Easterns Automotive Group has partnered with 7 News on this Helping Hands to support Leveling the Playing, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing sports equipment to students in the DMV.

Max Levitt, the founder of Leveling the Playing Field, has been helping P.E. Teachers across the region with sports equipment to ensure that no child is left out for ten years now. He expressed his passion for this cause, stating, “So many kids out there are not being given that opportunity. It is given so much to so many people, and the fact that socioeconomics plays a role in something that I think every kid should have the experience with.”

Max Levitt, highlighted the impact of removing financial barriers for families. “We have had many programs where we have seen participation increase specifically because the cost of equipment was removed as a barrier for families that just would have said no way,” said Levitt. “They get the lacrosse and they don’t have to spend $3,000 we are going to provide that for you, it’s more doable for families.”

Roger Garris, an athletics employee at Walker Mill Middle School in Prince George’s County, Md., emphasized the need for sports equipment in schools. “With most schools – you have kids that cannot afford things so Leveling the Playing Field helps them out with cleats and socks,” said Garris. “All of the things parents can’t afford.” Donation bins placed strategically across the region are making it easy for communities to get involved and provide students with the chance to experience the positive impact of sports.

By supporting Leveling the Playing Field, Easterns Automotive Group aims to champion the idea that every child deserves the chance to play, learn, and grow through the transformative power of sports.

The post Helping Hands: Leveling the Playing Field appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

At Easterns, we’re committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Our latest collaboration through the 7News Helping Hands initiative brings us closer to The Linner Foundation—a beacon of hope in Southeast D.C.

Oliver Linner Roy, the foundation’s founder, is on a mission to combat youth violence and uplift the community. Starting with a focus on supporting dads with children with disabilities, The Linner Foundation has grown to include The Family First Resource Center in Ward 8. Oliver aims to provide essential programs, from job readiness to domestic violence prevention, to empower residents.

In early 2023, despite financial challenges, The Linner Foundation’s team has hit the ground running, addressing the urgent need for positive activities and job opportunities for the youth. Oliver envisions a future where the foundation not only provides resources but the right resources tailored to each family.

To amplify their impact, 7News and Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group have extended a 7News Helping Hand. This support will assist The Linner Foundation in spreading awareness, reaching families in need, and offering additional support services for the youth.

As part of our commitment to community well-being, we’re actively involved in Oliver’s vision for the next six months—an aggressive campaign to curb youth violence. While challenges persist, we stand united in our efforts to make a lasting difference.

Stay tuned for updates as we work together with The Linner Foundation to foster positive change and uplift the spirits of our neighbors. #EasternsCares #CommunityPartnership #TheLinnerFoundation”

The post Helping Hands: The Linner Foundation appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

In the heart of Fairfax County, a local initiative is sowing the seeds of community nourishment. Stacey Evers, the visionary behind Hands On Harvests, launched this Northern Virginia nonprofit in response to the pandemic’s heightened food insecurity. Founded in May 2020, this grassroots movement aims to tackle hunger by providing fresh produce to food banks across Fairfax County.

The inspiration behind Hands On Harvests emerged from the dramatic spike in food demand during the pandemic. Stacey Evers, who also serves on the Fairfax Food Council Steering Committee, recognized the urgency to address the 400% increase in need. Evers knew that ensuring access to fresh and nutritious food was crucial for the community’s well-being.

The organization’s impact is felt not just in the increase of gardens flourishing across apartment complexes, but also in the lives they touch. Evers explains that each 4×8 plot is nurtured by local residents, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. With a growing waitlist and plans for two new community gardens, Hands On Harvests continues to expand its reach.

Yet, Hands On Harvests is more than just a garden project. In the past year, they supplied over 20,000 pounds of produce to 26 local food banks. Their commitment to addressing the needs of Fairfax County is unwavering.

Recognizing the significant work of Hands On Harvests, Easterns Automotive Group partnered with 7News to extend a Helping Hand. Joel Bassam, representing Easterns, highlighted the organization’s holistic approach and dedication to community development. “We want to donate $2,200 to your cause so that you can continue to help people gain life skills and do amazing things in the community,” Bassam affirmed.

