Donated Cars Benefit Local Community Organizations
Cheryl Luther Michaels, Community Journalist
EAST HARDWICK – For those who have a vehicle they’re not using, they might consider donating it to benefit a local nonprofit. The Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging, The Craftsbury Community Care Center and the East Hardwick Neighborhood Organization, along with other Vermont and national nonprofits, are registered with the CARS online donation program and could benefit from your generosity. CARS accepts all kinds of vehicles whether or not they are operable. They handle the donation process, pick-up the vehicle and send the donor a thank you letter along with the tax information. Proceeds after expenses go to the charity of your choice.
According to CARS promotional information at CAReasy.com there are many reasons to donate a vehicle. Donations are eligible for tax deductions and pick-up is easy to arrange. CARS saves the hassle of selling the vehicle, especially if it is not running or can’t be registered. The vehicle does not have to continue to be stored and towing is free. Nonprofit organizations invest the funds back into the community.
The donation process is easy. The first step is to find out if a vehicle is acceptable. The CARS website states “We strive to accept all types of donated vehicles (running or not) including cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, campers, off-road vehicles, planes, heavy equipment, farm machinery, and most other motorized vehicles. To find out if we can accept your vehicle, please complete our secure online vehicle donation form, or call us toll-free at 855-500-RIDE (7433) during regular hours of operation.” The next steps are to choose a non-profit, call or donate online and schedule a pick-up.
One feature of the CAReasy.com website is the posting of donation stories. People who have posted include the family of a veteran who donated his vehicle to the Disabled American Veterans as a thank you for the care they provided when he was sick. Or the woman who just kept putting money into her little sports car but didn’t enjoy it anymore. She decided she would get more enjoyment out of helping the children at Shriners.
CARS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to help other nonprofit organizations increase their fundraising and acquire new contributors through vehicle donation programs. They work with a network of suppliers to sell each vehicle in a way that maximizes the return to the selected charity. The program is run by volunteers and the CARS organization’s earnings support affordable and accessible transportation options to enable older adults to stay active and connected to their communities.
