Pay It Forward partners Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group (Eastern Motors) have teamed up yet again.? The pair found a very special organization to give back to.? A 7-year-old girl by the name of Myanna created her own non-profit organization named MyannasHeart based off a personal experience.? When Myanna was just 5 months old, she had her very first open heart surgery and has undergone several surgeries since.? After enduring such a traumatic experience both mentally and physically, she made it her purpose to help other children with their own hospital experience.

MyannasHeart is a non-profit organization that gives tote bags filled with goodies to children at Inova Children?s Hospital.? Some of the goodies included in the tote toys, blankets, and puzzles.? These small things can make a child?s hospital stay that much more comfortable.? Kudos to Myanna?s mother Sheri Kempton for stepping up to the plate and taking the steps to ensure that her daughter?s dream came to life.? When Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group got wind of this they immediately wanted to help.? Fox 5 DC invited Myanna and her family on Good Day DC where Joel Bassam of Easterns surprised them live on air with toys, supplies for their bags, and a check for $1,000 to help them on their mission.? If you would like to learn more about MyannaHeart and how you can help, please click here.

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.

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC recently found an incredible organization to Pay It Forward to.? William Craig, Antonio Beard, and Jalen Thomas created the Lead By Example non-profit foundation to teach children the importance of health and fitness.? The is done by mentoring, educating, and keeping children of the District active to combat childhood obesity and help develop healthy eating habits while they are young.? The three of them are working to implement their program into schools, which would in turn replace detention, suspension, or school punishment.? Children would learn various workout programs to reduce stress.

Easterns and Fox 5 DC came together to Pay It Forward the wonderful founders of Lead By Example so that they can continue their tremendous efforts.? Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group presented $1,500 to the foundation so that 200 students can go to the Universoul Circus.? This will be a fun experience for the kids to bond and catch up with eachother out of school. The volunteers were also given $20 gas card to help transport the children.? You too can be a part of the Lead By Example Foundation.? Please click here to see how you can get involved.

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.

Happy June!? Easterns Automotive Group (Eastern Motors) teamed up with Fox 5 DC once again for another segment of Pay It Forward.? The two came across a young 10-year-old girl from Maryland that is doing some great things in the community by helping to save animals.? Addy Barrett created her own non-profit organization by the name of Gorilla Heroes to help the endangered mountain gorillas in Africa.? She came up with the idea to start a pie-face challenge that will help raise money for this cause.? The initial campaign took off due to Addy?s mom Sarah taking a picture of the poster that Addy created and sharing it on social media.?? In the photo, Addy is holding a poster that says ?Save the Gorillas!?? Addy?s site has since raised over $1,000 due to the impact of the pie-face challenge.? She got the inspiration for the challenge from the ALS Bucket Challenge.? Addy got a pie in her face every time a donation was made or a t-shirt was purchased.? People were eager to support the cause because they can see she is doing something extremely clever and charitable for her age.? While other kids her age are playing on video games or on the computer, Addy is continuing to create awareness about her cause.

Addy?s efforts caught the attention of David Singer, a member of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.? Singer praised Addy for her generous efforts and even gave her a keepsake from his trip to Rwanda where he got to see the mountain gorillas.? It?s only the beginning for Addy and her philanthropic ways.? She is set to host a Gorilla Gala on Sunday, June 23^rd at A Bit Better Farm in Brookville, Maryland. ?The event is intended to get kids and their families excited about the gorillas and of course learn more.? There will be games, crafts, VR Gorilla Tours, and some pie-face fun.? All proceeds from this event will go directly to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Ellen Degeneres Wildlife Fund.

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC got wind of the remarkable things that Addy is doing with Gorilla Heroes and wanted to do their part and contributing.? Easterns donated $500 to the Gorilla Gala along with t-shirts and a gift-card to Sakura.? Addy and her mother Sarah are looking forward to eating at their favorite restaurant.? Allison Seymour of Fox 5 DC and Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group were such great sports that the two decided to take a pie in the face on live tv.? It?s all about having fun!? If you would like to donate

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.

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Pay It Forward partners Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up once again, but this time in honor of Military Appreciation Month. The military is the heart of this country because they continue risk their own lives to fight for us civilians on a daily basis. Often times, we forget to honor them and really show them the love and respect that they deserve. Fox 5 DC and Easterns decided that they were going to change things. Joel Bassam, Director of Marketing at Easterns Automotive Group, met with Mike Thomas of Fox 5 DC to pass out gift cards to both retired and active members of the military. The overall goal was just to bring a smile to veterans? faces and show veterans genuine appreciation for protecting this country and keeping us all safe.

Sgt. Matt Wilkes stopped by to chat and help Pay It Forward to other veterans. He is currently retired after serving 3 tours. According to Sgt. Wilkes, life as a member of the military is much more structured and discipline than life as a civilian. Unlike many of us, he has been able to be both in his lifetime. The key to surviving in the military is having a strong support system. His wife was just that as she raised the kids and handled everything at home when he was away. Sgt. Wilkes just recently received his degree from George Mason University in Cyber Security Engineering and is in the process of transitioning fields. He is proof that there is another life after retiring from the military. It really comes down to what you want in life.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group gave out over $3,000 in gift cards to active and retired military around the Washington Naval Yard. Hopefully you feel inspired to do something nice for any military personnel that you know. We must continue to let our military know they are 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.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up once again but this time to celebrate. Tuesday, May 8th was National Teacher Appreciation Day so the two Pay It Forward partners teamed up to surprise the incredible educators at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School. The day started off with free breakfast courtesy of Easterns. Mike Thomas was able to speak with several teachers to discuss their important role in kids? lives and understand the reason that inspired them to teach. Joel Bassam, Director of Marketing at Easterns, was got on the mic to address the teachers and also give each of them a $50 Amazon to in honor of their selfless contributions to their students? day in and day out.

Allison Seymour came to the school later in the day where she met with the principal of Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School, Dr. Clint Mitchell. The two helped surprise a standout 3rd grade teacher by the name of Jamelle Adamson. Ms. Adamson was singled out for going above and beyond to accommodate all her students and always bringing her A game in the classroom. As a community, we should do our best to always make sure teachers make sure they feel 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.