Easterns Blog

At Eastern Motors, we believe in the power of community and the positive impact that small acts of kindness can have. In Northern Virginia, a remarkable nonprofit called Pawfectly Delicious Dog Treats is making waves by transforming the lives of young adults with different abilities, all while whipping up delectable dog treats in an Alexandria church kitchen.

As soon as you step into the Pawfectly Delicious kitchen, nestled within an Alexandria church, you’re enveloped in the comforting scent of ginger and cinnamon. Amidst the inviting aroma, the dedicated team of differently abled employees crafts each dog treat with care and enthusiasm, marking the beginning of something truly magical, according to Anne Tuccillo, the Executive Director of the nonprofit.

For Emma Franken, one of Pawfectly Delicious’ employees, the experience is about more than just baking dog treats. “I like working with other special needs kids and getting to know more people,” she shares with a smile. During their baking sessions, the church buzzes with activity as the team rolls, shapes, and bakes all-natural dog treats. These treats are beloved by both furry companions and their human friends.

Anne Tuccillo, along with her son Bryan, co-founded Pawfectly Delicious. Their vision goes beyond crafting delicious dog treats; it’s about providing meaningful employment opportunities to young adults with disabilities. “We have adult children who have aged out of the school system, and as hard as the school system has tried to transition them into some type of job, there aren’t a lot of employers willing to take the chance on training someone who is differently abled,” Anne explains.

Pawfectly Delicious started its journey in Anne and Bryan’s home kitchen, initially driven by volunteers. However, the demand grew, and in 2021, they achieved a significant milestone – generating enough revenue to start compensating their dedicated team. “Our biggest accomplishment was in 2021 – we had enough revenue we could start paying our people,” Anne proudly shares.

The heartwarming story of Pawfectly Delicious caught the attention of 7News and Easterns Automotive Group. United by a shared commitment to uplift the community, we collaborated to offer a 7News Helping Hand. Through a $2,200 donation, we aimed to bolster the impactful work that Anne, Bryan, and the entire team are doing.

“I’ll tell you after working so hard last night on submitting the grant, I was like, ‘Why am I doing this?’ Now I know why and it’s because of people like you and the community to help us make the world a better place, so thank you,” Anne expressed gratefully upon receiving the donation.

The support from Easterns Automotive Group is more than a monetary contribution; it’s a vote of confidence in the profound impact that Pawfectly Delicious is making. With this donation, Pawfectly Delicious will continue to provide employment opportunities for its current team members and potentially extend its reach to empower even more individuals.

At Easterns, we are honored to be a part of this incredible journey of empowerment and transformation. Through initiatives like the 7News Helping Hand, we strive to foster positive change in our community, one act of kindness at a time.