We think it’s about time you knew some ‘behind-the-scenes’ information about how our agents’ involvement makes a difference for you, our donors!

Donate A Car operates by connecting with agents (towing companies, salvage yards, auction houses) across the country. They share our vision and process.  We invite them to participate in the joy of facilitating donations to charities nationwide. Then, when you submit your vehicle for donation, we assign it to one of those agents. They pick up or auction it on your behalf — for free!

Recently one of our family-run salvage yards participated in what turned out to be a really cool experience. And not just for them! For them, for our donor, and for our Donate A Car team. Oh! And for the charity the donor selected (in this case, the MS Society)!

Wheelin’ in a Unique Donation for the MS Society!

Talk about an interesting scenario! A Calgary woman offered her used electric wheelchair as a donation to the MS Society. At first we were unsure if we could help her with it. Although it had wheels, it wasn’t really considered a ‘vehicle’! A Calgary agent agreed to take it but then suggested it go to their sister site in Edmonton. The had a hunch that the Edmonton locale’s style of auction would get a better donation result. They then generously offered to transport the chair from Calgary to Edmonton at no charge.

In the big scheme of things, we would never have guessed what that wheelchair would bring at auction because we’ve never had the opportunity to do this before. I don’t know that any of us anticipated that it would generate almost $600.00 in a charitable amount being given to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Woot!

What we didn’t know at the time was that the owner of the company was all over that sale. The gentleman who bought the used wheelchair is a regular attender at the Edmonton auction site. He requires the use of a wheelchair. When the compassionate auction owner discovered it was one of his ‘regulars’ who’d purchased the wheelchair he said, “I wouldn’t hear of him paying for that chair so I just went ahead and covered the cost for him. ‘Just paid for it!”

These are the moments we know we’re in the right place at the right time doing the right thing with the right people!

Thank you to all of our agent who, daily, make a difference on behalf of donors and charities alike! The MS Society and thousands (Yes – actual thousands!) more. You’ve got a lot of heart!

The post Our Agents Have Heart: MS Society Receives Unique Gift appeared first on Donate A Car.

Elections, Canada, and constructive conversation

It’s time! I can zip downtown to vote (early) in my riding in small-town Alberta today. I’ve just given a listen to some of the English debate. It’s time for me to make a decision about how I will mark my ballot.

I’m a gal from a very specific demographic: 50+ year-old white woman, born and raised in Western Canada. I had the luxury of a middle-class upbringing, including a bit of post-secondary education. A very specific demographic.

I listen to the debates with clear understanding that the bias I hold may be different from the bias of my (dear!) neighbors. Our views are rarely the same. Polarization is boss right now. On all issues, it seems. A dash of hope popped up on one of my neighborhood walks last week. I noticed a lawn sign that jumped out. It read, “There is no room for hate here.” That. How can we, despite our so-many-feelings perspectives, move toward that.

O, Canada!

Elections Canada is doing the work of keeping our democracy chugging along. It’s ok! Insert opinions here, and we’ll make space for them all, right? The fact that we’re all free to have our opinions is gift.

What can we do while the process does what the process does?

So. Many. Things!

Even while we feel a bit off-kilter and unsure of ourselves (and each other…and the whole world), we can continue to be our most beautiful selves.

We can be kind. We can respect one another’s right to think, believe, hope, resist. It’s important to be curious and critical. Building our communities and supporting our front-line workers is necessary. We can buy locally, tip generously, and take loving care of our families.

And we can take care of each other. Even if we don’t see eye-to-eye. Because that’s what Canadians do.

Going bigger

Over the years I’ve benefitted from Elections Canada work. I’ve been a DRO and an RO and other role names I don’t recall. I’ve scrawled my initials across many ballots and wrangled some really (really!) big, angry voters. On one occasion, I even chased — and captured — a dog through one of Western Canada’s busiest polling stations! Not my most graceful (or gracious) moment in doing my civic duty, but certainly my most memorable.

A small kindness that may make a big difference? Thank those who are working for 18-plus hours on election day. They’re going to be counting our votes until late in the night. Not for big bucks. Because they care about this process.

Thousands of charities are yours for the choosing

If you want to go super-big in our aim for being the very best sorts of humans we can be, consider our Canadian charities.

Charities coast-to-coast have been hit hard by…well…by all of The Things. Your vehicle donation (running, or broken down) can make such a difference for any Canadian charity you love!

Our donation form takes less than 10 minutes to fill out (either over the phone – 1-877-250-4904, or via our online form). Your tow is free and usually happens within 1 – 5 business days. And you receive a tax receipt from your chosen charity!

If this sounds like a way that you’d love to care for your country in confusing times, we’re here to keep the process simple, quick, free, and friendly!

The post Elections Canada appeared first on Donate A Car.

Former donations processor shares her story

Several years ago I faced the crushing news that my 10 month old son had cancer. I learned he would require surgery to remove his kidney and the tumour attached to it.  He went on to be subjected to 6 months of chemotherapy to ensure all the cancerous cells were destroyed. I had driven by that hospital countless times never thinking about what actually went on there. The lives impacted daily, the challenges both families and staff faced as they cared for those in need, were not really on my radar then.

We received donations of things like a duffel bag filled with items helpful with a hospital stay. When you’re in crisis you don’t always think of the little things.

Volunteers from different organizations provided support in so many ways. We even experienced a wish being granted and my son having his dream come true – meeting Mickey Mouse! I wanted him to go swimming with the dolphins but…!

Help at the right time

In times when things look bleak and emotions are drained, charitable organizations that are established to support families like ours are invaluable. I cannot begin to tell you how much all the little things meant throughout the healing process. The donations that made those little things part of our reality were priceless gifts.

At that time my son’s prognosis was very good – a 96% chance of survival. Ten years prior to that, the survival rate was at 10% for his type of cancer. A far cry from the good news I’d been given! The education I received throughout those months created a new awareness of just how much research and development means to those in the future. Crucial donation dollars build many aspects of the process and the effects on the quality of a person’s life.

Suffice it to say my outlook has been forever altered and my compassion for others is pretty apparent. Taking on this role with Donate A Car Canada has provided an opportunity for me to see firsthand how lives are changed and impacted through the donations of others. Moreover, it allows others to give in a way that we wouldn’t always consider!

Four wheeled donations

Within each one of us is an innate desire to help others and to make a difference somehow. In an environment where ‘giving back’ seems to be the buzz word, many people are left wondering how they can do that while trying to make ends meet themselves. As we endeavour to look after our environment, change our habits and find a way to give back, Donate A Car offers a great alternative for several reasons.

1. Donating your vehicle does not require a cash outlay. Furthermore, it generates a charitable tax receipt.
2. Donating through our program affords you the opportunity to give to the charity of your choice. To that end, if you don’t see the charity you are passionate about listed, provide their information in the notes. From there we will pursue getting your charity registered with us.
3. All charities listed are registered and are in good standing with the Government of Canada.
4. We secure environmentally friendly services when recycling a vehicle is required.
5. Free towing service is available in most locations across the country. Moreover, we’ll do our utmost to find service on your behalf where it doesn’t already exist.
6. Last, but certainly not least, charities do not pay any fees whatsoever to participate in our program.

One of my most rewarding activities at Donate A Car is generating and sending cheques at the end of each month to our charities, knowing that we too are making a difference in people’s lives both nationally and internationally. It’s a pretty cool feeling.

You may never fully know the impact you are having on others through your donations but believe me when I say, we who are on the receiving end of your generosity are truly grateful!

The post Donations DO Make a Difference! appeared first on Donate A Car.