Eggleston talks about

What’s New this Spring and Brain Injury Awareness Month

 

On March 15, 2025, Eggleston’s VP of Marketing and Development, Geraldine Eady and the Director of Marketing, Kristen Ricks, were joined by several guests on News Talk 790 WNIS “Ask the Experts” show with Damien Hall. We started out by sharing a brief history of how and why Eggleston was started. We talked about what’s new in 2025 and highlighted some upcoming events including our 16th annual OK5K and 1-Mile Run, Walk and Roll and our 70th Anniversary Gala. Click on the link below to hear the full story.

 Next we hear from Teslyn Savage, Eggleston’s Brain Injury Services Program manager and Jamie Peed, the Brain Injury Case Manager to talk about Eggleston’s Brain Injury Services and upcoming Open House event on Friday, March 21st, from 2 – 5pm at 5145 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23502.   Jamie also shares information about the expansion of our Case Management services and the 2nd Annual Headstrong Helmet Decorating Contest. To hear more click on the link below.

In the third segment we hear from Craig Lyons, Navy Veteran and Brain Injury survivor.  We also introduce Pete Bergstrom, the supervisor at Eggleston’s Garden Center and Farmers Market to talk about Spring planting and what’s new at the Garden Center.  To hear from Craig and Pete click on the link below.

At the end of the hour Pete talks more about the Eggleston Farmers Market and all the goodies the carry. Geraldine shares ways to get involved with Eggleston from donating a vehicle to volunteering and everything in between.  Learn more about Eggleston and how you can help make a difference in the Hampton Roads community.

Donating your car can be a fulfilling way to give back to your community. However, before your vehicle can be used, one small yet vital piece of information plays a huge role in the process: your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 

Whether you’re considering a car donation in Norfolk, VA, or want to understand the role of VINs in the process, this blog is your roadmap. We’ll discuss what a VIN reveals about your car, the importance of VIN in car donations, and how it helps support Eggleston’s mission of empowering individuals with disabilities. 

What is a VIN and Why Does it Matter? 

A VIN is equivalent to your car’s DNA. It’s a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle that acts as an identifier that tells its story, detailing everything from a vehicle’s make and model to its history and condition. 

The VIN is crucial for car donations to Eggleston. It helps us verify your vehicle, ensure compliance with legal requirements, and determine its potential use or resale value. By understanding the details the VIN provides, charities can process donations effectively and maximize the impact of your contribution.

What a VIN Reveals About Your Car 

Your vehicle identification number information uncovers more about your car than you might think. Here’s what a VIN reveals: 

1. Make, Model, and Year of Manufacture 

The VIN identifies your car’s brand, model, and when it was built. This information is vital for determining its current value and resale potential, especially during auto auctions

2. Vehicle History 

Wondering how your car’s past can impact its future donation? The VIN details a comprehensive record of accidents, repairs and vehicle maintenance, recalls, and even the number of previous owners. These details help assess the condition of the vehicle. 

3. Odometer Readings and Title Status 

The VIN reveals odometer readings and title integrity, flagging issues like mileage inconsistencies, salvaged titles, or liens. This ensures that transfers during the donation process are smooth and compliant with state regulations. 

4. Registration and Theft Reports 

Has the car been reported as stolen? Is it registered out of state? The vehicle identification number information gives insights into the legal standing of the vehicle, preventing potential issues during ownership transfers. 

Understanding these details helps Eggleston decide whether a donated car can be repaired or sold at a local auto auction. 

The Car Donation Process and VIN Requirements 

Interested in donating your car to Eggleston? Here’s a breakdown of the car donation process and VIN. 

Step 1: Locate Your VIN

Your VIN can typically be found in one of these places: 

  • On the dashboard, near the windshield on the driver’s side 
  • Inside the driver’s door, on the door frame 
  • On your vehicle registration or insurance paperwork 

Step 2: Submit Your VIN 

Once located, have your VIN details on hand when communicating with us about making a car donation with Eggleston. Our team will use it to verify your vehicle’s details and prepare for the next steps.

