Jill’s House is a non-profit that provides short-term, overnight care to families raising children with intellectual disabilities in the DC metro area, and around the country. While their kids engage in fun activities tailored to their interests and abilities, parents receive 24-48 hours to rest and recharge.

“The first thing I felt when I walked in the door, complete peace, joy and serenity and absolute love and compassion, no judgment,” mom Holly Sorell said. As a military family, Holly and her family do not have relatives in the area to watch their children, including their son Jacob, who needs care 24/7. It is designed to look like a resort for those who visit, and because of Jill’s House families, like Holly’s, can get rest.

“For the vast majority of the of the parents, the families we serve, we think around 85percent of them have never had their child spend the night away from them,” Dana Hecht, vice president of Compliance and Family Support Services of Jill’s House.

“Jill’s House seems like an amazing organization helping renew and recharge the relationships between children’s intellectual disabilities and their families. I know firsthand what it’s like to have a family member with a disability and how much it means to the families who are part of your programs the way that you help them. We want to help you continue to do that by donating $2,000 to your cause so that you can continue to build these relationships and improve the lives who need it most. Continue to do the amazing work you’re doing,” Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group said.

“I have no words but thank you very, very much. There are so many families that this will bless. Thank you so much,” Sorell said, floored by the surprise donation.

Lacy Fields is the owner of Therapeutique Salon and Spa in Rockville, but she also created a foundation called Black Girls Rockville that works to give back to the community.

Black Girls Rockville hosts an event called Breakfast and Haircuts, where they provide styling services to those experiencing homelessness. At the last event, they served 66 people. One of her clients, owner of Stevens Transportation Group, loved the work that Black Girls Rockville is doing and volunteered to provide transportation for those in need to the salon.

Therapeutique Salon’s master stylist, Mackenzie Dehaut, shared how much joy it brought her to see their eyes light up and make them feel like they matter.

Amazed by the work they are doing in their community, we wanted to Pay It Forward with a special surprise. Lacy was exstatic and burst into tears when she received a check for $2000

Educate Fairfax works year-round to make sure students have supplies throughout the year. The organization provides school supply kits, backpacks, gift cards, personal hygiene items, computers, and laptops.

180,000 students in Fairfax county and about a third of them qualify for free and reduced meals, which means their volunteers are working to provide school supplies for about 60,000 students. This not only helps to take the pressure off of students but also teachers. “Teachers are known for going out and using their own fund to buy things for their students, and we want to make sure that they don’t have to do that,” Padmore explained.

Easterns Automotive Group wanted to support this amazing cause by providing a 7News Helping Hand.

Joel Bassam joined virtually with a message for their team, “Educate Fairfax is an amazing organization supporting both the students and teachers of Fairfax County Public Schools. We wanted to help you guys out by donating $2,000 to support 200 students to get their school year started off right by providing school supplies. Continue doing the amazing work you are doing. We can’t wait to see you again.”

They were ecstatic about this donation and shared that each kit cost about $10 and this will help them provide for about 200 students.

In 1990, Coach Carter started the organization Student Athletes For Educational Opportunities to help develop skills and provide opportunities for student-athletes in Prince George’s County.

“I started the organization when I was a sophomore in college. I wanted to give high school and college student-athletes a platform to voice issues that impacted their life on and off the playing field,” Coach Carter said.

SAFL isn’t only inspiring kids on the court and the field, he also helps them with their entrepreneurial goals. Easterns Automotive Group heard of the amazing things SAFL was doing and wanted to donate $2,000 to help towards their amazing initiative.

“Oh, it’s definitely going to help out a lot on the day-to-day operations and all the activities we have going on in the community. It’s going to help a lot. Thank you, Easterns Automotive Group!” Coach Carter said.

The summer at Bethlehem Lutheran Church is all hands on deck as dozens of youths prepare meals for those in need. After the meals are prepared, the students write letters to accompany them. A student read aloud, “I hope this meal helps. We are trying our hardest. From, Kids Give Back.” The nonprofit is called “Kids Give Back,” founded in 2019 by Denise Gavilan.

“We make volunteering meaningful and fun,” Gavilan said. “Our goal is to inspire them to continue volunteering.” Through this unique program, children learn valuable life lessons while staying busy during the summer.