Stacey Evers expressed her gratitude for the donation, envisioning the ways in which it could enhance Hands On Harvests’ impact. She acknowledged the profound significance of the contribution, emphasizing its potential to drive positive change.

Beyond community gardens, Hands On Harvests is also nurturing future generations’ connections with farming and agriculture through innovative programs. As the organization continues to cultivate fresh produce and hope, its dedication to uplifting the Fairfax County community remains steadfast.

The post Helping Hands: Hands on Harvest appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

Every week in Montgomery County, the non-profit So What Else feeds thousands of meals to feed others, but now they are forced to move as Lake Forest Mall closes. Since starting this initiative at the beginning of the pandemic, they have given 30 million meals to those in need.

Now that they have to shut down and relocate, they are worried about still being able to help those in need because they have not solidified a new location. Their current rent is $1,000, and the new places they have discovered are priced around $12,000 a month, an increase they cannot afford.

Joel Bassam joined with a virtual message to surprise them with a helping hand. So What Else is doing amazing things helping those who need it most, and Easterns Automotive Group was honored to donate $2,200 towards their initiative. Allie and Megan were so excited and shared that this would help with rent and moving costs for their new space.

The post Helping Hands: So What Else appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

A small act of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day. On Random Acts of Kindness Day Easterns Automotive Group teamed up with ABC 7 during this Helping hands to surprise random people with gift cards.

Many were caught off-guard by the random gift and responded with great appreciation.

“You made a very stressful week that much better,” one person said.
One person laughed and said, “You guys just made my day.”
Another said, “Thank you so much, this is my lunch money!”

More than $2,000 worth of gift cards were handed out by the 7 News team in Virginia. Joel Bassam from Easterns Automotive Group loved the gesture of kindness, saying, “There’s no wrong way to give back.

The post Helping Hands – Random Acts of Kindness appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

Operation Understanding has been giving back to the community for the past 30 years now. The nonprofit brings students together to fight racism, antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.

“A very important part of the program is the emotional component, difficult discussions addressing tough issues and being honest with each other,” says Daniel Nathan, President of OUDC. “The students create a sense of community, and these are 24 students with a very diverse background.”

Youth from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) are brought together by the nonprofit to empower a generation of social justice leaders by promoting respect, understanding, and cooperation.

“Still focused on anti-racism and anti-Semitism, which is still very important, we are looking at other oppressed minorities,” Nathan said. “We are looking at Asian-Pacific Islanders and anti-Muslim and LGBTQ+.”

Karim Marshall, an active board member, is an alum of the program from the ’90s.

“We have expanded the program to explicitly include all communities because we know that in order for us to make meaningful social changes and build coalitions, we need to make sure that everybody is at the table,” Marshall said.

Amazed by the awesome work that Operation Understanding is doing Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group wanted to surprise Operation Understanding DC with a 7 News Helping Hand.

“Operation Understanding DC has been doing amazing work for almost 30 years. Leading change, strengthening identity, and exploring history is such a beautiful mission. The way that you have been able to promote respect and cooperation by fighting discrimination of all forms is a beautiful mission that we want to support. We are donating $2,200 to your cause so you can keep helping those who need it most.”

Nathan expressed that the donation would benefit the nonprofit in a variety of ways such as paying staff and meals for students.

The post Helping Hands: Operation Understanding appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

Coach Spyke Henry has been pouring into the kids of the Washington D.C. community for the past 30 years through his non-profit S.A.F.E. DC. In 1993, he founded the nonprofit to provide affordable tennis and education programs to the youth in his community.

His eyes light up when he talks about his students’ success. Recently, a student of his had the opportunity to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain.

“Going to Spain, that was phenomenal, and last year we had a kid that won a full-ride scholarship to Brown University,” Henry shared.

“I want to congratulate S.A.F.E. for over 30 years of helping individuals and kids throughout the inner cities with amazing tennis programs to enrich their lives,” Bassam said. “We want to help you continue that tradition by donating $2,200 to your cause so you can keep supporting those who need it the most. Keep doing the amazing work you are doing.”

