in caring, listening, and understanding young girls.? Schools only provide support while students are in class, but it was Gorman that knew that young girls needed more.

Prior to COVID-19, ?She Believes in Me? held one of their largest events to date.? These monthly events were about providing young girls with life skills.? When girls are given these tools at a young age it allows them to be better equipped to handle things that arise in the future.? Some of the skills included relationship skills, self-esteem, mental health, physical health, and emotional health.

Once COVID-19 hit, everything changed.? Gorman was unable to meet the girls like she was used to which led her to revamp her strategy.? She began to notice the need for food in the community with so many families out of work with very little income.? Gorman put together several packs of food which turned into way more than she anticipated.? She moved the setup into her garage for a while and eventually to Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, VA.

Gorman and her volunteers have been able to supply food and household items for over 6,000 local families and consistently serve close to 50 families a week.? Her husband, Victor Gorman, nominated her for ABC 7?s Helping Hands segment with Easterns Automotive Group.? Helping Hands highlights individuals who are doing great work within the community.? ABC 7 WJLA cameras were able to surprise her with a $1,500 donation from Easterns Automotive Group.? Joel Bassam of Easterns was able to deliver the message to Gorman and volunteers.? This money will allow ?She Believes in Me? her to continue supporting young girls and also feed families in need affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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/cPjI_E-GSbI

Helping Hands – Horton’s Kids

Community,

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has really given wonderful nonprofit organizations across the DMV region to step up and help those in need. One organization is Horton?s Kids located in the poverty-stricken Wellington Park community of Washington D.C.? Horton?s Kids empowers children grades K through 12 in the District to overcome life?s obstacles so they can succeed in life.? They push the youth to graduate from high school by offering academic support and social-emotional development.

The unfortunate part about the pandemic is that many schools are participating in virtual learning.? This means that children are attending class and learning online.? With that said, each child needs the necessary digital tools to be successful and bridge the academic gap.? Horton?s Kids has been working to provide students with internet and tablets to be able to complete their schoolwork.? They have also been working to provide food and hygiene products.

The ABC 7 WJLA-TV team was so moved by the efforts of Horton?s Kids that they featured them on Good Morning Washington back in August.? This caught the attention of Easterns Automotive Group so they two decided to come together to highlight Horton?s Kids on their Helping Hands segment.? Easterns Automotive Group was able to surprise the nonprofit organization with a check for $1,500.? The donation will allow Horton?s Kids to continue helping children and supporting those in the community that needs it the most.

Horton’s Kids has a number of ways for people to get involved including – donating, volunteering, and joining their team. For more information, please visit www.hortonskids.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/DyizInqHc1U