“They said, ‘Ms. Denise, we had a lemonade stand last night. Could you use this money to buy food for people who need it?'” Gavilan recalled. “I still tear up when I tell that story.”

Cooking isn’t the only activity the youth engage in. They also create gifts for hospitals and animal shelters too.

Joel Bassam and Easterns Automotive Group wanted to surprise “Kids Give Back” with a 7News Helping Hand.

“We work closely with Helping Hands to help organizations just like yourself,” Bassam said. “We were touched by what you guys do. You do a little bit of everything, and we love it. We want to support your cause by donating $2,000 so you guys can keep helping all the families that you guys help.” Gavilan told Bassam the money will help fund future projects.

City Gate, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit, has provided Southeast, D.C. children with a summer outlet for more than 20 years now.

Mary Virginia Merrick Recreation Center fills up every summer after school lets out. The free program Twenty-two years ago, Dr. Lynn Bergfalk started the City Gate program to help at-risk children continue learning throughout the summer.

“We are providing a safe place with caring adults, helping with homework and making sure kids get fed and how to address issues like closing the academic achievement gap, stopping summer learning loss, addressing social and emotional learning,” Dr. Bergfalk said.

With a long-standing track record of engaging at-risk youth in quality afterschool and summer day camp programs, they focus on academics, social-emotional learning, and life skills. In their programs, youth are empowered to realize their potential and become caring, confident, and responsible adults in a safe, structured environment.

Joel Bassam with Easterns Automotive Group wanted to give back to City Gate through 7News’ Helping Hands.

“Learning more and more about City Gate as an organization has been truly eye-opening. The way you have supported our community for over 20 years through your programs is truly amazing,” Bassam said. “You have empowered and engaged at-risk youth and families affected by poverty. We want to help you by donating $2,000 to your cause. Keep doing the amazing work you are doing.”

Dr. Bergfalk says the money could help with unanticipated costs like an extra field trip.

From her parents’ basement in Clarksville, MD, Sonia Su hand-packs cancer care kits for patients and caregivers across the nation. During her cancer treatment, she received a care package from another cancer patient that was once in her room and is now doing better. That inspired Sonia to start her mission to give back to others.

More than 3,000 care kits and 600 blankets have been distributed since she founded “Kits to Heart” in May 2020. Her efforts to help others even captured the attention of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan who gave her the hometown hero award during the 39th Annual Governor’s Service Awards.

“What goes into the kits is really based on my personal experience of what helped me during treatments. That includes water bottles to keep hydrated, masks and hand sanitizers, healthier protein snacks, and of course, we try to include some handmade items. A lot of love goes into every kit,” Su said.

She hopes that one day her organization will be large enough to help patients all over the world. Sonia’s organization is doing great things, and we wanted to surprise her with a donation of $2,000.

SevaTruck was started by Sonny Kakar in April 2016 in an effort to reduce hunger in our communities by providing hot, nutritious meals to anyone who needs them. In partnership with food banks, shelters, and nonprofit organizations, SevaTruck provides nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals to address poverty in Washington, D.C. SevaTruck is now in several places across the country, including Michigan and San Francisco, but it originated here in Maryland, and of June 2022, they have served 40,000 meals.

In Hyattsville, Maryland, the truck recently served food to children at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Once the truck arrived at campus, a long line formed. Rhonda Summey Hester, principal of Rosa Parks Elementary School, said the truck has a major impact on the school. “It’s something our families don’t have to think about when they come here every Thursday, and they are able to get a meal and not have to worry about the next meal, ” Hester said. “They can push it a little later.”

Joel Bassam with Easterns Automotive Group was touched by Sonny’s mission to feed children. That’s why 7News Helping Hands surprised Sonny with a donation that will go a long way.

“When we learned about SevaTruck, we had to get involved. It is a truly amazing organization in the way that you are mobile, going where the need is and feeding those in need. You couldn’t do anything better with your time and your efforts,” Bassam said. “We want to support you in your efforts to continue to help feeding those that need it by donating $2,000 to your cause. Continue making lives better, it’s truly an amazing cause.”

Upon receiving the donation, Sonny was astonished and grateful and shared that this donation can buy 1,000 meals.

“This is a community responsibility, not just for me,” Kakar explained. “This is about kids having meals so they can have a productive life.”