Henry greatly appreciated the surprise donation and said it would be helpful for tennis gear.

“This means we can have more tennis rackets and tennis parties. We can have more kids involved, and what we have been trying to do is get uniforms,” Henry expressed.

The post Helping Hands: S.A.F.E. DC appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

Inclusive Pathways to Success (IPS), founded by a Fairfax County mother, provides new skills and opportunities for differently abled students.

Naina Chernoff has a 16-year-old son that is autistic, and during the pandemic, she was concerned about his career prospectsNaina started the nonprofit to help teach young adults trade skills such as carpentry and woodworking, eventually transitioning to a career. The nonprofit offers students customized training that is paced for people with autism spectrum disorder, severe ADHD, learning disabilities, and mild intellectual impairment.

“I think I represent a population of parents who live at the mercy of other people’s kindness and empathy,” Chernoff explained. “I want to model the fact that our population of students are capable if we give them the right training and the right tools.”

Easterns Automotive Group’s Joel Bassam saw the great work IPS was doing and surprised them with a 7News Helping Hand.

“Inclusive Pathways to Success seems like an amazing organization, helping those young adults with varying disabilities to build their skill sets and hopefully find employment. We want to help you support those young adults by donating $2,200 to your cause to continue to help them out,” Bassam said.

Chernoff says more funds are still needed for a successful launch of their full-time program they hope to start in September 2023. They are still searching for a space to have by then, so the donation from Easterns Automotive Group couldn’t have come at a better time.

The post Helping Hands: Inclusive Pathways to Success appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

Mario and Sharday Richardson lost their four-year-old daughter, Moriah, to brain cancer. The Richardsons’ wanted to give back to others experiencing the same thing, so they created the Forever Moriah Foundation.

They called it the forever Moriah foundation to give back and as a way for her name to live on forever. “I always want to have her memories to live on,” Sharday said, holding a picture of Moriah. “She’s not able to celebrate Christmas, but to have me, my husband, and family continue to give back in her honor – her name will literally live on forever. That’s why it’s the Forever Moriah Foundation.”

They work tirelessly to support children undergoing treatment for cancer. Every year they have a toy drive where they collect toys and donate them to the Ronald McDonald houses and the children’s hospitals in the area. It’s not just toys; they go above and beyond year-round, helping families make memories and give back financially.

Amazed by their work to help other families, we wanted to surprise Forever Moriah Foundation with a helping hand. Joel Bassam joined with a special message for Sharday and Mario.

“Unfortunately, it feels like cancer has touched everyone’s lives in one way or another, and the way that your family has turned loss into helping others [who are] fighting this incredibly difficult battle is amazing. We want to help you continue to help those who are going through such a difficult time by donating $2,200 to your cause so you can continue to bring joy to those families who are fighting cancer in such a difficult way. Thank you!”

The Richardsons were overwhelmed with gratitude by this surprise donation. Holding back tears, Sharday expressed how much it means to her and their foundation to continue to give back to others.

The post Helping Hands: Forever Moriah Foundation appeared first on Easterns Automotive.

Jude Adler is a student from Fairfax County that is helping to feed those in need in his community. The 16-year-old launched a nonprofit called “Mummies for Mouths” that uses repurposed glass jars and turns them into mummy decorations using tape and eyes.

Adler, his classmates, and the community helped to create the mummy decorations and raise money to feed those in need since 2021.

“When we first broke $1,000, that was mind-blowing, and now here we are at $16,000 over two years,” Adler shared. His organization became an official local nonprofit after all their hard work, allowing them to help in many other ways. “We’re donating to multiple service organizations, and we can play a much larger role by applying for discounts at local stores,” Adler said.

On this 7 News Helping Hands, Joel Bassam with Easterns Automotive Group wanted to meet Adler in person because he had a surprise for “Mummies for Mouths.”

“We heard about your story and wanted to support you by donating $2,200 to your cause so you can keep feeding those in need,” Bassam said.

After receiving their surprise donation, Adler allowed Bassam to pick his mummy decoration from his collection.

The post Helping Hands: Mummies for Mouths appeared first on Easterns Automotive.