Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Acts #1 to #15
In July, we chose to celebrate our 75th Anniversary by conducting Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness in the community. Our goal was to build overall goodwill, celebrate servanthood, and show the value of being rooted in the communities where we do business. As we approached the finish line for our ambitious goal, our hearts are filled with gratitude.
We feel gratitude for the opportunity to show the magic of infusing kindness into corporate culture. And we feel gratitude for the countless community members who cheered us on and reinforced our belief that we all have a role to play in building a better community together. Plus we feel gratitude for seeing the growth of our team members, as they showcased their talents and passions and learned of different ways to connect and serve the community going forward. But overall we feel gratitude for having walked alongside the armies of selfless volunteers that work relentlessly every day to make our communities better. After all, we will see each other again, and when we do, we want everyone to feel good about the community we are building together.
Some of Our Acts Were Simple. Some of Our Acts Required a Lot of Effort. All of Them Were Important
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #1: Raised Awareness For The 2 For 2 Foundation
Date: Friday, July 1st, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company, Tri-State Nissan, & Marlow Ford
Employees Pictured: Wendy Conlon, Yancy Umana, & Emma Lutz
As our first act for our Malow 75 Acts of Kindness, we helped raise awareness for the 2 For 2 Foundation. Specifically by displaying lawn signs at all 3 of our locations. The 2 For 2 Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization. It has a primary goal of developing and maintaining swim & ice skating facilities and providing athletic, educational and recreational centers for the community. The 2 for 2 concepts came from a local group of mostly retired educators that give volunteer support to community projects. After reviewing research done by Frederick County Parks and Recreation and the group’s own research in Winchester City (WC), the top choices from the feedback in both communities were to create swim and ice-skating centers for their kids and their kids’ kids. Learn more about them at https://2for2foundation.org/.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #2: Organized a “Fill The Truck” Food Drive
Date: Friday, July 1st, 2022
Location: Tri-State Nissan
Employees Pictured: Jeremy Seibert, Jerry Yahner, Chris Malone, & Daniel Hargrove
For our second Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness, we organized a “Fill The Truck’ food drive for the Winchester Rescue Mission. They strive to end homelessness in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. The Center for Men and Center for Women house individuals experiencing homelessness. Not only does each resident receive shelter, clothing, and meals but also assistance through our case-managed programs with a goal of life transformation. The Food Distribution Program provides free boxes of food for those hungry and struggling in our community to prepare meals at home. Free meals are distributed to anyone in need who is hungry; 365 days a year. Learn more about them at https://www.winrescue.org/. Most important a SPECIAL THANKS to our community partners who each “JOINED THE MOVEMENT“ by hosting a food drive at their place of business.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #3: Organized a “Fill The Truck” Book Drive
Date: Friday, July 1st, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company
Employees Pictured: Ed Sullivan, Alan Larios & Angel Payne
We organized a “Fill The Truck” book drive for the Literacy Volunteers of America. Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area is a 37-year-old education nonprofit focused on strengthening our community through literacy, education, and advocacy. Offering adults one-on-one and small group classes in English, Reading, Writing, Citizenship, and Computers allowing them with leading the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. They also are the stewards of the Winchester Little Libraries. With over 13 little Libraries of books around the community for anyone to grab a book or leave a book, as well as a nonprofit partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that sends any child from birth to age 5 a free book a month. Learn more about them at https://lvwa.org/about/. Most important a SPECIAL THANKS to our community partner who “JOINED THE MOVEMENT“ by hosting a book drive at their place of business.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #4: Helped With Landscaping at the Winchester Rescue Mission
Date: Wednesday, July 6th, 2022
Location: Tri-State Nissan
Employees Pictured: Brian Nieves & Greg Strosnider
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart”
For the 4th Act of our 75 Acts of Kindness, Marlow Auto Group Marketing Director Brian Nieves and Used Car Director Greg Strosnider volunteered their time to help clean up and mow 
the grass at the Winchester Rescue Mission new facility on Valley Ave. A key point about the Winchester Rescue Mission is in 2021 they had to turn away more than 475 individuals and families experiencing or facing homelessness due to a lack of capacity. Therefore the Winchester Rescue Mission is committed to ending homelessness in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. The current facilities are land-locked, lack expansion capability and are above capacity, As a result, they are expanding their programs, staff, and facilities. Right now there’s someone in need. You can help them. Learn more about them and volunteer to help at https://www.winrescue.org/.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Acts #5, #6 & #7: Surprised the Staff at a Few Local Competitors with Some Tasty Snacks