Step 3: Schedule a Pickup or Drop Off

After verification, Eggleston will schedule a free pickup or allow you to drop off your car donation in Norfolk, VA. This flexibility makes the entire car donation process seamless. 

Step 4: Receive Your Tax Receipt 

Once your vehicle is auctioned, you’ll receive a receipt with the vehicle’s final sale price. This allows you to claim a tax deduction, adding even more value to your donation. 

Why We Need Your Car Donation

Proceeds from vehicles sold at auto auctions directly support Eggleston’s mission to create employment and training opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including:

  • Adults with disabilities 
  • Veterans managing PTSD or other disabilities 
  • Brain injury survivors

Drive Change with Every Donation 

At Eggleston, vehicle donations are more than just transactions; they’re opportunities to change lives. By acknowledging the importance of VIN in car donations, you help ensure your car’s maximum potential is realized. Through your generosity, individuals with disabilities gain independence, confidence, and stable employment that helps them thrive in life. 

Got a car collecting dust? Donate your vehicle to Eggleston to be a part of a mission that makes a difference! Call us to start a VIN check for a car donation today.

Please use these lists as a guide for our February 17, 2025 hours in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday. For questions or additional information please call our front desk team at 757-858-8011 or email them at Info@egglestonservices.org

Thank You!

Eggleston Earth Day Shred Event

April 26, 2025 from 10AM – 2PM at

3525 N. Military Hwy. Norfolk, VA 23518

Ideal for:
– Spring Cleaning
– Recycling Old papers
– End of Tax Season

Join Eggleston for our Earth Day shred event and get a quality service while helping improve the lives of adults with disabilities in Hampton Roads.
– Fill up to a 64 gallon container for the flat fee of $45 (approximately 10 boxes).
– If you have 20+ boxes please call 757-962-2189 in advance to schedule a drop off time.
– Visit our pop market and get some plants and produce from Eggleston’s Garden Center and Farmers Market! 

Please use these lists as a guide for our January 20, 2025 hours in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. For questions or additional information please call our front desk team at 757-858-8011 or email them at Info@egglestonservices.org

Thank You!

Brain Injury Services Case Management Expansion

Eggleston’s Brain Injury Services (BIS) program, with funding from the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), is pleased to announce an expansion of case management.

Currently, Eggleston offers three services to brain injury survivors in South Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Suffolk): Case Management, Virtual Support Groups, and Beacon House which is a clubhouse modeled program. With the expanded service we will now offer case management services to the City of Franklin and Counties of Sussex, Isle of Wight, Southampton, and Greensville.

“Brain injury case management promotes self-advocacy and independence by supporting people with brain injuries in making their own decisions and living their best lives.” – Jamie Peed, MPH, CBIS, Brain Injury Case Manager

 

Case Management

A Case Manager provides guidance, education, and empowerment by linking individuals with community resources, setting up services, and serving as a liaison with other providers. Examples include:

  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Employment
  • Healthcare
  • Legal Aid
  • Financial Assistance
  • Socialization
  • And more

“My Case Manager and the support group help me feel like my struggle is not the ending, but something that can be turned around if I work hard enough.” – Donnie, a brain injury survivor

Case management is provided at no cost to the individual. The Case Manager meets with individuals virtually or in-person. Services begin by assessing needs and working together to develop your personal goals.

“My grandson’s Eggleston case manager, Jamie Peed, has guided us through understanding the effects on him and his entire family after his surgery to save his life as a result of his traumatic brain injury. Her knowledge and expertise have opened our eyes to the permanence of his condition and how to get the best care for him.

Jamie Peed has used her intellectual knowledge, counseling expertise and personal encouragement to inform us, guide and comfort us. Our grandson now has in place therapies, Developmental Disability programs and Disability payments because of Eggleston brain injury case management. We are very grateful and would highly recommend Eggleston case management.” – Mary Leonard, caregiver

Support Group

Eggleston hosts a virtual support group for brain injury survivors and support networks. The meeting is held via Zoom on the second Thursday of every month at 6pm. 

