Tag Archives: Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward: deMANDAcure

Community,

A local nonprofit is turning personal loss into a lasting legacy of kindness, one book at a time.

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back to the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do. Through our continued partnership with FOX 5 DC and the Pay It Forward initiative, we’re proud to recognize local organizations making a meaningful difference.

This time, we’re shining the spotlight on Demand a Cure, Inc., a Maryland-based nonprofit honoring the life and legacy of Amanda Shea Wilkins by supporting families affected by cancer.

Turning Grief Into a Mission of Giving

Demand a Cure was inspired by Amanda Shea Wilkins, a devoted mother and nurse who faced her own battle with cancer.

During her final days, Amanda’s family received books to help her young daughter, Madison, understand and cope with her mother’s illness. Recognizing how valuable these resources were, Amanda wanted other families facing similar challenges to have access to the same support.

Following Amanda’s passing on June 11, 2019, her family made it their mission to continue her legacy of compassion and generosity.

Today, Demand a Cure has distributed more than 5,000 books to local cancer centers, doctors’ offices, chemotherapy and radiation treatment facilities, and counseling departments throughout Calvert County Public Schools.

These books provide comfort, understanding, and support to children and families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments.

Supporting the Next Generation of Caregivers

Amanda’s passion for helping others extended beyond her family. As a nurse, she dedicated her life to caring for people, and her loved ones wanted to ensure that dedication continued.

Through the Amanda Shea Wilkins Memorial Scholarship Fund, Demand a Cure supports students pursuing careers in healthcare at the Calvert County Technology Academy, Amanda’s alma mater.

Last year alone, the organization awarded five $3,000 scholarships to aspiring caregivers, helping the next generation of healthcare professionals follow in Amanda’s footsteps.

The nonprofit also brings the community together through its annual Magnolia Market, a fall celebration featuring local vendors, food trucks, music, family activities, and more. The event recently celebrated its fifth year with more than 90 vendors participating.

Easterns Automotive Group and FOX 5 Give Back

During a special FOX 5 Pay It Forward segment in Benedict, Maryland, Easterns Automotive Group and FOX 5 surprised Demand a Cure with a $2,200 donation to support its ongoing mission.

The emotional presentation highlighted the tremendous impact that a small group of dedicated individuals can have on an entire community.

Representatives from Demand a Cure shared that the donation will help fund future scholarships and purchase additional books for families in need.

Their mission remains simple: continue spreading kindness, supporting others, and bringing light to families experiencing difficult times.

Continuing Amanda’s Legacy

What began as one mother’s desire to help her daughter has grown into a community-wide effort to make sure families never feel alone during their cancer journey.

Through books, scholarships, fundraising events, and the generosity of supporters, Demand a Cure continues to transform grief into hope.

At Easterns Automotive Group, we’re honored to play a small part in that mission. We’re grateful for organizations like Demand a Cure that remind us how powerful kindness can be.

To learn more about Demand a Cure, make a donation, or support an upcoming event, visit amandashaywilkins.com.

Stay connected with Easterns Automotive Group as we continue recognizing the people and organizations making a difference throughout the DMV through our Pay It Forward partnership with FOX 5 DC.

Pay It Forward: Beautiful As I Am

Community

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back to our community is at the heart of who we are. Through our partnership with Fox 5 DC’s Pay It Forward series, we were honored to highlight the incredible work of Beautiful As I Am, a nonprofit founded by Tamika Williams.

Tamika’s story is one of resilience and transformation. As a child, she was unfairly labeled and told she would never amount to anything. Instead of letting those words define her, she found strength in the support of a village of women who encouraged her to rise above. She went from struggling in school to excelling with a 3.6 GPA in high school and eventually continuing her education in college.

Inspired by her own journey, Tamika created Beautiful As I Am to empower local women and girls to see their worth and reach their full potential. The organization uplifts its community through three impactful programs: a book club, a teen mentoring program, and an adult mentoring program. All of their services are provided free of charge, and they are always looking for more volunteers to help expand their mission.

