Tag: Donate My Car

Full-size Cars

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Knowing the Industry, Making a Difference

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!

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Beagle Paws

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference

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.

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My Junk Car, a Charity Treasure

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Knowing the Industry, