Growing hope and sustaining kindness one choice at a time

How do you keep your attention focused on hope and human kindness when surrounded by instability and uncertainty? Have you noticed that you have a whole lot of agency in some parts of your life? You may be experiencing considerable lack of control in others?

What are your go-to activities, practices, and hobbies you engage in when you need to bolster your (or your loved ones) outlook?

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

~ Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

Sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

The Canadian charities keeping hope alive

Charities like the Canadian Cancer Society help hope bloom! You likely already know that April is Daffodil Month! Every year, the CCS shares their brightly-coloured floral campaign inviting us to give, volunteer, and support folks living with cancer.

While not every charity is literally bloomin’ flowers, thousands (and we do mean 1,000’s!) of helping organizations are fostering resilience and determination.

They do this by building houses, filling fridges, fostering literacy, providing shelter, and caring for critters of every shape and size. ‘Need a quick dopamine zot? Spend a few hours volunteering at your local animal shelter. Join a walk-run-ride for your charity of choice! Engage your local theatre. Experience the robust earth caring efforts of your local conservation group.

Is anything so effective in bolstering faith in humanity than participating in helping and community?

Here’s where to start looking for inspiration

Remember those thousands of helping organizations? There is nothing quite so inspiring as exploring site after site showcasing the remarkable groups whose mission it is to just make the world a better place!

Have you heard of CanadaHelps? This is the go-to site to begin hope building. You might start your who’s-who of human kindness search with their list of 86,000 charities. You read that right! Or, get behind their “Cause Funds”. These are clusters of groups rallying behind similar causes. Join a local community of like-minded humans compassionately working toward very good ends! Or, if your wish is to make a difference related to an urgent, crisis situation, they have a link for that, too!

So, begin your exploration today. Perhaps there will be hope and motivation to be found in previously unexplored places.

The post Help Hope Bloom | Cancer Care and More appeared first on Donate A Car.

UPDATE: SOLD! You won’t believe this Beauty! Donated Ford Model A in auction-ready condition is a sight to behold! Scroll on for a photo gallery…

The Ford Model A of our dreams!

We could ramble on about this gorgeous classic! But pics of M.L.’s donated 1931 Ford Model A 2D Coupe sing it all:

Donation received! Now what?

Every donated vehicle is assessed for re-sale or recycle value. And you guessed it! This fantastic beast is ready for auction. The sale will be managed by Regal Auctions in Calgary, Alberta. Be sure to follow that link to see even more fabulous photos of the interior! If you can make to the auction, you are most welcome! ‘Can’t make it to the sale? Bidding will be available online, too!

The Ford Model A will go up for sale as-is. It will be sold to the highest bidder. The net proceeds from the sale will go directly to the Canadian Cancer Society. There is no cost or effort to the CCS in this process. Everything will be managed by ourselves here at Donate a Car Canada and Regal Auctions. Finally, CanadaHelps will facilitate getting the tax receipt to the charity so that M.L. can receive their tax receipt!

Do you have a vehicle to donate? Runnin’ or rusty, classic or crush-ready, every car counts! It is so easy. First, fill in an online donation form. Then, wait for your phone to ring (that’s the tow crew calling to arrange your free tow). Finally, watch your inbox. That’s where you’ll find your tax receipt at process end.

We are always a phone call (1-877-250-4904) or an email away. And our FAQ‘s and queries can help if you have questions you’d like answered before you proceed.

Stay tuned!

You will find an update here when M.L.’s classic Ford Model A sells successfully. Find us on Face Book and Instagram for other news and updates regarding donated vehicles. This means of receiving donations is available to any registered Canadian charity. When you follow us you will find hundreds of snippets acknowledging the thousands of donations Canadians make every year. Vehicle donation is a simple, quick, and free way to support the cause you love — and we’re here to keep it that way!

Happy news! We have a sale update!