For more information please contact:

Joanne Orchant Aceto, Assistant Vice President of Vocational Rehabilitative Services
at jaceto@egglestonservices.org

 

 

or

Jamie Peed, Case Manager, Brain Injury Services
at jpeed@egglestonservices.org or (757) 937-5674

 

 

About Eggleston: Eggleston is a local, nonprofit whose mission is to support and empower individuals with disabilities in employment, residential and community settings. First conceived by a group of parents seeking meaningful opportunities for their adult children, Eggleston has been serving Hampton Roads for almost 70 years. Today the organization delivers 30 person-centered programs and services to over 1,800 individuals each year. As one of the region’s largest employer of adults with disabilities, Eggleston’s business enterprises include its Automotive Center, Document Destruction, Commercial Landscaping, Garden Center and Farmers Market, and its Government and Business Contract Services. Eggleston also provides a number of rehabilitations programs including five Day Support Programs, In-home and Congregate Residential services, Brain Injury services, Warrior Bridge Veterans services, and Community Engagement services. To learn more visit www.egglestonservices.org

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Eggleston talks about

What’s New Around the Holidays Season

 on the “Hampton Roads Prospective” show.

 

In early December Eggleston’s VP of Marketing and Development, Geraldine Eady and the Director of Marketing, Kristen Ricks sat down with 94.9 The Points Mary Katherine Woo woo for the latest episode of Hampton Roads Prospective. We started out by sharing a brief history of how and why Eggleston was started. We shared highlights from fall 2024 events and what we have coming up including Christmas Trees on sale, photos with Santa at the Eggleston Garden Center, and more.

Geraldine talked about end of year giving and other ways to get involved.

Click on the link below to hear the full story.

Please use these lists as a guide for our December 24 and 25, 2024 hours in observance of the Winter Holiday and January 1, 2025 in observance of the New Year holiday. For questions or additional information please call our front desk team at 757-858-8011 or email them at Info@egglestonservices.org

Thank You!

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an average of 200,000 service members transition from active duty to veteran status annually, beginning a new chapter in civilian life. Transitioning from military service to civilian life is a challenge many veterans face, often accompanied by feelings of isolation, loss of purpose, and difficulty adjusting to new societal roles. Volunteering offers a powerful solution for veterans’ reintegration, helping them connect with their communities while gaining emotional, mental, and social benefits.

This blog explores the benefits of volunteering for veterans and practical ways to get started, including Eggleston’s Warrior Bridge veterans program, our resources dedicated to supporting veterans in Hampton Roads and helping them thrive.

The Challenges of Reintegration

Leaving active duty means losing the structure, camaraderie, and sense of purpose that military life provides. Veterans often face challenges like isolation from losing military networks, mental health struggles such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, and difficulties adjusting to new roles and identities in civilian life.

These difficulties can impede a veteran’s ability to live a fulfilling post-service life. Veteran community engagement through volunteering offers a way to combat these challenges and foster a sense of belonging.

Community Support for Veterans

Community support and volunteering provide veterans with a network of understanding, companionship, and shared purpose, making the transition to civilian life easier. Connecting with others fosters a sense of belonging, reduces isolation, and builds bonds through collaborative efforts that contribute to something greater. Volunteering not only allows veterans to give back but also offers opportunities for personal growth, healing, and meaningful connections. By channeling their skills and experiences into impactful work, veterans can contribute to society in fulfilling and impactful ways.

The Benefits of Volunteering for Veterans

A group of people participating in a community walk on a sunny day, including a man holding an American flag and another pushing a stroller with a child.1. Emotional Benefits 

Volunteering boosts self-worth by helping veterans see the tangible impact of their contributions, fostering a sense of fulfillment. It also helps restore purpose, as many veterans view giving back as an extension of their service, furthering their sense of dedication and mission.

