Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Acts #31 to #45
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 #31: Organized a “Fill The Jeep” Drive for the House of Hope
Date: Friday, July 15th, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company
Employees Pictured: Kyle Dulapa & Alan Larios
For Act #31 we started a “Fill The Jeep” drive for the House of Hope in Front Royal. We collected paper goods, laundry detergent, and powdered drink mixes. The House of Hope is a program for homeless men who are ready and committed to making a permanent change in their lives. A professional staff of caseworkers develops with each client a proactive plan to re-enter society as a productive citizen with stable housing. They offer shelter and food. Plus many other services including case management, consultation, job counseling, and referrals as well as outreach and support on all levels, to nurture body, mind, and soul. Most important the Program Manager develops with each client a proactive plan to re-enter society as a productive citizen with stable housing. Learn more about them at https://www.warrencountyhomeless.org/.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #32: Dropped Off Some Treats at the Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad
Date: Friday, July 15th, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Ford
For Act #32 our Office Manager Jennifer Rines dropped off a couple of cases of Gatorade for all the volunteers at the Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad. It was a small act of kindness for these volunteers involved in the fire department who are greatly responsible for saving our lives in a fire emergency. They go through immense pressure and training to keep us protected. They are the kindest soul who lives for us and performs their duty responsibly to keep us safe and protected. Most important they dedicate their efforts to saving lives, delivering quality emergency medical services, and providing community education and safety. Learn more about the Luray Volunteer Rescue Squad at https://lurayrescue.org/. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #33 & #34: Surprised Local Resident with Free Coffee Gift Cards
Date: Friday, July 15th, 2022
Location: Marlow Motor Company & Tri-State Nissan
Employees Pictured: Jonathan Griffin, Ryan Goldizen & Yancy Umana
Community Partner: H.N. Funkhouser & Co.
“The smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the world’s greatest inventions”
What a great surprise that Acts #33 & #34 was for some residents in Front Royal and Winchester. Who doesn’t like an unexpected treat? Sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can bring the most joy. Jonathan Griffin, Ryan Goldizen & Yancy Umana spent the afternoon placing free Dunkin Dougnuts Coffe gift cards on random cars in town. Our goal was to give a few complete strangers a surprise and the only thing better than a cup of coffee is a free cup of coffee. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter most to brighten people’s days. And most importantly a SPECIAL THANKS to our community partner who “JOINED THE MOVEMENT“ by donating 50 Cups of Coffee.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #35, #36 & #37: A One-Day Challenge the “Smile Challenge”
Date: Monday, July 18th, 2022
Locations: Marlow Motor Company, Tri-State Nissan & Marlow Ford
“Making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world”
All 3 locations participated in Acts #35, #36 & #37 – The “Smile Challenge”. The ‘make someone smile challenge’ was a one-day challenge for our entire staff. For everyone in Front Royal, Winchester & Luray. We are talking about making them genuinely smile. Not just making them crack a smile or, worse, a fake smile, but making them full-out smile because they feel so good. The fact is that the world can be ugly. We run into more frowns, scowls, and cold glares than smiles in our day. All those negative energies out there have the power to drag us down. As a result, we took on the challenge to make everyone truly smile.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #38 & #39: Donated Furniture & Made Personalized Gift Bags to the New Eve Maternity Home
Date: Monday,9 July 18th, 2022
Locations: Marlow Motor Company, Tri-State Nissan & Marlow Ford
Employees Pictured: Robyn Clark, Angel Payne & Jerry Yahner
“New Eve has changed not only my life but my children’s. The women of New Eve are the family I never had and the support any mother dreams of”
Two great acts for one special place. So special that these donations came directly from our employees. For Act#38 our Human Resource Manager Mike Fudge donated a sofa and a children’s paytable. And for Act#39 Tri-State Nissan employees Robyn Clark and Angel Payne made gift baskets for each resident at the New Eve Maternity Home. The New Eve Maternity Home provides a haven for pregnant women and their children who are facing homelessness. New Eve offers them the opportunity to grow in self-respect and independence while celebrating the life within them and the dignity of their motherhood. They welcome women who find themselves alone and in need of physical, spiritual, emotional, and material support. At New Eve, mothers can celebrate the gift of life free from fear. Learn more about them at https://newevematernityhome.org/.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #40: Gave Out Ice Cream to the Kids at Kids Club of Nothern Shenandoah Valley
Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2022
Locations: Tri-State Nissan
Employees Pictured: Todd Kerns & Angel Payne