For those of you following along on this Canadian Cancer Society vintage car donation, we have news! We are happy to report that the Model A was successfully auctioned in late September. The donation outcome? *Drum roll please….* $10,687.50 will be sent to the CCS in the donor’s name. That is a robust donation, and a hearty tax receipt amount, too. Big kudos to this generous donor!

Updated #2: What the donor has to say

Here at Donate a Car Canada we strive for 5 star reviews all the way. Our effort is to ensure that your donation experience is 100% positive. So, when a donor expresses dissatisfaction? Hooboy! Do we ever take it to heart. When a donor is over the moon about their process? We’re over the moon, too!

On a special gift like this donated Ford Model A we know that there is a unique investment on the donor’s side of things. When we heard his thoughts on how it all came together, we were tickled:

“We were able to listen to the live auction and were elated to hear the
outcome.

On behalf of myself and my family, we want to thank you for all of your
advice, guidance, support, research, and networking in helping us to have
the car auctioned-off for a good cause. We appreciate you.

My late Grandparents, as well as my late Dad, all of whom owned and enjoyed
the car at one time or another, would be so happy with this outcome.”

And do we ever appreciate this family! ‘Here’s to your family being next on the happy donor list!

The post Donated for Canadian Cancer Society: 1931 FORD MODEL A 2D COUPE appeared first on Donate A Car.

World Cancer Day: a blend of heart, stats, and hope for the future

World Cancer Day strikes a chord. At the time of this writing I have many loved ones and family members facing their personal Cancer diagnoses head on. I’ve lost people to the disease just this year, and many others over my lifetime. Maybe that rings true for you, too?

The Canadian Cancer Society offers some clear-eyed statistics on just how Canada is affected by this kind of illness as a whole. Their pie charts are not for the faint-of-heart.

And there is now more hope for cure, recovery, and remission than ever before.

The Alberta Cancer Foundation notes, “The impact of a donation is far bigger than any statistic. Your donation and your kindness reaches all over…It touches our neighbours, our friends and our loved ones–those who face cancer today or later down the road.

By donating…you help fund support programs for patients close to home, helping ease their cancer journey, and make life better for patients with cancer when a specific cure is not yet an option. You help us provide immediate assistance when it’s needed most, create inviting spaces for patients to heal, and drive innovative research that will lead to life-saving discoveries.

This impact translates into heartwarming stories. Stories about people. People who are helping others. People who are persevering. People who have left behind legacies that inspire. And so on.”

Your impact on World Cancer Day

Anecdotally, we know that this disease (in its many, many forms) is one of the most impactful in our country. We see this reflected in vehicle donations daily. There are so many ways to care for the charities that are caring about this cause!

If money is tight and resources limited, your time and ingenuity will be welcome. Reach out to the charity that has been supporting you and your loved ones in your own health journeys. Because this is such a cheaky disease, there are many health-related charities specific to the many ways in which Cancer presents. So, you can be specific in the charity you support through that 10K run, or that bottle drive!

If you have an unused or unwanted vehicle, look no further for your simple, quick, and always-free process. We manage every detail of your van, motorcycle, truck, SUV, and car donation. Not only that, your charity will never pay a penny for the service! And, the tow is always free, of course.

The post World Cancer Day appeared first on Donate A Car.

Why would I donate my car for cancer?

Friends, how many of us have been closely affected by some form of cancer? Perhaps you have faced into a diagnosis yourself? Most certainly someone you love has gone toe-to-toe with one form of this disease or another.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society,

“Researchers estimated that there would be 233,900 new cancer cases and 85,100 cancer deaths in Canada in 2022. (The number of estimated new cases does not include non-melanoma skin cancer cases.)

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada and is responsible for 28.2% of all deaths.”

Research, care, education, and all kinds of support are being capably tended in Canada! There are medical professionals, caregivers, and really smart people tackling this enormous issue. For us! One way we can participate in all of that Goodness? We can help fund programs that know how best to get after it! Vehicle donation is one generous way to do that.

Choosing a charity | Your car, your cause!

