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Disability Credit Canada needs our help. "...This year we received an unprecedented number of scholarship applications (COVID-19 effect?). We know there are thousands of young disabled Canadians who have similar aspirations. They are struggling to make ends meet." Is this a cause you can get behind? Read on for Preston's Story!
Continue reading "Disability Credit Canada" →Making a Difference
Wildlife Sanctuary
Animal charities have heart
Offering our wildlife sanctuary is a core Canadian value. Of our nearing 1,000 Canadian charities, dozens are animal care organizations. Donate a Car Canada donors often put their donation dollars toward these causes.
Continue reading "Wildlife Sanctuary" →Epilepsy Canada
We've extended Betsy's legacy on behalf of Epilepsy Canada this month!
Who is Betsy? She's a trusty 2004 Mercedes C240. Our donors rolled into the program mid-August, ready to part ways with their sturdy car.
Continue reading "Epilepsy Canada" →Full-size Cars
I was born in 1970, a year when the North American love affair with full-size cars (read, BIG cars) was in full swing.
My earliest memory of a family car is a 70's model Pontiac Catalina. Four doors. Forest green. Seats as rough as sandpaper, and an eight-track cassette player the churned out the Oakridge Boys for days.
Barbies, singalongs, & the open road
The interior of that Pontiac was astonishing. My little sister and I had the run of the place -- pre-seatbelt era. We stuffed that mother ship of full-size cars to the roof with our barbies and books. We hunkered into the sunburnt back seat and sang our little lungs out, Dad harmonizing all along, on the long treks to and from Grandma's farm.
That behemoth journeyed us across provinces and down the way to Sunday school. Countless memories were made as we squabbled and star-gazed and explored in the safety of the Catalina.
Big cars | A thing of the past?
The march of time and progress have had their effect on our relationship with big cars. Today's full-size cars are feather-light by comparison. A car like the Catalina weighed-in closer to the size of our current mid-size SUVs (at a healthy 4000+ lbs). That said, the Dodge Charger (our best option in full-size sedans, according to CarGurus.com) weighs in with a curb weight of 4500+ lbs.
Length, height, and cargo space -- not to mention our always evolving relationship with aesthetics -- have shifted dramatically over time. Moreover, drivability and safety are deal breakers for today's buyer.
Ready to move on
If you've been nostalgically holding on to your 70's, 80's, 90's full-size car, consider extending its service in a different way? What if that non-drivable old vehicle could be transformed into donation dollars? Through our program, you can choose your charity and get that car off the back parking pad for free. Keep the steering wheel, or a chip of paint. Remove a mirror or memorialize it with a hubcap. A tiny bit of insignia is so much cheaper and easier to tend than that big ol' pile of metal. And the pile of metal can do good work on behalf of someone, or something, who needs it!
Nova Scotia Car Donors
Nova Scotia car donors are all part of the heart work here at Donate a Car Canada.
Most of the vehicles we process in the Maritimes are recycle-ready. And there are times when we are able to re-sell a vehicle for a higher donation return. Whatever the process, donors and charities alike are well served.
Quadruple car donor!
It is our privilege to work alongside donors who have more than one vehicle to donate. Sometimes Canadians submit more than one vehicle at the same time. Additionally, donors may come back to us year after year. And sometimes, we see the same giver roll through the program with several years in between.
One of our Nova Scotia car donors lands in more than one of those categories!
'Back in 2014, our guy came to the program with three vehicles at once! Not only did he submit 3 different cars, he gifted 3 unique charities:
Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia ,
Alice House , and the
Arthritis Research Foundation .
Two of his vehicles (a tired ol' Pontiac Grand Am, and a worn out Toyota Sienna) were ready for recycling. While his '08 Uplander looked scrap-ready on paper, our agent was able to turn it over for higher-than-going-rate!
Which brings us to July 2020
Just this past month, this same Maritimer gifted Alice House another vehicle! This time his trusty Mini Cooper brought in a donation of a $200.00 for the charity.
Nova Scotia car donors have options when it comes to giving away their vehicles. What a joy it is to serve generous Canadians such as this, time after time!
If you have a vehicle to donate (or two...or more!), we're here to help:
Beagle Paws
Beagle Paws, one of our receiving animal causes, has faithful support!
We had the happy privilege of working alongside one of their donors -- twice!
In 2016, Beagle Paws received a donation of $657.00 for a Ford Focus that we thought was surely recycle-ready. Our cooperating auction house thought differently. The auction house buyers thought more of the car, too. With a little haggling and finagling, the donor's charity of choice was set.