The future of Beautiful As I Am is bright, as they continue to grow and seek a new building to expand their programs. To support their vision and honor their dedication, Easterns Automotive Group surprised them with a $2,200 donation.

We are inspired by Tamika’s journey and proud to stand alongside organizations like Beautiful As I Am that are changing lives from the inside out.

Pay It Forward: Goodie Girl Bags

Community,

At Easterns Automotive Group, giving back to the community is at the heart of who we are. That’s why we’re proud to partner with FOX5 in their Pay It Forward initiative—spotlighting local heroes making a real difference.

This time, we had the honor of surprising Felicia Biles, Founder and President of Goodie Girl Bags, with a $2,200 donation to help her continue her life-changing work.

Founded in 2016, Goodie Girl Bags is dedicated to serving women facing homelessness by providing personal care items—with dignity. Each bag contains essentials like bras, feminine hygiene products, wipes, and liners, along with handwritten notes of encouragement from volunteers. The organization also supports breast cancer awareness, spreading kindness and compassion through every delivery.

Their outreach stretches from shelters to direct street outreach, meeting women where they are and making sure they feel seen and supported. Many recipients are moved to tears when they receive a bag—proof that the smallest acts of care can have the biggest impact.

Felicia was shocked and grateful when we presented her with our donation, which will help her purchase more inventory and secure a utility vehicle to distribute even more bags throughout the community.

Easterns Automotive Group is honored to support Goodie Girl Bags and their mission to restore dignity, hope, and confidence to women in need. Together, we can make a difference—one bag at a time.

Learn more about Goodie Girl Bags and how you can get involved. Your support can help change lives.

Pay It Forward: The Language Arc

Community,

At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe in building strong, inclusive communities. Through our Pay It Forward partnership with FOX 5 DC, we’re proud to support local leaders who are creating lasting impact — like Londyn Jackson, founder of The Language Arc Learning and Wellness Solutions in Woodbridge, Virginia.

The Language Arc is a nonprofit dedicated to improving communication and connection for neurodivergent children. From therapy services to school partnerships, their work is rooted in understanding and adapting to the unique needs of each child they serve.

Londyn’s inspiration came from a deeply personal place. After watching her cousin navigate life with Tourette’s syndrome and witnessing the challenges her family faced in getting proper support, she felt called to take action.

“I’ve always been around children who need support and need proper support,” she told FOX 5. “I was really motivated to start something that was going to support them in a way that I felt was necessary.”

To help further their mission, we donated $2,200 to The Language Arc. We know that when we invest in the right people and programs, we’re investing in a stronger, more inclusive DMV community.

Thank you, Londyn, for creating a safe space where every child can thrive. We’re honored to support your journey.

Pay It Forward: Surprising Great Vibe Events in Oakton, VA

Community, Uncategorized

At Easterns Automotive Group, community is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why our Pay It Forward partnership with FOX 5 means so much to us. It gives us the chance to lift up organizations making a real impact across the DMV.

Recently, we met the incredible Boone family in Oakton, Virginia. After tragically losing their 3-year-old daughter, who had Down syndrome, to medical complications, they turned their grief into something powerful: Great Vibe Events.

This inspiring program was created to provide a safe, welcoming space for adults 18 and older with disabilities to build community, express themselves, and enjoy life. From social gatherings to inclusive events, Great Vibe Events brings connection and joy to people who are often overlooked.

We were honored to contribute $2,200 to help support their mission and the lives they touch. The Boone family’s strength and compassion remind us of the incredible good that can come from even the most difficult circumstances.

To the Boones and everyone involved in Great Vibe Events, thank you for spreading such powerful energy through our region. We’re proud to stand behind you.

Pay It Forward: Building Bridges Foundation

Community,

At Easterns Automotive Group, community is at the heart of everything we do. Through our ongoing partnership with WTTG Fox 5’s Pay It Forward segment, we have the incredible privilege of shining a light on local organizations making a lasting impact. This month, we had the honor of recognizing Building Bridges Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit serving female trauma survivors.

