Tag Archives: Community

Road to a Better Community – The Congressional Award Foundation

Community,

Easterns Automotive Supports Congressional Award Foundation

 

What does the Congressional Award Foundation do?

The youth play a critical role in shaping the future of this country.? Congress created a foundation and charity called The Congressional Award Foundation to highlight and encourage young people to stretch into the areas of volunteerism, physical fitness, personal development, and expedition/exploration.? Awards are given out to honor those that have reached their goals and surpassed expectations.? The overall goal is to show young people how to be well-rounded and diverse individuals in many aspects of life.? There are over 54,000 young people currently enrolled in the foundation.? It is truly incredible to see so many students pushing themselves to new heights while motivating and inspiring others in the process.? The foundation has a partnership with the Washington Nationals that allows participating youth to come to games and see their photos on the jumbotron.

Joel Bassam Presents Donation to the Foundation

WUSA 9 and Fox 5 DC thought that it would only make sense to highlight The Congressional Award Foundation and discuss their amazing work.? The two have created the Road to a Better Community segment where they find people and organizations that are making a difference in the D.C. metro community.? Paxton Baker, Chairman of The Congressional Award Foundation was joined by Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group at WUSA 9 studio for a very special surprise.? Bassam presented Baker with a 2,500 check donation for the foundation on behalf of Easterns.? This money will go back into the foundation to continue enriching the lives of the youth.? Bassam also promised to match any additional donations until July 17th.? If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to The Congressional Award Foundation, please click here.

Learn about the Easterns / WUSA 9 Partnership

To learn more about Easterns Automotive Group?s partnership with WUSA 9 and how they come together to empower the community, please visit www.wusa9.com/BetterCommunity

 

Link to original WUSA 9 article

Easterns Automotive Group partners with Get Up DC to give away watches to the homeless

Community

Watch Giveaway Campaign in DC

The homeless epidemic is a huge problem in the D.C. region.? Often, people see it but don?t pay too much attention because they are too caught up in their own lives.? Ms. Faye Smith, however, did the opposite.? This past Mother?s Day, Smith gifted a watch to a homeless D.C. woman.? The level of compassion she showed created a very special and unique friendship.? Through developing the friendship, Smith learned many things about homeless culture.? Most homeless people do not have watches, so, they have no knowledge of the time.? Asking others for the time can be a difficult task because people are quick to show disinterest.

Easterns Automotive Donates Watches for the Homeless

One generous move on Smith?s part grew into the idea of creating a watch giveaway campaign.? She took it upon herself to raise awareness and ask for watch donations so that she could give them out around the city.? Reese Waters of Get Up DC got wind of this and called his friends at Easterns Automotive Group to help out.? The WUSA 9 camera crew followed Waters down to the District where he met Smith with a surprise.? He presented Smith with $500 worth of brand new watches along with a $500 gift card to get new batteries for the pre-owned watches she has.? Her look of excitement spoke volumes.? Smith stepped up to the plate to be the change that she wants to see in her community.? It?s a wonderful feeling when those that do such good are rewarded.

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

Pay It Forward – Eyes Up, Phones Down Teen Drivers Safety Campaign

Community,

Easterns Supports Teen Driver Safety Campaign

 

What is the Eyes Up, Phones Down Campaign about?

You can always count on Fox 5 DC to shine a light on a great cause and educate their audience on a particular topic.? They created the Eyes Up, Phones Down Teen Drivers Safety Campaign to inform teens in the DMV about the importance of practicing safe driving.? The summer months are very dangerous for teens because they are out of school and constantly seeking fun.? Many find themselves glued to their cell phones even while driving, which is a serious problem. Teen deaths linked to texting and driving are on the rise.? No parent or family wants to endure something so tragic that could have been prevented.? A text message or a social media post can wait until you reach your destination ? it is never worth your life or someone else?s.? If you have any friends or family that text while driving, please educate them of the dangers so they too can be more aware.? Spreading the word will save lives!

Easterns Automotive encourages local high school participation

Fox 5 DC held a pep rally with students from Kettle Run, Liberty, and Fauquier County high schools with games and demonstrations about the importance of safe driving.? Easterns Automotive Group stepped up to sponsor Fox 5?s campaign by choosing to Pay It Forward to the wonderful student body of Fauquier County High School.? Joel Bassam of Easterns made the announcement live on Fox 5 DC with Mike Thomas that Easterns would provide Fauquier students with a free pizza party plus $5 Amazon gift cards for each student?s participation in Eyes Up, Phones Down.? It?s clear that Easterns is still very committed to doing whatever is in the best interest of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community that they have served for over 30 years.