Fast forward to the summer of 2020
It is a no surprise to us here at Donate a Car Canada -- Canadian donors treat car donations a bit like tattoos: once you've given once, you'll want to donate again! As a business that's been around for a long time, we're thrilled to work alongside donors like this every few years.
Our Ford donor of the Spring of 2016 donated again in the summer of 2020. His chosen cause? Beagle Paws. Again! His second gift to them through our program was a 2008 Chrysler 300.
As is so often the way with our multi-donation givers, this donor doesn't make a peep about his efforts. As with his donated Focus, our guy submitted his donation form online. Without any acknowledgment of his extraordinary generosity, he simply gave a second car away.
Bigger outcome? Smaller?
Before we say more about how Beagle Paws will benefit from this donation outcome, let's say just a bit about who they are. Why might our donor care so much for this particular organization? Not surprisingly, they're all about one breed: Beagles!
"When you adopt from Beagle Paws Rescue you’ll quickly realize you’re the one who has been saved. This mischievous breed, known for curious noses and eternal puppy-dog eyes, are loyal, steadfast companions. As a rescue organization, we strive to find the perfect dog for your family and to ensure this affectionate, but often neglected, breed is protected and loved.
Once known as a hunting breed or outdoor dog, these clever pets are too often mistreated, abandoned, or left to live outside on a chain or in enclosed pens with no human interaction or compassion. Beagle Paws Rescue was established in 2003 to bring the breed indoors and has become the country’s largest beagle rescue group. Since then we’ve become Canada's largest beagle rescue group. We've rescued and rehomed thousands of dogs throughout Canada and established chapters and connections in every province - but there’s still much work to be done." (Beagle Paws, "About" page)
When an old car goes to the dogs
Thanks to this two-time donor, this hard working charity is going to see a sturdy donation outcome this month end. In fact, he's in line for a a mitt full of the beautiful key chains Beagle Paws is offering their $25.00 donors!
Donate a Car Canada will be disbursing close to $2000.00 in the donor's name this go 'round!
Does this inspire you to give vehicle donation a try? Connect with us! We're at the ready to get your donation dollars into the hands of the cause you love.
Autism Calgary Association
Autism Calgary Association has a Donate a Car Canada gift! Our donors have richly personal reasons for selecting a receiving charity. Health-related organizations hit the top of the list. The choice may be all about the care of the planet, or of animals. Morever, charities are picked for sentimental reasons.
The owners of a recycle-ready 2007 Dodge Caravan chose Autism Calgary Association for heartfelt reasons.
Donating Zoomy
Our donors noted,
"This vehicle has enormous sentimental value to our son, who has autism. He has named the Van Zoomy. Zoomy was last driven 6 years ago and needed major work at that time,We have held onto Zoomy until our son was ready to let go. He's ready and has chosen to donate Zoomy to Autism Calgary."
These kinds of stories are exactly why Donate a Car Canada does what we do! Not only do our donor matter, their vehicle matters. And the charity of choice is vital to the giver.
Zoomy makes a difference
For charities like Autism Calgary Association, a donation like this is critical to their ongoing work. Furthermore, the beauty of a gift like this is that it allows the giver to feel sure their beloved vehicle is more than just scrap metal. Zoomys, all across Canada, continue to serve by turning wheels and metal into much-needed dollars.
Consider the causes that are meaningful to you. You've likely experienced, for yourself, the value of every donation dollar. Hearts and minds are impacted. In addition, the machine of the operations is kept up and running.
ACA Star Stories | YouTube
Visit the Autism Calgary Association YouTube channel for challenge and inspiration.
Have a Zoomy of your own to share?
Not all cars and trucks have sentimental value to us. Frankly, sometimes we just want the ol' scrap metal hauled out of the back yard! In extreme cases, we don't even care what happens to what feels like a heap of junk. But sometimes we do care. A lot. We care because the car was the last vehicle that our aging loved one used before they gave up driving. Or, it may be the last car we're going to use before we surrender that freedom for ourselves. Equally common, the car or truck may be our learner vehicle -- or the one we used to teach our kids to drive. Whatever your story (or lack of story!), we're here to help you turn your donation ready unit into monies for the cause you love.
My Junk Car, a Charity Treasure
Happy Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Donor
"Good riddance to bad rubbish" was this donor's heartfelt post. His donation on behalf of the CPFF was processed earlier this month. A recycle-ready vehicle, the donor received his free tow in quicktime by Quick's Towing. This faithful agent has been serving Donate a Car Canada in Ontario for years. So many donors and their charities of choice served by one company!
