Easterns Blog

The winter months are tough for the homeless of the DC metro area. With low temperatures and lack of shelter, it can be quite difficult for homeless people to enjoy the holiday season. WUSA 9 and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up to recognize a wonderful nonprofit that is going above and beyond to help the homeless of the community. The 25th Project was created by Jay Herriott of northern Virginia back in 2002 during Thanksgiving. Both he and his family helped give holiday meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas to homeless people living under bridges in Washington D.C. It was then that he realized that most homeless people aren?t helped during the rest of the year.
They started very small in the beginning by giving away 14 meals. However, The 25th Project has grown so much since then that they give away free meals during the 25th day of each month. This is equivalent to 1,000 meals each year thanks to the help of family, friends, and other organizations that come together to pitch in. If anything, Herroitt?s passion should inspire others to see what they can really accomplish with one small idea. The topic of homelessness truly hits home for him because he was very close to losing his own home at one point.
Reese Waters of WUSA 9?s Get Up DC met with Herroitt at Cookology?s Ballston Quarter location for a wonderful surprise. Waters presented Herroitt with a $1,000 check for The 25th Project courtesy of Easterns Automotive Group. This money will be used to help their tremendous Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meal efforts. Please visit www.the25thproject.org to learn more about their upcoming events and how you too can donate or get involved.

If you know someone in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area that is worthy of being helped or recognized, please contact at @ReeseWaters on social media. #GetUpDC #GetUpGiveBack