Donate a Car Canada is set up to serve ANY Canadian charity (and there are thousands of charities in our great country!). Many of them are specific to cancers of all sorts. Some organizations are dedicated to grief support. Children’s cancers and related care are the heartwork of many. Others are all about research and finding cures. Here is a quick list of some of the charities you can keep in mind as you consider vehicle donation:

How do I donate my car for cancer?

This is the easy part! We have a 5 – 10 minute donation form all set up for you. Fill that in and hit the “complete” button. From there, it’s all on us! We will make arrangements for your free pick-up. Our agents will send payment for your vehicle. If the car is recycled, we will see a set return on behalf of your charity of choice (this can be up to $600.00 in the current market). Our agent may be able to re-sell your donated vehicle! In that event, the limit is only as high as buyers are willing to bid!

When a donated car, truck, van, SUV, or motorcycle is put up for bids, the donation outcome can be hearty! This spring saw a donation of just under $2000.00 from one Yaris donor. This is the new normal! We are seeing wonderfully strong sale outcomes in our strangely disrupted re-sale market. This is a great benefit to the charity you love!

There is no cost to you, and there is never any cost to your charity.

We are so excited to work with you on your cancer car donation! We are a click or a call (1-877-250-4904) away and happy to assist.

The post Donate My Car for Cancer appeared first on Donate A Car.

You won’t believe how many happy minivan donors we’ve served in just one month!

Dusty the Dodge Caravan is grand indeed

We love processing minivans for your charity’s vehicle donation program! Here’s what one Grand Caravan donor had to say,

“Our 1997 Dodge Caravan was just picked up by Steven, a tow truck operator
working for the Armstrong agent. The removal went very smoothly.

This whole process has gone smoothly from the beginning. All of you at
Donate A Car Canada have been friendly and a pleasure to deal with. The way
your email instructions are designed are clear and easy to follow.

Thank you so very much for your attention to detail and email follow ups.
We name all the vehicles we’ve ever owned and “Dusty” has carried loads of
Girl Guides on camping trips over the years. It’s been a bit emotional
today saying goodbye to this old safe transporter friend. Thank you for
making it easier for me.” ~ D & K. K. ~

Minivan donation helps Transforming Faces

Dusty’s donors’ charity of choice was Transforming Faces. TF champions kiddos around the world. They believe, “Children born with cleft lip and palate deserve to be supported every step of the way. Comprehensive cleft care makes that possible.”

So many more minivans, so many more charities!

Dusty and his legacy of giving is storied. We share in the gratitude and affection donors have for their long-serving cars, trucks, and vans. These minivans are much more than metal and rubber. They can feel like members of the family!

Many times our donors keep their donation stories close. We aren’t privvy to the deeply personal reasons a charity has been chosen. The reasons for donating are as varied as the donors themselves! So are the charities.

Check out our Dodge Caravan donations from just this past month. Donors gave their 1992’s and their 2002’s…and many more! Below is a quick list to give you an idea of how your charity of choice might be helped. You can find detailed charity mission statements and locations on our charities page if you need a hand making your own choice.

Alberta Cancer Foundation: $120.00 (This one was a remote area Alberta pick-up.)

Canadian Cancer Society received three gifts for $250.00, $3791.25, and $500.00.

Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County: $500.00

Covenant House Vancouver was gifted two Caravans totaling $300.00 and $3140.25!

Diabetes Canada received a scrap-ready donation in BC.

Health Sciences Centre Foundation: $250.00

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada: $300.00

Make-A-Wish Canada: $450.00

People Ensuring Animal Care Exists (P.E.A.C.E) received a scrap-ready donation.

Peterborough Humane Society: $500.00

Pregnancy Care Centre: $310.00

SPCA Newfoundland & Labrador – St. John’s Branch: $100.00

Company minivans help 5 more charities

Canadian companies are generous in their fleet donations. Our Dodge Caravan donors aided these five charities with donations adding up to over $2000.00 on scrap-ready company vans!

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Kidney Cancer Canada

Kids with Cancer Society of Northern Alberta

Rotary Flames House (Alberta Children’s Hospital)

Sudbury Manitoulin Children’s Foundation

Ready to roll with your own donation?