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 – Pharmacist goes above and beyond to help a sick child

Community,

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC are always looking for someone who is doing great things to make a difference in the community.? Just recently, their Pay It Forward segment with Fox 5 DC was nominated for an Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.? It is so wonderful to see such a positive segment get noticed that touches many lives across the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia community.? This week?s Pay It Forward segment is special for several reasons.? A small child by the name of Callie Linscott was born with a rare medical condition.? Her parents struggled to find her the proper care but eventually found a specialist in New York to help her with her needs.? She was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition called pulmonary hypertension which greatly affected the family.? Living in Virginia comes with its fair share of obstacles in terms of getting Callie?s medication.? There are three types of medication that she must take three times a day along with a pump attached to her.? Callie?s parents, Nikki and Warren Linscott coordinate with various pharmacies around the clock to make sure the medicine is ordered.? However, some instances arise where shipments can be missed or overlooked.

The family ran into a bit of unexpected trouble on the Friday before Easter when they were alerted by Walgreens that there was a nationwide shortage of Callie?s medications.? They were told that the medications would not be available for a few weeks.? At this point, they only had a two day supply left.? Local pharmacist, Laura Thomas was on the phone with Nikki and offered to try to help locate the medications.? Thomas called the Linscott family back with great news.? The medication was located at a store 100 miles away and she offered to pick it up.? She woke up the next morning and drove for over two hours to pick up the medication and make sure that it was at the store on Monday.? Thomas sacrificed her Easter Sunday to because she knew that Callie?s life depended on these medications.? Needless to say, the Linscott family was thrilled and honored that she would even go the extra mile.? When Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group got wind of Thomas? actions, they had no choice but to Pay It Forward for her selfless deed and compassion that she showed to Callie as a sick child.? Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group was on site with Erin Como and Fox 5 DC cameras to gift Thomas with a spa day for two at the Salamander Resort and Spa and couple dinner at Texas de Brazil: Brazilian Steakhouse.? We thank Laura Thomas for going above and beyond and showing how important it is for a pharmacist to have a caring relationship with their patients.

 

 

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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Watch the video to see the way everything unfolded.

 

 

Link to Original Article

Road to a Better Community – Second Chance Wildlife of Gaithersburg

Community,

Animals have a very special place in the ecosystem.? For this reason, organizations and individuals that care for and help animals should be celebrated.? Easterns Automotive Group and WUSA 9 found an incredible nonprofit that is doing wonders for animals in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia community.? Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland (Montgomery County), Second Chance Wildlife Center helps to rehabilitate thousands of wild animals each year with the hopes of returning them to their natural habitat.? This is possible with the help of their incredible staff and volunteers that spend countless hours working to ensure that the animals receive proper care and attention.? Second Chance is a 501c3 nonprofit organization so they run solely on donations in order to stay afloat and cover the costs they need.?? Rehabilitating animals comes with many costs depending on the severity of a particular animal?s injury.?? Second Chance does not release the animals back to wildlife until they are completely healed and ready to take on nature.

 

WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group wanted to really make a difference in these animals? lives.? Known for giving back in the community, Easterns put their money where their mouth is once again.? Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group was on hand to present Maureen Smith of Second Chance Wildlife Center with a check for $2,000.? These funds will go a long way in terms of caring for the animals.? Hopefully this inspires you to give back in your own community.? Second Chance is always accepting donations, volunteers, and interns.? Please visit www.scwc.org to find out how you can get involved.

 

If you want to learn more about Easterns Automotive Group?s partnership with WUSA 9 and how they come together to empower the community, please visit www.wusa9.com/BetterCommunity

 

 

Link to original WUSA 9 article

Easterns Automotive Group partners with Get Up DC to donate to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

Community, Easterns Automotive

Reese Waters and the wonderful Get Up DC staff are always looking for amazing ways to give back to the community.? This week was no exception.? They reached out to Easterns Automotive Group and the rest was history.? Together, they found the wonderful Lucky Dog Animal Rescue non-profit organization.? Waters went to their HQ in Arlington, VA to talk about the amazing work that they do.? The Lucky Dog staff him a brief run down of their organization.? Lucky Dog was founded in 2009 and since then has saved over 14,000 dogs and cats.? Animals that they rescue stay with volunteers until they find stable home for them.? Finding a match is important to them so they put the animal and potential owner through a match making process to ensure that there is a match.? Lucky Dog is a phenomenal organization that understands the importance of animals and their care.? After the visit, Waters walked the Lucky Dog team to his car where he had a trunk full of dog food.? Easterns Automotive Group thought it would be perfect to donate dog food because they know and understand the amount of dogs they are responsible for.? If you would like to learn more about Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, their animal services, and ways you can help ? please click here.

 

 

Easterns Automotive Group partners with Get Up DC to give back

Community

Thanks to the wonderful team at WUSA 9?s Get Up DC, Easterns Automotive Group was able to partner with them for another great cause.? Reese Waters of Get Up DC joined Donnie Simpson of Uprising Muffin Company in the District to help deliver some muffins to a few teachers.? They stopped by Cleveland Elementary School in Northwest DC to chat with teachers about the incredible impact that they have on their students.? After the chat, the teachers were pleased to enjoy their muffins.? The next stop was Bread for the City which is a nonprofit organization that helps Washington DC residents living with low income.? They provide food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to those in need.? The volunteers are so happy doing their job that it was nice for them to be recognized and celebrated for their hard work.? It is certainly wonderful when people of different walks of life can come together and accomplish a great task that benefits others.? If you would like to learn more about Bread for the City, their services, and ways you can help ? please click here.

