To kick off our 75 Acts of Kindness, our team raised awareness for the 2 For 2 Foundation by placing lawn signs across all three of our locations in Front Royal, Winchester, and Luray. The 2 For 2 Foundation is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization focused on developing and maintaining swim and ice-skating facilities, while also creating athletic, educational, and recreational opportunities for the community.

The initiative was started by a group of local volunteers, including many retired educators, who are passionate about supporting long-term community development. Through research conducted alongside Frederick County Parks and Recreation and feedback from Winchester residents, one clear need emerged—greater access to swim and ice-skating facilities for families and future generations.

We’re Proud To Support A Vision That Creates Lasting Opportunities For Families Across The Shenandoah Valley

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, our team organized a “Fill The Truck” food drive to support the Winchester Rescue Mission and help address food insecurity in our community. The Winchester Rescue Mission is dedicated to ending homelessness in the Northern Shenandoah Valley by providing shelter, meals, clothing, and long-term support through case-managed programs. Their Center for Men and Center for Women offer individuals a path toward stability and life transformation.

In addition to daily meals served 365 days a year, the organization’s Food Distribution Program provides free boxes of food to individuals and families in need—helping them prepare meals at home and navigate challenging times. This effort was made even stronger through the support of our community partners, who joined the movement by hosting food drives at their own locations—expanding the impact across the region.

We Were Able To Support A Mission That Provides Not Just Food, But Hope, Dignity, And A Path Forward For Those In Need

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, our team organized a “Fill The Truck” book drive to support Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area and help expand access to education throughout our community. Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area is a long-standing nonprofit dedicated to strengthening lives through literacy, education, and advocacy. For more than 35 years, they have provided adults with one-on-one and small group instruction in English, reading, writing, citizenship, and computer skills—empowering individuals with the tools they need to succeed.

Their impact extends beyond the classroom through initiatives like the Winchester Little Libraries, which place books throughout the community for anyone to take or share, and their partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides children from birth to age five with a free book each month.This effort was made possible with the support of our community partner, who joined the movement by hosting a book drive at their own location—helping extend the reach and impact of this initiative.

 A Mission That Promotes Lifelong Learning, Strengthens Families, And Creates Greater Opportunities Across Our Community

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, our team volunteered time to assist with landscaping efforts at the Winchester Rescue Mission’s new facility on Valley Avenue—helping maintain and improve a space dedicated to serving those in need. The Winchester Rescue Mission plays a critical role in supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the Northern Shenandoah Valley. In 2021 alone, the organization was forced to turn away more than 475 individuals due to limited capacity, highlighting the growing need for expanded services and facilities.

To meet this need, the mission is actively working to grow its programs, staff, and physical space—creating more opportunities to provide shelter, meals, and long-term support to those seeking stability and a fresh start. By giving our time and effort, we were proud to support an organization that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many in our community.

Volunteers Do Not Necessarily Have The Time; They Just Have The Heart

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, our team took a different approach—surprising staff at several local competitor dealerships with snacks as a simple way to show appreciation and spread positivity.

In a competitive industry, it’s easy to focus only on business. However, we believe strong communities are built on respect, relationships, and recognizing the people around us—both inside and outside our organization. Through this small but meaningful gesture, our team aimed to create unexpected moments of connection and appreciation—reminding everyone that kindness extends beyond competition. We’re grateful to Kyle, Angel, Vlad, Eddie, and J.W. for taking time out of their day to deliver these moments of encouragement.

We All Share The Same Community—And When We Meet Again, We Want It To Be Built On Mutual Respect And Positivity

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, our teams across all three locations focused on one simple gesture throughout the day—holding the door open for others wherever they went.

Whether at our dealerships, local restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, or other businesses throughout the community, our employees made a conscious effort to slow down, show courtesy, and create small moments of kindness for the people around them.While holding a door may seem like a small act, we believe even the simplest gestures can have a meaningful impact. You never truly know what someone may be going through, and a moment of kindness or consideration can help brighten someone’s day more than we realize. This act also served as a reminder to our own team that kindness is contagious. Small actions create positive interactions, strengthen communities, and help foster a culture built on respect and appreciation for others.

Because Sometimes The Smallest Acts Can Leave The Biggest Impression

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, team members across all three Marlow Auto Group locations spent the day surprising strangers with a simple gesture—buying them a cup of coffee.

At Marlow Motor Company in Front Royal, Sales Consultants Alan Larios and John Stottemeyer visited a local Handy Mart and purchased coffee for ten unsuspecting customers. In Winchester, Tri-State Nissan Service Advisor Ridge Bennett did the same for members of the local community, while Marlow Ford Office Manager Jennifer Rines shared the experience with residents in Luray at Dunkin’.

While the gesture itself was small, the reactions and conversations that followed made a lasting impact. A free cup of coffee may only take a moment, but moments of unexpected kindness can brighten someone’s day in ways we may never fully realize. This act served as a reminder that kindness does not need to be complicated or expensive to make a difference. Sometimes the simplest gestures can create the strongest connections within a community.

Sometimes It Takes Only One Act Of Kindness And Caring To Change A Person’s Life

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, this act became one of the most meaningful moments of the entire campaign because it showed how community connections can turn into real action.

After seeing the kindness initiatives being shared across our social media channels, a Front Royal resident reached out to our team for help. She had recently purchased a new sectional sofa but needed assistance picking it up and removing her old furniture from her home. Without hesitation, Shawn Brown and Chris Walker from our Parts Department volunteered their time to help that very same day—loading, transporting, and helping complete the entire project for a neighbor in need. For us, this act represented something much bigger than moving furniture. It demonstrated the type of community we strive to build—one where people feel comfortable asking for help and where neighbors are willing to step up when it matters most. As a company with deep roots in Front Royal, moments like these remind us why serving our community has always been about more than just business.

Good Exercise For The Heart: Reach Out And Help Your Neighbor

As part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, our team organized a “Fill The Truck” Cleaning Supply Drive to support the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and the important work they do throughout our region.

Since 1946, the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has worked to address critical human care needs across Clarke, Frederick, Page, and Shenandoah Counties, as well as the City of Winchester. Their efforts focus on improving health, education, and financial stability while helping strengthen the communities that so many local families call home. Through programs, partnerships, and community support, United Way continues making a meaningful impact throughout the Shenandoah Valley—helping individuals and families build stronger futures one step at a time. This effort would not have been possible without the support of our community partners, who joined the movement by organizing and contributing cleaning supply donations to help support this initiative. By coming together, we were proud to support an organization dedicated to creating lasting change and improving lives throughout our region.

This Is Our Community And Our United Way. Our Voices, Our Hands, And Our Hearts Make A Difference