October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month?and many victims have been struggling with their abusers during the pandemic.? Things have not been easy for them as getting out and going to work was something many victims looked forward to.? Social media has really begun to shine a slight on domestic abuse for people to have an open and honest conversation about what people go through behind closed doors.

There are a number of organizations that specialize in assisting domestic violence against women.? One in particular is I Support the Girls, a Washington D.C. metro area non-profit founded by Dana Marlowe.? This organization understands that victims usually need underwear and hygiene products after fleeing a domestic relationship.? Marlowe created D.A.S.H (dignity, aid, security, and hygiene) kits for women who are in these situations.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group came together to highlight I Support the Girls on their Pay It Forward segment.? Maureen Umeh of Fox 5?s Good Day DC had the chance to visit Marlowe and chat with her about the organization.? Umeh played Marlowe a short video from Joel Bassam of Easterns.? Bassam announced the donation of $1,000 in underwear, bras, and menstrual products to help with the D.A.S.H kits.? If you know of any survivors or would like to learn more? about I Support the Girls get involved, please visit www.isupportthegirls.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/hpFSH3ZUfts

There is so much uncertainty in the world due to the long-lasting effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.? Millions of families have been affected by job loss and are struggling to make it and put food on the table.? Local food banks and pantries have stepped up to help provide as much food as possible.? However, they have seen a decline in donations making it hard to serve all of the families in need.

St. Anne?s Episcopal Church in Damascus, Maryland stepped up to the plate when the pandemic first hit in March to assist families.? They have been able to feed numerous families with the help of their neighbors and the donations received from local organizations like Manna.? In the beginning, they were only thinking this would be a short term thing.? Nobody had a clue that the pandemic would last nearly a year and only get worse as the months went on.

Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group got wind of the amazing work that St. Anne?s Episcopal Church was doing in the community and decided to pay them a visit.? Marrisa Mitchell, the new host of Good Day DC was able to chat with Cindy Lippet, a volunteer for St. Anne?s that has been helping out with the fox boxes.? She let everyone know that they are always in need of food and donations to keep their operation going.? It was then that Joel Bassam joined their zoom call to announce that he would Pay It Forward on behalf of Easterns. Bassam donated $2,000 to help them purchase fresh meat and produce.? This money will go a long way on their journey to help feed as many families as possible.? If you would like to learn more about St. Anne?s Episcopal Church ? find donation times or volunteer information, 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.

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/0R-8ImGy7Ow

September was a busy month!? Schools across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area were officially back in session.? However, this wasn?t the typical exciting back to school time.? Things have changed greatly since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.? Many if not all students are learning virtually but one thing that hasn?t changed is the need for school supplies.

Grace Rivera-Oven created the Upcounty Consolidation Hub, a nonprofit food bank that provides school supplies, food boxes, and COVID-19 kits for those in need throughout Montgomery County.? The need began during the start of the pandemic as she began serving 800 families each week.? However, that number grew due to the number of people that needed help.? The trailer park that Rivera-Oven began serving families out of started to become too small to accommodate all her supplies and the families that we coming to her.? It was then that she asked her friend Lynn Arndt, CEO of the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Gaithersburg, Maryland is she could use some of their space.? The two have come together to create a magical hub for people to bring donations and volunteers to help pack the boxes and care packages.

The Pay It Forward team along with Easterns Automotive Group saw the hard work that they were putting in and decided to step in to help.? The team set it up and the camera crew went to visit the Upcounty Consolidation Hub at BlackRock Center for the Arts.? Holly Morris of Good Day DC on Fox 5 joined the two women via satellite to provide a platform for the women to discuss their incredible work in the community.? It was then that Joel Bassam of Easterns appeared on the screen to surprise them with a $1,500 donation to continue their work in Montgomery County.? There are plenty of ways to get involved and support this incredible nonprofit food bank.? Please click here to learn more about Upcounty Consolidation Hub ? there are options to donate, volunteer, and be a partner of the organization.

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/SDbJt7W-Vms

A Washington D.C. teacher by the name of Carmen Garner turned his childhood pain and trauma into his purpose. Garner grew up in the District where it wasn’t safe to go outside because of gun violence. His cousin’s boyfriend used to take him finishing to escape the madness. It was during that time when he got inspired to create a better life for himself.