 

Pay It Forward – Restoring the historic Woodlawn Cemetery

Community,

The District of Columbia is known for various historic African American historic grounds.? One of these places is the Woodlawn Cemetery located on Benning Road in Southeast DC.? The cemetery sits on 22 acres of land with about 36,000 people buried there.? Some notable figures that are buried at Woodlawn Cemetery include Blanche K. Bruce, Wilson Bruce Evans, and John Wesley Cromwell. ?Blanche K. Bruce was the very first black Republican senator to serve full term in Congress.? Wilson Bruce Evans was a prominent abolitionist that owned a house on the Underground Railroad.? His house was a frequent stop for travelers such as Harriet Tubman.? John Wesley Cromwell was a lawyer, teacher, civil servant, journalist, historian, and civil rights activist.? However, even though Woodlawn Cemetery was their final resting stop, the land was not well maintained over the years.? It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 but still nothing had been done about the land being overgrown and very dangerous.

Thanks to Tyrone Carter and the Woodlawn Cemetery Association, they took it upon themselves to step up and revitalize the historic cemetery.? It was important to them to have the families of deceased loved ones to make the land clean and neat for tourists.? Something that is a tremendous part of history like shouldn?t just be left untreated.? For this reason, Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up to Pay It Forward by helping the Woodlawn Cemetery Association continue the restoration process.? Joel Bassam of Easterns announced that they will be donating $5,000 worth of landscaping courtesy of SML services.? With these funds, they will be able to clear debris and replace headstones.? It is important that Woodlawn Cemetery gets back to its original condition.? Shout out to both Tyrone Carter and the Wood lawn Cemetery Association for their incredible work!

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 article

Pay It Forward – Celebrating Teacher Celebration Week in Southeast DC

Community,

Teacher Appreciation Week took place from May 5th through the 11th.? Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC connected to Pay It Forward to a group of incredible educators at Randle Highlands Elementary School in Southeast DC.? Being a teacher in America is one of the hardest jobs anyone can have.? The level of patience, care, and knowledge that it takes to educate children is truly remarkable.? Many times, teachers are not appreciated and celebrated on the level that they should be.? Mike Thomas of Fox 5 DC was on hand to highlight all of the wonderful teachers and the impact that they have on their students.? Mrs. Wilson was one of the teachers that allowed cameras in her classroom during a short presentation that she did for her students.? Like many teachers, her goal overall is to ensure that the children are having fun throughout the process of learning.

 

The group of teachers at Randle Highlands Elementary School is truly an incredible bunch because they operate as a family.? This is not an easy feat while serving over 350 students but they remain dedicated to their craft.? For their tremendous contributions, Easterns and Fox 5 DC surprised them all with a catered breakfast, notebooks, and a $50 dollar gift card for every teacher.? It is extremely important that teachers everywhere know how much they mean to the community.? They are the leading force in pushing our children to be the best they can be.

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 article

Pay It Forward – Military mom rewarded with a Mother’s Day Brunch

Community,

Mother?s Day is just around the corner!? This is a special time of the year for mothers across the world to be recognized, appreciated, and celebrated for all of their hard work.? Being a mother is a hard job but being a mother in the military is another level of difficulty.? Fox 5 DC captured a very special moment last month when they followed Shadia Everett of Fairfax County, Virginia to surprise her son, James at his school.? James is a student at Riverside Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia.? As a Navy petty officer, Everett was only given one week to visit the U.S. and leave her station at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Africa.? The joy and excitement on both of their faces spoke volumes.? Small moments like that become memories that last a lifetime especially when you are unable to see your loved ones everyday.

 

Easterns Automotive Group was so inspired by the clip that they decided to partner with Fox 5 DC to Pay It Forward.? Initially, Everett was the one trying to surprise her son but this time she was the one ?to get surprised.? Easterns and Fox 5 DC came together to provide Everett, James, and close family members with a limo ride to the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.? The family was treated to an early Mother?s Day brunch since Everett won?t be home the actual holiday.? It was a very special day for the family because it truly does take a village to raise a child.? While Everett is deployed, James is in the loving care of his ?grandparents, aunt, cousins, and even church members.? Mother figures are extremely important because James is still able to receive that love even though his mom is not always able to be present. ?All of these wonderful people did not hesitate to step up to the plate and help while Everett is hard at work hoping to provide a nice future for both her and James.? We would like to send a special shout out to each and every single mother that works tirelessly to provide for their family.? You are loved and appreciated!

 

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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