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Sometimes we’ve gotta’ pinch ourselves! Imagine us sitting at our work-from-home desks. We’re tucked into a conversation with yet another human offering their unique kindness. And this is the whole job! You as the giver. Us as the conduit for your gift. Twenty years of aligning with Canadian generosity is a very good thing! Here’s a peek behind the curtain of vehicle donation caring through a couple of decades…
Is kindness uncommon?
“When one reaches out to help another he touches the face of God.” – Walt Whitman
Your kindness counts
Henri Nouwen says, “…our faithfulness to a small task is the most healing response to the illnesses of our time.” Being kind matters, and your efforts in the smallest expressions of that goodness can have large effect.
Take a minute: Consider the nature of the acts of Goodness that have most put air in your own lungs. Was it a break, a smile, a compliment, a hand up, or a hard-earned treat? Whatever it was, it probably didn’t cost the giver much, and it made a difference to your day. What was it like for you to be the recipient? And did you go on to be a giver of the same?
Benefits to bein’ nice
Psychology Today notes, “A recent study, Kindness Counts, conducted by researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Riverside, broke new ground by showing the benefits derived by tweens when they were taught happiness-increasing strategies.
For one month, several hundred 9 to 11 year-olds performed and recorded three acts of kindness each week. They could do these for anyone they wished. Another several hundred kept track of three pleasant places they visited during the week.
Not surprisingly, the results were consistent with adult studies. When kids performed acts of kindness or took notice of the pleasant places they visited during the week, they significantly increased feelings of happiness and satisfaction.
But those who performed acts of kindness received an additional benefit. Measuring how well children were liked or accepted by their peers, the study showed those who performed acts of kindness gained an average of 1.5 friends during the four-week period – good support for the idea that ‘nice guys finish first.'” (Acts of Kindness: Key to Happiness for Children & Teens)
Three acts of kindness each week? ‘Sounds do-able! Let’s take up that challenge and make a difference.
This best-of-us virtue is a core value here at Donate a Car Canada
I came to the Donate a Car (DAC) family quite early on. There was a team of two on board at them time. Our grounded and wise manager was supported by a sprightly, funny, deeply caring Jane-of-all-jobs. I was hired to provide a few hours of administrative donor support each day.
What a surprising Gift to be invited into a generosity collaboration that was in its beginnings! It was a joy to become part of something creative, missional, and profoundly kind.
Because that is who the DAC team are at heart. We are bonkers-kind humans who attend “customer service” with care, efficiency, and creative wit.
The beginnings
In the early days, vehicle donation in Canada was really only known as a Kidney Foundation endeavor. Donate a Car Canada’s (DAC) mission was to make the option available for many Canadian charities. Initially, this meant just a handful of organizations were signed up with us to receive car, truck, SUV, and van donations.
Over time, hundreds and hundreds of charities joined our program. Fast forward to today: ANY charity in Canada can receive your vehicle gift! What a fascination to watch this develop through the past two decades.
We were such a tiny little work in the beginning that we didn’t even have the staff to wrangle a phone line. Everything was managed via email and online process. In time we added a 1-800 number. That ensured much broader accessibility for donors — especially for those who aren’t crazy about tackling things via computer.
As Canadians learned about DAC and their vehicle giving options, we stepped it up. We gradually built, shaped, and honed our program. A remarkably skilled tech Magician (Gosh! We love this guy!) transformed our donors’ wishes, and our wish to provide exceptional efficiency, into reality. We became increasingly adept at managing all sorts of unique donation experiences.
A giving platform that is all about the donor and their charity of choice
We learned a lot about the importance of communicating detailed — but not too detailed — information from our early-years donors. They were looking for the same things every time: clear communication, a simple and quick process, and a tax receipt.
So, we created a 1-2-3 step process that continues to ensure hundreds of donors a joyful and rewarding giving experience each week. If you’re donating a scrapper or a sweet antique, the same process applies at the outset. Then, we personalize and tweak things to a just-so rhythm that allows each donor peace of mind — and a gratifying donation outcome for their charity of choice. Even though we have a fine-tuned process, each donor is engaged individually. Every donation is unique.
I remember the first time we companioned a donor of an estate vehicle donation. This can be an emotional process. Settling an estate is complicated and time consuming. Early on we began to streamline communication that allows the executor, executrix, or Power of Attorney ease and clarity. Estate vehicle donors often comment that they wish all aspects of estate settlement were so simple. Over time we have learned the value of compassionate efficiency. So, while settling the estate can feel onerous, you’ll experience the vehicle donation end of things as a breath of fresh air!
Compassionate and funny efficiency runs all through the kindness you’ll encounter in our team. Genuine care underlies every action we take here. We truly care for each donor. Our charities and their respective missions matter. And we have strong relationships with our supporting transport agents. Oh! And we like each other too. It’s a win-win-win-win!
Give car donation kindness a go
Across Canada, vehicle donors are making a difference. Every vehicle counts. Every charity is set up for this kind of giving. Ready to give it a try? You are just a click or a call away from helping the charity you love!
Click the button below, or give us a call at 1-877-250-4904. It will take you less than 10 minutes to complete your form. Then, just sit back and wait for your transport agent to call and arrange your free tow. Lastly, watch your inbox for your tax receipt. We’ll keep you in the loop every step of the way so you know whose got your back for each part of the donating process.
We are poised for another 20 years of conversations with generous Canadians! Let’s keep spreading kindness together!
