Paralympics in the spotlight

Last night was a late night: I stayed up to watch Canada and the U.S. reach for gold in women’s hockey! There is something truly joyful in cheering for those who have worked hard at what they love. Happily, the thrill of witnessing excellence in sport is just a few days in. There is so much more to come in the weeks ahead!

The Canadian Paralympic Committee reports that the games will run from “March 6 to 15 March 2026 and feature six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboarding, wheelchair curling.”

They go on to say that we could have as many as 600 athletes and up to 79 medal events! Visit the CPC website to learn how, “Paralympic athletes are world-class competitors.” They have “…remarkable stories that can make an impact on people of all ages. Paralympic sport is truly super exciting to watch and follow.”

Cheer the team, care close to home

I am writing this from the comfort of my own couch. In fact, I am barely an armchair athlete, let alone a real athlete! Maybe you can relate?

I am aware of “abilities” and “disabilities” in a different way when an Olympic torchlight shines on Canadians. My work history includes some years spent in respite care (in homes, and in the school system). During those years I worked with children and adults with diverse in strengths and abilities. I have some small understanding of what it takes for our differently abled athletes to get where they are. Competition on a world stage is a playful reminder. Let’s cheer and support our fellows for whom everyday life is made more complicated by unique challenges.

Canada is home to charities whose aim it is to ensure accessibility. They work for equality, and inclusion for all Canadians. To that end, these are community-focused works. Some are working in our schools. Many are passionate about ensuring opportunities in work and sports.

While we cheer the wins and losses of athletes in Beijing this winter, we can support those our athletes represent here at home.

Giving where you care

Your car, truck, van, SUV, or motorcycle can help. An unused, unwanted, and in-the-way car turns into big dollars for charity here at Donate a Car!

A quick definition for clarity on who’s who (from one of our charities, Special Olympics BC):

“Special Olympics is solely for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Paralympics focus more on physical disabilities. The Olympics and Paralympics are about elite competition and specialization…”

Our wish here is simply to bring our attention to our country’s athletes and to all people who are differently abled. That said, are you looking for a charity that is focused on athletics? Look no further! Or, if you prefer to give to a work with a different focus, no problem. Either way, consider one of these groups as your charity of choice:

Cerebral Palsy Alberta

Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA)

Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba

Christian Horizons

CNIB

Connected In Motion

Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary

Edmonton Down Syndrome Society

Elves Special Needs Society

Halton Down Syndrome Association

Inclusion Foothills

March of Dimes Canada

Lower Mainland Down Syndrome Society (LMDSS)

Renfrew Educational Services Society

Special Olympics Calgary

Special Olympics British Columbia Society

Spinal Cord Injury BC

Special Olympics Society of Nova Scotia

Special Olympics Ontario

Saskatchewan Cerebral Palsy Association Inc.

Special Olympics Saskatchewan

Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association

Ups and Downs – Calgary Down Syndrome Association

Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities

Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Winnifred Stewart Foundation

YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region

We’re ready to roll when you are

Our online form takes less than 10 minutes to fill out, if you are ready to go ahead. Donations move along at the pace that suits you best. It is standard for a car to go from “donated” to picked-up within 3 – 5 business days. So, if you have a car that needs to get out of the drive way, we can help in a hurry!

We make estate donations easy, too. This can be a gentle way for an executor or Power of Attorney to care for a loved one.

Not only that, business owners find this process quick and efficient. ‘Need to move old fleet or business vehicles? We can tackle the details and move the units so you don’t have to.

Keep this creative sort of human kindness in mind as you settle into the couch to watch your favourite Olympic sport this winter! Better yet, fill in your donation form while watching your athletes go for gold! We’re one click away…

The post Paralympics | Caring at home appeared first on Donate A Car.

Faith diversity, coast to coast

Curious about the “spectrum of spirituality” in Canada? Explore the Angus Reid/Cardus deep dive into how we practice our faith! As you delve into all this might mean for us as a human community, one thing is sure: Belief is on our minds.

The AR site notes, “Canadians are more likely than not to believe in God or a higher power. One-third (34%) definitely believe in God or a higher power, while three-in-ten (31%) thinks a higher power exists but are less certain.

More than one-third (35%) of Canadians don’t believe or doubt in God or a higher power, a substantial minority that includes many who self-describe as belonging to some of the major religious traditions…”

Here at Donate a Car Canada, our heartwork is to help you support your heartwork. While we may not agree on everything, we can certainly agree that belief, lovingkindness, and generosity matter!

Building your faith based heartwork

When giving to your own faith tradition is one of your core values, we can help. We process car, truck, van, and SUV donations mission and ministry works every month.

We do this be either re-selling or recycling your donated vehicle. Re-sale happens one of two ways: the car is auctioned, or it is re-sold via a private agent. This is managed as-is, to the highest bidder. Explore our socials and you’ll see that we see some hearty returns via this method!

Recycling is the method we use for cars that are ready to come off the road. The donation outcome varies from province to province and is subject to the market. Many of our agents have been serving in this way for more than 10 years! They work hard to ensure we see the highest dollar outcomes possible for your charity.

Is my faith work on the Donate a Car Canada list?

You will not believe how many belief-based works of caring there are in our country! The list is full of heart and diversity. In fact, you can choose any Canadian charity for your car donation. Here are just some of the faith-based causes we serve:

Agape Language Centre

Calvary Pentecostal Church

Catholic Social Services – Sign of Hope

CFS Saskatoon

Choose Life Ministry

Christian Horizons

Christian Horizons Foundation

Evangel Hall Mission

Experience Church

Focus on the Family Canada

Foothills Academy

Fountain of Love and Life

Good Samaritan Society & Good Samaritan Canada

Graceland Ministries

Horizon College and Seminary

Islamic Family and Social Services Association

Jewish Family and Child Service

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Luke 15 House

Luther Village Inc

Missional International Church Network – Canada

Mt. Arrowsmith Salvation Army

Muslim Food Bank Society

River Christian Reformed Community Church

Seagrave United Church

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Corpus Christi

Society of Saint-Vincent de Paul

Sri Anagha Datta Society of Calgary

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

The Neighbourhood Alliance Church

The Salvation Army

WorldServe Ministries

Wycliffe Bible Translators Canada

Easy as 1-2-3!

Donating to your faith work is simple, quick, and joyful! Our online form will take you less than 10 minutes to complete. You can call in if you prefer to talk to a friendly human! Once we have your information we’ll get you set up with your free tow. The agent will help with all particulars related to registration/ownership, and they will send us payment for the vehicle in a timely manner. From there it’s just a matter of time until we disburse your donation to your charity of choice!

If the cause you love is missing from our list, no problem! You will be given the opportunity to name your preferred charity. We will connect with them and get them set up to receive ongoing donations in this way (if they wish to be part of the offering)!

All are welcome, and will be served with curiosity and kindness!

The post You Gotta’ Have Faith appeared first on Donate A Car.