Date: Wednesday, July 6th, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company, Tri-State Nissan & Marlow Ford
Employees Pictured: Kyle Dulapa, Angel Payne, Vlad Stanisavljevic, Eddie Davis & J.W. Painter
For Acts number 5, 6 & & 7, we surprised the employees at a few local competitors with some tasty snacks. On this occasion, we wanted to show our appreciation by giving them an unexpected reason to smile. Unquestionably random acts of kindness can lift up anyone’s spirits, with some small but selfless acts. Above all a big thanks to Kyle, Angel, Vlad, Eddie & J.W. for all volunteering some time from their day to purchase and deliver some snacks to their local competition. After all, we will meet again, and when we do, we want everyone to feel good about the community we are building together. #Marlow75ActsOfKindness – Let’s Build a Better Community Together
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Acts #8, #9 & #10: Holding The Door Open for Everyone All Day
Date: Thursday, July 7th, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company, Tri-State Nissan & Marlow Ford
Although it is such a small act of kindness, it was very important. For Acts number #8, #9 & #10, our entire staff held doors open all day. Not only at our dealerships but also at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants – everywhere. For instance, you never know what someone is going through. It’s important to realize that any act of kindness could help. Holding a door open – whether they’re carrying something heavy or are just walking towards the door can make a big difference. For the person holding the door open, it can give you a sense of happiness and the rewarding feeling that you’re helping someone. For the person going through the door, it can make them look up to you more positively and can make them feel appreciated. In other words, small acts are extremely important.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Acts #11, #12 & #13: Buying Random Strangers a Cup of Coffee
Date: Friday, July 8th, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company, Tri-State Nissan & Marlow Ford
Employees Pictured: Alan Larios, John Stottemeyer, Ride Bennet & Jennifer Rines
“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life”
Undeniably, Acts #11, #12 & #13 – felt wonderful. Coffee is good, but free coffee is great. Sales Consultants Alan Larios and John Stottemeyer from Marlow Motor Company in Front Royal stopped by their local Handy Mart and purchase 10 random strangers a cup of coffee. At the same time, Service Advisor Ridge Bennett from Tri-State Nissan did the same for random strangers in Winchester. Not only did we purchase coffee in Front Royal & Winchester, but also in Luray. Our Office Manager Jennifer Rines took time out of her day to purchase a few local Luray residents some coffee at the local Dunkin Donuts. We can certainly all agree that we all work in a very special community. Marlow 75 Acts Of Kindness – Celebrating 75 Years of Serving Our Community. After all, we will meet again, and when we do, we want everyone to feel good about the community we are building together.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Acts #14 Helped Out a Front Royal Resident
Date: Friday, July 8th, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company
Employees Pictured: Shawn Brown
“Good Exercise For The Heart: Reach Out And Help Your Neighbor”
Act#14 was very special to us. From the beginning, the Marlow Auto Group has maintained firm roots in the Front Royal community, and this act of kindness proved it. This was when we started seeing the difference our Acts of Kindness were making in our community. As a result of our social media post, a local Front Royal resident saw all the Acts of Kindness we were doing in our community. She needed help and we were ready to help our neighbor. She had just purchased a sectional and not only needed someone to pick it up for her but also needed to dispose of her old sectional. After telling her story to our team, Shawn Brown and Chris Walker from our Parts Department volunteered to help that same day. Without a doubt, this was one of our favorite acts.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #15 Organized a “Fill The Truck” Cleaning Supply Drive
Date: Friday, July 8th, 2022
Location: Marlow Ford
Employees Pictured: Anthony Lineweaver, Eddie Davis, Emma Lutz, Rob Stombock & JW Painter
“This is our community and our United Way. Our voices, our hands, and our hearts make a difference”
For Act #15 we organized a “Fill The Truck” Cleaning Supply Drive“ for the United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Since 1946 the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has worked to impact the community human care needs that matter most. Specifically to the people of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah Counties, and the City of Winchester. In summary, the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has been fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our region. Above all, they are making the valley a better place, one life at a time. Learn more about them at https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/. And most important a SPECIAL THANKS to our community partner who organized and sent in donations of cleaning supplies.