You’ll see from our social media and blog posts that your charity may have a donation program supported by us here at Donate a Car Canada. Donate with very high expectations! You will experience excellent donor care. We will seek the highest dollar return for the charity of choice. Furthermore, your charity does not pay for this service in any way.

We’re just a click or a call (1-877-250-4904) away!

The post Dodge Caravan Donors Care appeared first on Donate A Car.

Creative giving – limitless possibilities

When it comes to creative giving, you get to decide: What kind of giving suits you best? Are you an artist? A cook? Perhaps you have zero time, but a sturdy bank account? Money may be in short supply, but perhaps you have toys or household goods that you no longer need?

The cause you love will benefit from whatever generosity you have to share.

Our charities page offers links to over 1,000 charities in Canada. Many of these organizations have an, “Other Ways to Give” option on their own “Donate” pages. Helping your charity is about so much more than dollars and cents these days!

But don’t stop there! Visit CanadaHelps and explore over 80,000 Canadian causes at-the-ready to receive your gifts!

Vehicle donors make a difference

Each of Donate a Car Canada’s receiving charities is served personally. We craft a vehicle donation program specific to their unique work. That’s our version of “creative giving” and it includes everything from exceptional donor support to color matching!

Furthermore, we’re here to serve car, truck, van, and SUV donors by recycling or re-selling their donated vehicles. Each donor shares in their own creative giving way!

As we’ve been around for over two decades, we’re now seeing many donors return with second donations…or third…or more!

Just this autumn we’ve seen some multi-vehicle donations really add up for their chosen charities.

Some donors and charities to celebrate

We serve six Big Brothers and Big Sisters chapters. This Fall, T.B. donated a snowmobile on behalf of Big Brothers & Big Sisters, York region. Yes, you read that right! A snowmobile for charity! Thanks to agents that happily participate in creative giving, we have often processed motorized wheelchairs, scooters, and snowmobiles for dozens of causes.

But wait! There’s more: this wasn’t the first time T.B. had gifted four wheels through our program. The Canadian Cancer Society was their charity pick the first time they donated through our program. That donation? A Honda Civic. One donor, two vehicles, and two charities helped.

There are double donors…and then there are double-double donors!

Creative giving can’t always come in the shape of a car, or truck. We really get that. But for one of our November donors, clearing the yard of multiple vehicles was just the thing!

The beauty of donating a vehicle is that you tend your Self, your property, and your environment while also supporting your cause. In the case of this generous donor? K.M. gifted four (4!) vehicles. At one time!

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association is set to receive their fourth and final gift from the donor this month-end. To date, they’ve been sent three of four donations.

What did this multi-vehicle donor gift, and what’s in it for the CHAA? A 1998 Ford Focus earned them $450.00, as did his 2002 Ford Edge. The 1999 VW Golf and 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix offered $350.00 each. That’s $1,600.00 for the charity and one tidy driveway for K.M!

Your giving, your way

Understandably, we are not all in a position to donate a vehicle. Donating more than one vehicle may be right out of the question! If your charity’s vehicle donation program fits for you, we’re here to help!

Human kindness comes in so many shapes and sizes and smells (think cookies and hot soup!). If slinging snow from the neighbor’s sidewalk is an easy-do for you? Thank you! That act is Goodness. Write a note. Send some love on social media. Make that overdue phone call. It all matters!

The post Creative Giving This Christmas appeared first on Donate A Car.

It’s a personal thing

If you’re reading this, you could probably write this. Cancer affects all of us. Have you experienced it firsthand? More certainly, you have had a loved one who has.

My earliest memory of the disease was my Grandpa’s long and painful illness. That was almost 50 years ago. That introduction was preamble to the close-call diagnosis of many loved ones. It was the first of dear ones falling ill.

Research and medical practice have made progress, despite the many faces of this disease, in the past few decades. ‘Research and practice made possible, in large part, by donations like yours!