What happens to my junk car?
Not all of us feel quite so strongly about our recycle-ready vehicles as our Equinox donor! We may not be so ready to call Old Faithful, "junk." Whatever the readiness, our process in caring for your donation will hold steady.
You will always receive a free tow from one of our trusted supporting agents. These stalwarts will either recycle or re-sell your vehicle. This is dependent on many factors specific to your location, and the condition of the auto. Donation dollar outcomes vary from one province to the next. This is as should be: metal prices fluctuate constantly. Your donation outcome will reflect that variance.
And your charity? Monies in hand within weeks of us receiving the pay out from our agent. Your tax receipt is then issued to you in the subsequent weeks.
But what if it's not junk?
"Take care of my junk car!" may not be your cry. Perhaps your donation-ready vehicle is in sale-able condition. We're the company for you! Simply submit the car or truck particulars and we'll promptly assess its condition. If we, based on what we know about the industry and our database of sale outcomes, determine that it can be re-sold, or auctioned off, we'll do so! This can result in a much stronger donation outcome on driveable, sturdy, good lookin' units! 'Good for your charity, and great for your tax claims!
Hit the donate button, or give us a call today!
Best Charities: Coronavirus
The best charities to support during the ebb and flow of Coronavirus ripple effects are in sight. Savvy Canadian donors do their research. They are careful in selecting who they donate to. We want our charities to run efficiently. Well managed with modest, defensible overhead is a must. Moreover, a charity should touch into our lives personally.
Your decision to donate your vehicle has come with thought and care. Choosing the charity that will receive the monies from that effort poses a unique challenge.
This is an easy decision for some: we give from the heart to the causes that make our hearts leap! Where the money goes is top-of-mind for others. Above all, give where there will be the best bang for our giving buck.
Maclean's on who, what, why
Maclean's ezine article, "Coronavirus: Where to donate and how to help Canada's most vulnerable," offers concise and valuable direction. If you're looking to donate specifically to needs arising from the pandemic, this article will help!
Many of the charities noted in on their break-out lists are charities that we work to support daily. Note the Canadian Mental Health Association, The Salvation Army, and Food Banks Canada. These are on the short-list for monetary donation. Further, SOS Children's Villages and Kids Help Phone are high on the list.
Concerned for the personal safety of women and children in violent domestic situations, consider donating. The Canadian Women's Foundation, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter, and your own local shelter need you.
Similarly, we have seen how aggressively COVID-19 has impacted our Canadian seniors. The Alzheimer Society in your province needs your giving dollars now.
Canadians are all affected
As you'll see in the Maclean's article, these quick acknowledgments skim the surface. We should state that impact has rippled to all sectors of our society. Consider gifting indigenous causes, or, turn your attention toward those with special needs. 'Just plum tuckered out thinking about your fellow human? Why not consider a gift to any of our animal charities? It will be welcome!
Wisdom in Troubled Times
Wisdom is never violent: where wisdom reigns there is no conflict between thinking and feeling.
Carl Jung
But, I'm right!
Global events demand the attention of each one of us. We have strong opinions. Such firm beliefs. Furthermore, we are right! I am right. You are right. We have reasons that are good enough for us - every one of us - that to refuse to adapt, or change, or grow.
Good enough reasons to protest. Reasons that are strong enough that we won't protest. Ideologies and understandings that demand attention. It is so very important that I be right.
For this reason, and a thousand others, we squabble with and shame and harm one another. And we each claim wisdom in the moment of heated action or argument. Equally, we argue understanding through inaction and passivity.
Is that really all there is to it?
Thomas Merton says that compassion is the acceptance of the interconnectedness of all things. So , the state of my heart is reflected in the condition of the world. This may be for peace, or for strife. It could be for goodness, or for greed. Perhaps it will be for love, but it could just as easily be for judgement.
In a wildly disrupted time (pandemic, human rights upheaval, economic disparity, and so on and on!), we have actual control over very little. Really? We have control over one thing: our Self. Who we will be. How we will be. What if your way of being has a ripple effect? What might you determine that effect to be?
For today, we here at Donate a Car Canada will continue to hold to our intention of providing exceptional donor and charity care in a wobbly world. Hands steady-at-the-scrap-car-wheel. Aiming for wisdom and compassion. And this despite our (considerable) differences of thought, belief, and certitude! We're all in this together.