2. Physical and Mental Health Improvements 

According to DAV, a study from Saint Louis University revealed the positive mental health benefits veterans gain from volunteering. Following the study, more than seven percent of participants showed reduced symptoms of PTSD, and depressive symptoms dropped to just 15% (compared to 23.5% before). Volunteers also reported improvements in overall health and better social connectivity. By staying physically active and mentally engaged, veterans reduce stress while building healthier lifestyles. 

3. Networking Opportunities 

Volunteering provides a chance to meet like-minded individuals and professionals. From building friendships to accessing mentorships, these connections can promote professional development and create a personal network of community support for veterans.

4. Giving Back While Healing 

The act of helping others often brings its own form of healing. Veterans can use their unique strengths and experiences to empower their communities.

How Veterans Can Volunteer With Eggleston

Eggleston’s Warrior Bridge veterans program is dedicated to supporting veterans with disabilities, no matter when they served or their discharge status, by connecting them to essential resources, services, employment opportunities, and volunteering for veterans. Using a person-centered approach, Warrior Bridge helps veterans achieve self-sufficiency through meaningful and satisfying employment.

What sets our Warrior Bridge program apart is the ability to offer immediate employment opportunities through our diverse range of businesses. The program is committed to bridging the gap between resources, support, and long-term employment, empowering veterans to build brighter futures.

A group of four individuals standing in a cemetery, wearing Eggleston and veteran-themed t-shirts.Eggleston’s Warrior Bridge Program is dedicated to helping veterans reintegrate into their communities while fostering personal growth. We offer various opportunities for veterans to engage, including:

  • Physical Labor Tasks include cleaning, moving, and working in a garden center or automotive shop. 
  • Creative Activities like art and music therapy, are designed to tap into emotional wellness. 
  • Office Support helps local organizations with administrative tasks. 
  • Community Outreach initiatives spread awareness and support around veterans’ causes. 

By choosing Warrior Bridge, veterans gain access to meaningful veteran community engagement opportunities that cater to their interests and abilities while connecting with a broader community of like-minded individuals. 

The path to reintegration isn’t always easy, but volunteering for veterans offers a proven way to address emotional, mental, and social challenges. Whether it’s through developing new networks, improving mental health, or rediscovering a sense of purpose, volunteering can provide veterans with the tools they need to thrive.

Contact us to learn more about Warrior Bridge and start volunteering today!

Eggleston talks about

What’s New and Highlights from Hope Bress

a 49 year employee on the WNIS “Ask the Experts” show.

 

On November 23, 2024, Eggleston’s VP of Marketing and Development, Geraldine Eady and the Director of Marketing, Kristen Ricks, were joined by several guests on WNIS 790’s “Ask the Experts” show with Damien Hall. We started out by sharing a brief history of how and why Eggleston was started. We shared highlights from fall 2024 events and what we have coming up including Christmas Trees on sale and photos with Santa at the Eggleston Garden Center. Click on the link below to hear the full story.

Geraldine talked about end of year giving and asked people to save the date for Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3rd. She also shared other ways to get involved. To hear more click on the link below.

In the third segment we talked about the 2024 Eggleston Angel tree and how people can get involved. We also introduced Hope Bress and Patty Rodman from our Business Services division.  Hope is Eggleston longest running employee and has been with the organization for 49 years.  Hope talked about her experiences with Eggleston and shared some advice for future Eggleston employees. Patty is Hopes supervisor and she gave some more information about what the Business services team does and how you can learn more if you would like Eggleston to support your business.   To hear from Hope and Patty click on the link below.

At the end of the hour we were joined by Dean Swift, Eggleston’s Business Development Manager who talk about the upcoming Auto Auctions. He also shared we would be auctioning off a 1967 Mustang at the Dec. 14th auction. Dean also talked about Eggleston’s Shredding services. To learn more about these programs listen here.