Canadian Cancer Society

The CCS is one of Donate a Car Canada’s most-chosen Cancer charities. It’s easy to see why! It is their vision to foster a world where no one fears cancer. With the support of volunteers and donors, they improve and save lives. They do this by taking a comprehensive approach to their work against more than 100 types of cancer. CCS funds research and provides services to those living with cancer. They are advocates on important cancer-related issues.

Alberta Cancer Foundation

Second on our most-gifted list of receiving Cancer charities is the ACF. Here’s what they value, and how they meet their marks:

Compassion – by meeting the needs of patients, families, donors, staff and volunteers in a caring and compassionate manner.

Collaboration – by working and celebrating as a team, and nurturing partnerships that add value for Albertans.

Boldness – by innovatively discovering and taking balanced risks to continuously improve.

Responsiveness – by grounding the work in purpose, propelling them to be nimble and responsive to opportunities.

Integrity – by being truthful and accountable to each other and to their stakeholders.

Energy – by seizing their purpose with energy and passion, and by bringing a generosity of spirit to everything they do.

Your region, your charity

We have so many unique Cancer charities across Canada! You can choose the charity near you to receive your vehicle donation. To see your options, visit our charities page. You can narrow this by searching, “Cancer,” and you’ll pull up our complete list of related organizations.

Listed there are Cancer care charities for children and their families. Womens’ and mens’ Cancer charities, too. Moreover, camp supports, and services for pets needing treatment are free for the choosing.

The post Cancer Charities in Canada appeared first on Donate A Car.

Multiplying goodness by the Mazda Method

JDRF Canada doesn’t know it yet, but they’ll be receiving a gift close to $1,000.00 from one of this month’s Mazda 3 donors.

And we don’t know how they did it, but our agents picked-up and re-sold a Mazda 5 in teenytown Ontario. The result? A donation of over $1,000.00 to the Canadian Cancer Society!

Mazda donors weigh in

“My Mazda 3 Sport has a large amount of rust, and some damage to the rear bumper and tail light casings…”

“The front subframe is rusted completely through where the lower control arm mounts, and the passenger side lower ball joints are damaged. In my opinion, the car is unsafe to drive on road…”

“Our MPV transmission is a little bit clunky but functions fine and the vehicle was driven from Calgary and Jasper return as recently as last summer. No oil leaks. Rust is present on all 4 wheel wells and the bottom of the front doors.”

Is my Mazda worth $1K?

Mazda donations come in all shapes and sizes. This year we’ve seen 3’s, 5’s, Proteges, Tributes, and MPVs. The list goes on. ‘Ever heard of a Mazda Bongo Friendee? I hadn’t either. A donor gifted one on behalf of CancerCare Manitoba just this past Christmas season. ‘Worth a little Google search, that one is!

The Mazda’s number one donation-value-nemesis in Canada: rust.
Keeping drivers safe means that these chariots get rusted right out from underneath us.

If your Mazda is in rough shape it can still earn valuable charity dollars! In great shape, it will earn more. Whenever possible, our agents will re-sell a vehicle. If it cannot be re-sold, they will recycle it. Donations for recycle-ready cars vary from province to province. Each agent determines what they are able to pay for a vehicle based on curb weight, year/make/model/mileage, and the current metal market.

How can I donate my Mazda?

Donating your car is easy! Our charity choice sets us apart in this industry: you can select any charity in Canada! Our online form takes less than 10 minutes to fill out (be ready with the year/make/model/VIN and it’ll be a breeze). We gladly provide phone support (1-877-250-4904). It takes less than 10 minutes to do the form with us on the phone.

Our agents across the country serve promptly, carefully, and with donation in mind. You’ll get a call from the towing company to arrange service time that works for you. The agent will walk you through any questions you have about your vehicle registration, too.

One recent Google 5 Star reviewer recently said, “It really is as easy as 1-2-3!” That’s what we like to hear! Our donors deserve it, our charities deserve it, you deserve it. We’d love to hear from you!