Fast-forward to now being an adult, Garner sees his students residing in the same areas of Washington where he grew up. He even discovered a memorial for a homicide victim during the visit to one of his students. This pain of being stuck in the apartment and not being able to simply go outside was devastating and he didn’t want another child to have to suffer through it. During the pandemic, Garner received a stimulus check like many other Americans but its what he did with it that separates him from most.

Garner created the Inner City Anglers nonprofit organization that allows him to take struggling children from the city and take them on fishing trips to provide a sense of escape. Many of these children do not know what it’s like to go on a vacation. These small outings show them that there is so much more in life than what they see every day. Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC caught wind of Garner’s work and decided to feature him on their Pay It Forward segment. During the Zoom video call with Fox 5’s Holly Morris, Joel Bassam of Easterns surprised Garner with the news that he was donating $1,500 on behalf of Easterns. These funds will be used to help pay for fishing gear and lunch for future trips. Please visit www.innercityanglers.com to learn more about ICA and donate to this incredible cause.

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/EenfDlbbCBk

COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on the lives of Americans worldwide.? In the DMV region, in particular, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed leaving hundreds of thousands without jobs during this global pandemic.? In the spirit of giving back, Fox 5 DC and Easterns Automotive Group decided to do something very special for this week?s Pay It Forward.

With so many feeling the impact of job loss by coronavirus, the Pay It Forward crew decided to partner with local photographer Samira Rashid and Creative Saints Loft in Hyattsville, Maryland.? They set up an entire day where they provided free headshots to people to help them relaunch their careers. ?Ishmael Wilson of Fresh Dry Cleaners chatted with Bob Barnard of Fox 5 DC about losing about 85% of their customers because of the pandemic.? People are not getting their clothes dry cleaned as much as before because the majority of them are working from home.

Easterns Automotive Group was happy to partner with Fox 5 DC to curate this amazing event. The smiles in the room were priceless because this small gesture meant the world to those that were there.? People were able to dress up and feel good about themselves again.? It also gave them the boost of confidence that they need to go out there and find another opportunity. ?Joel Bassam of Easterns paid for the venue as well as new headshots for 15 people.? Giving back is necessary ? even if it?s not much. Everyone can their part!

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.

As you all know, businesses all across the county have been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.? Many have had to shut down completely while some chose to operate by appointment only basis with a limited staff.? Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Maryland was a business that was down but is back up and running.? Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC decided to head over to their center in Derwood and surprise them for their reopening.

They have been closed during the pandemic to the public but the work for them hasn?t stopped.? Their team has continued to rescue animals and provide emergency care when needed as the only open-admission municipal shelter in Montgomery County.

Fox 5 DC?s Mike Thomas caught up with Deputy Executive Director Lex Lepiarz and she let him in on a great deal of information.? According to Lepiarz, the community has been a great support system during the COVID-19 pandemic.? They have been able to send many animals to foster care while still being able to admit animals in their facility.? Her only hope is that the community continues to show the same support as they reopen.

Lepiarz was shocked as Thomas spoke to Joel Bassam of Easterns on a video call.? Bassam announced that they were going to Pay It Forward by encouraging people to ?Clear the Shelter? and adopt pets by paying the adoption fees of the first 50 people who choose to provide homes for dogs and cats.? This incentive will be a great help as many people may want to adopt but just don?t have the funds right now.? If you would like to learn more about Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center and their adoption process, 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.

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Watch the video to see the way everything unfolded.

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/_mkeP44_R1k

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-animal-services-and-adoption-center-reopens-for-adoptions

In the last Pay It Forward from Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC, they chose to highlight an organization that works with young students.? However, older students were impacted as well by the economic effects of COVID-19 pandemic.? High school seniors in particular who worked hard all four years were robbed of a pivotal point of their life, which is graduation.? Many students across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area were left to celebrate online by having virtual graduations amongst their peers, family, and friends on Zoom.

There is a movement taking the internet by storm called ?Adopt a Senior?.? High school graduates have been sharing their stories via Facebook by posting their academic achievements and ask for donations to kick off their upcoming college costs.? People can then ?adopt? them and meet the needs of their requests.