Founded in 2008 by Marsha Woodland, Building Bridges Foundation was born out of her own experience as a survivor of domestic violence. After facing unimaginable challenges and struggling to find support, Marsha made a commitment: no survivor should have to navigate the road to safety alone. She built Building Bridges to offer trauma-informed services tailored to the unique and complex needs of women who have experienced domestic, community, or interpersonal violence.

Through their programs, Building Bridges Foundation provides not only resources, but also a sense of community and understanding, ensuring that survivors feel seen, heard, and supported by people who truly understand their journeys.

Marsha and her team are also working to break the cycle of violence before it begins by educating youth about teen dating violence. Through their youth programs, they equip young people with the tools to recognize red flags and warning signs early in relationships. By teaching teens about healthy relationships, they’re empowering the next generation to make safe, informed decisions and understand where to turn for help.

Parents also play a critical role in prevention. Marsha encourages families to pay attention to behavioral shifts in their children — such as losing interest in activities they once loved — as potential signs of isolation or unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Marsha and her team are also working to break the cycle of violence before it begins by educating youth about teen dating violence. Through their youth programs, they equip young people with the tools to recognize red flags and warning signs early in relationships. By teaching teens about healthy relationships, they’re empowering the next generation to make safe, informed decisions and understand where to turn for help

Parents also play a critical role in prevention. Marsha encourages families to pay attention to behavioral shifts in their children — such as losing interest in activities they once loved — as potential signs of isolation or unhealthy relationship dynamics.

At Easterns, we believe in investing in organizations that uplift and empower — and Building Bridges Foundation embodies exactly that. We are proud to stand with them as they continue to create a brighter, safer future for women and youth across the DMV.


Pay It Forward – Gas Giveaway

Community,

A group of hospital staff and public safety employees joined us at the Circle Sunoco in Fairfax. To share the love and give back, Fox 5 and Easterns Automotive Group gave away free gas to the first hospital and public safety workers. 

If you know someone who should be featured on Pay It Forward, you can nominate them at wttgpayitforward@fox.com. In your email, be sure to include who they are and why they deserve to be recognized.

Pay It Forward: The Oasis Alliance

Community, Uncategorized,

An organization helps those healing from trauma by transforming interior spaces. The CEO and founder, Danielle, created The Oasis Alliance in 2018 and described it as a combination of art, design, and social work. Community-based partners refer clients needing a space makeover and co-create the spaces together so they can be involved in making decisions. On the day of the transformation, the clients are surprised with their new space after volunteers finish putting it together.

Sierra, a victim of domestic violence who came to the DC area through the foster care system, expressed that them transforming her space gave her hope and encouraged her. When she saw the space, she was overwhelmed with tears of joy.

Amazed by the excellent work the Oasis Alliance is doing to help trauma survivors Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group joined in, surprising them with $2200! The founder, Danielle, was filled with joy and shared that it would help cover a few months of storage and could even cover the cost of an installation.

Pay It Forward: Hustlers Guild

Community, Uncategorized,

The District is seeing an increase in reports of violent crime suspects who are younger and younger. The reports have also prompted one organization to take action. The Hustlers Guild is creating new opportunities for youth through a program that gives them a chance to live their dreams.

One of the co-founders of the Hustlers Guild joined Maureen Umeh to help sharfe more about their new program called “Beyond the Block.” The program connects youth with mentors and take them on field trips to parts of DC that they may not traditionally engage in.

Easterns Automotive Group learned of the awesome things the Hustlers Guild is doing to mentor the youth and wanted to surprise them with something special. We donated $2,000 to go towards their cause.

Pay It Forward: Nurses Appreciation Week

Community,

With compassion and love they helped us get through the worst of the pandemic and have continued to care for our communities in our most vulnerable times. As part of this Pay It Forward, we stopped by the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center to thank nurses for their work.

During nurses appreciation week, we wanted to surprise them with something special. To thank the nursing staff for paying it forward, Easterns Automotive Group sent the them catered meals from Thomas Thyme and Escape Foot Soaks from Naturally London.

If you know someone who should be featured on Pay It Forward, you can nominate them at wttgpayitforward@fox.com. In your email, be sure to include who they are and why they deserve to be recognized.