The post Mazda Donors Make Their Mark appeared first on Donate A Car.

The Dodge Ram was a member of the family. A trip to the local scrap yard just wasn’t an option when it came time to having the truck taken off the road. Yacht rails on the truck were our first clue that the donated ‘97 Dodge had stories to tell!

She had pealing roof-top paint (the result of bathing in the Florida sun) and a hefty number on the odometer! These reminders told of long miles travelled. Crossing borders and safely carrying her cargo, the Dodge Ram gave our donating family many happy memories.

A trusty Dodge Ram as a legacy

When our cars are ready for their last trek, a drop-off at the city metal parts yard won’t always do. We want to see our trusty vehicle continue to serve someone. It may have become too costly or too cumbersome a thing for our own circumstance.  Yet, we can’t bear to see it just get carted off without a little added respect.

When it came time to decide how to make saying goodbye just a little easier, our donor family submitted their adventuring ‘97 truck on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society. Free towing and speedy service were needed as time was a factor. Both were easily managed by our supporting Island agent! The truck was taken into the care of a recycler who loves to tinker and repair.

On the other hand, for some of us,  a quick trip to the junkyard is all we’re looking for. The thought of the scrapper being the last stop may not seem a fitting end for our faithful old vehicle. With hundreds of charities to choose from, you can feel sure of the ongoing and helpful impact of your donation-ready car or truck.

The donation process is simple and quick! In less than 10 minutes you can have your vehicle information to us. From there, we set up your free tow! Your charity will never be charged a penny for this service, and the tax receipt will be to you shortly after we receive payment.

Thank you for considering donating your unused or unwanted car to the charity you love!

The post ’97 Dodge Ram Not Quite Scrap appeared first on Donate A Car.

To put perspective on some of these life altering issues, please allow me to share personal stories about each of the following charities who so deservingly need our support.

ALS Awareness

It’s ALS Awareness month (otherwise known as Lou Gherig’s disease). Several years ago I worked with a gentleman whose wife was diagnosed with ALS. He had to watch the love of his life deteriorate slowly, over a few years. When she passed away, he was a completely broken man. It took a long time for him to recover from his loss. In those moments, it would have been fantastic to have a ray of hope, to have some lifeline to offer her for her agonizing deterioration and for him to not experience that kind of loss for so many years before she was gone.

Please visit one of our charities – The ALS Society of Alberta – for more information about the disease. You can make a difference!

Empathy, awareness, and organizations that help

Watching a baby who needs to have a shunt surgically implanted in his little body to drain the fluid from his brain and watching him endure multiple surgeries before his first birthday, was probably one of the most challenging things I’ve ever experienced – and he wasn’t even my child. His little life encompassed brain injury due to premature birth, along with cerebral palsy. Caring for this wee one to provide relief for my dear friends certainly brought awareness of the things people go through that sometimes we have no understanding of.

These two charities – Spina Bifida/Hydrocephalus Association of Alberta and Brain Trust Canada – impact lives. They help families of those dealing with the challenges that come with both disease and brain injury. They are deserving of the funds they receive to carry on the work of research and family support.

When awareness touches close to home

The other event taking place this month is near and dear to my heart. It is the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. We all know more than one person in our lives who has experienced the ‘C’ word. The ripple effect on the families is enormous. In my immediate world, it was my son. He was diagnosed at the ripe old age of 10 months. We participated in our first Relay when he was 18 months of age. One thing I was naïve about before our experience in the wide world of cancer, was how much of a difference research really does make. Ten years before he was diagnosed, the survival rate for my son’s type of cancer was about 10%. When he was in treatment, the prognosis had changed to a 96% survival rate. Every dollar counts.

For my boy’s 5th Relay for Life Victory Lap in Edmonton he got to lead the pack!

As you consider donating your vehicle to generate funds for a charity you are passionate about, never underestimate the value of your gift. As you can see, lives are being touched daily by people like you, willing to give to better the life of another.

The post June Awareness | Get Involved! appeared first on Donate A Car.