Easterns Automotive Group has been in the business of giving back for over 30+ years since they first got into the business.? The Bassam?s believe that is extremely important to be generous and help out the community that has embraced and supported them over time.? There were 4 seniors that stood out to the Easterns and Fox 5 DC team ? Mikyle Gregory, Ar?Dinay Blocker, Austin Jones, and Milcah Habteselasie.? All four of them have faced many hardships over the past few months but kept pushing and never gave up.? Allison Seymour of Good Day DC on Fox 5 invited all four of these students to join her and Joel Bassam of Easterns on Zoom call.? The students were able to discuss their success and hardships with the Fox 5 DC audience but were also gifted a surprise courtesy of Bassam.? Bassam surprised these students by letting them know that they had been adopted by Easterns and that each of them would be receiving a $500 Amazon gift card.? Times are tough right now but hopefully, these gift cards can help cover some of their small expenses like decorating their dorm rooms, etc.? Each of these high school seniors has an incredible drive and will be a tremendous success in the future.

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/9r4luqgCBSQ

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-adopt-a-senior-program-helps-amid-pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it for everyone around the world. Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC have been working to highlight and donate to people in need through their Pay It Forward campaign. Over the past few months, they have given back to essential/frontline workers, hospital staff, and doctors + nurses. However, there is one group that they have yet to highlight which is children. Kids aren?t always the first that come to mind but they too have been severely impacted by coronavirus. They went from attending school every day, playing sports, and seeing their friends to being homebound. Students started to take classes online which is completely different. Adapting to remote learning can be difficult especially for those that may have learning disabilities.

Tailwags and Bookbags is a Washington D.C. based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the educational, emotional, and social well-being of students providing highly trained assistance dogs and handlers to schools. They have a Labrador Retriever facility service dog named Bingo that the students love working with. Prior to COVID-19, Karin Hemphill of Tailwags and Bookbags would take Bingo to classrooms as a support system to students. They?ve since had to make home visits to students with a statewide lockdown in effect and schools closed.

Although Bingo is a great help, the organization is in need of another K9 to help them meet the needs of all the students during this busy summer. Fox 5 DC cameras met Hemphill and Bingo and they were joined by Allison Seymour of Fox 5 DC via satellite. Easterns Automotive Group got word of their incredible work in the community and decided to help out. Hemphill received a surprise visit from Sarah Bassam, wife of Easterns CEO Robert Bassam along with her son Ameen. Mrs. Bassam presented Hemphill with a $7,000 check for Tagwails and Bookbags to help them cover the cost of a new service facility dog. Bingo has visited Ameen?s school before so they have a personal connection to this cause. If you would like to learn more about Tailwags and Bookbags and their wonderful work, please visit www.tailwags.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.

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Watch the video to see the way everything unfolded.

YouTube Link ? https://youtu.be/BiaAqK1gJvk

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/pay-it-forward-assistance-dogs-provide-children-with-emotional-support

Easterns Automotive Group and Fox 5 DC have both been hard at work since COVID-19 hit the DMV region. The pair created a new segment called Virtual Hugs for Heroes under their Pay It Forward umbrella. The purpose of this was to highlight and give back to the frontline employees that still have to work through this pandemic. Coronavirus has certainly impacted everyone in negative ways, but several positives have come out of it too. This has given many a new perspective on things that are important in life and brought the community closer together during such an unknown time.

In celebration of hard-working men and women on the frontlines across the DMV, both Easterns and Fox 5 DC wanted to put a spotlight on a special group of individuals. They chose to recognize 911 dispatchers at the McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center in Fairfax, Virginia. These are the people that we call to talk us through an emergency and send immediate help. With so many people dying and getting ill from coronavirus, many of these dispatchers are working around the clock. Working 12-hour shifts is certainly no easy task especially in the middle of a pandemic.

The Pay It Forward team wanted to show these dispatchers their appreciation for the hard work that they continue to put in. Easterns Automotive Group purchased lunch for the entire dispatch team from Choong Man Chicken in Fairfax, VA. It was important to them every dispatcher receives a hot meal because nutrition is extremely important especially while working those long hours. The wonderful owner of Choong Man Chicken donated 500 PPE bundles to the dispatch team as well. As an organization, the staff at McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center remains dedicated to helping people in need. They are working with Communities of Trust to collect items for families. If you or someone you know would like to help this cause, please visit www.communitiesoftrust.com

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/rPI_zzQd1PI

Link to original post ? https://www.fox5dc.com/news/community-comes-together-to-provide-free-meals-for-911-dispatchers