For Act #40 we surprised the kids at The Kids Club of Northern Shenandoah Valley with ice cream. Ice Cream And Children – What could be more natural? And we did not forget about all the staff, as we handed out free coffee gift cards. The Kids Clubs of Northern Shenandoah Valley is committed to providing high-quality programs for youth during the summer. Their programs specifically focus on keeping kids engaged and active during the summer months. Staff members are carefully selected for their experience, skill, and ability to work with children. A low camper-to-staff ratio ensures that each camper receives personal attention and guidance for the duration of their camp experience. Learn more about them at https://www.thekidsclubs.org/.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #41: Donated & Delivered Flowers to Local Nursing Homes
Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2022
Locations: Marlow Motor Company
Employees Pictured: Wendy Conlon & Melissa McWhinney
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul”
On the positive side for Act #41 we donated and delivered flowers to Heritage Hall and Lavender Hills Nursing Homes. The idea was simple, the results had a huge impact. Think about the last time you experienced random acts of kindness. It probably put a smile on your face. While we may be busy in our day, there’s a very deserving group who’d appreciate a kind gesture: seniors. And we put a BIG SMILE on their faces. If you are feeling inspired by this act of kindness, we have good news: you can do this, too! Remember, it isn’t about money or even planning. It’s about finding a moment to make a small difference in another person’s life. We invite you to brighten a senior’s day with a random act of kindness. You may find it will brighten yours too. Thanks to our Office MaNAGER Melissa McWhinney and our Finance Manager Wendy Conlon for volunteering & delivering these flowers to Heritage Hall and Lavender Hills Nursing Homes,
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #42: Donated & Delivered Bottled Water & Snacks to a Local Cooling Center
Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2022
Locations: Tri-State Nissan
Employees Pictured: Daniel Hargrove & Brian Lewis
For Act #42 we donated & delivered 5 cases of bottled water and a couple of boxes of granola bars to the Winchester Area Thermal Shelter (WATTS). Operating out of Market Street United Methodist Church (131 S. Cameron Street, Winchester) the Cooling Center gives homeless individuals a safe, air-conditioned place to sit for a few minutes or a few hours to help cool off from the heat. They offer snacks and refreshing drinks daily and have breakfast and lunch offerings several days a week. Open during the hottest summer months (July and August) from noon to 5 pm. Learn more about WATTS and https://watts-homelessshelter.org/ about donations at https://watts-homelessshelter.org/.
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #43: Volunteered at the Healthy Living Event
Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2022
Locations: Marlow Motor Company & Tri-State Nissan
Employees Pictured: Alan Larios & Derek Nieves
For Act #43 we volunteered our time for Literacy Volunteers of America at the Healthy Living Event. The Healthy Living Event is a monthly event where you learn about our community’s resources for healthy living. We were able to man the booth from 10 am to 4 pm. Alan & Derek helped with manning the booth, setting at a table under a tent and distributing brochures on all of the different programs, letting people pick out free books and answering a few questions. Alan had so much fun that he decided to volunteer his personal time to help again in the future. Learn more about becoming a volunteer for the Literacy Volunteers at https://lvwa.org/
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #44: Provided Lunch for the Volunteers at the Highland Food Pantry
Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2022
Locations: Tri-State Nissan
Employees Pictured: Emily Marlow Beck, Brian Nieves & Bob Pressler
Act #44 saw us give back to all who give their time week after week. After seeing firsthand how hard all the volunteers work every week at the Highland Food Pantry, we decided to give back to the volunteers. As a thank you we purchased lunch for the entire staff at the Highland Food Pantry. And a BIG THANKS to Chinatown Restaurant in Winchester for helping out with this lunch. What a great time we had meeting all the volunteers and taking a tour of their facility. We can’t wait to partner with the Highland Food Pantry in the future. The Highland Food Pantry is a member agency of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank network, Highland Food Pantry of Winchester, Virginia serves people in the northern Shenandoah Valley experiencing chronic hunger. Our main activity is the distribution of food to individuals and families in need. Learn more about them at https://www.highlandpantrywinc.org/about-us
Marlow 75 Acts of Kindness
Act #45: Volunteered Our Time for Cook Out at the House of Hope
Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2022
Locations: Marlow Motor Company
Employees Pictured: Emily Marlow Beck, Andrew Beck & Brain Nieves
Act #45 was very special. This night was filled with joy at the House of Hope, as Marlow Motors extended one of their 75 Acts of Kindness to the men. Together, a beach BBQ was enjoyed by all, including the neighborhood kitty, Toofless. Helping the men plan a big meal, thaw meat, and grill it up, is an act of kindness in itself. Add a few decorations, fun music, and good company, and we are talking about an awesome evening to remember! All of the residents who were home on Tuesday evening enjoyed the cheeseburgers and the social setting that was created. One man commented, “It was wonderful to be able to sit and have a conversation with people.” The House of Hope is a program for homeless men who are ready and committed to making a permanent change in their lives. Learn more about them at https://www.warrencountyhomeless.org/.
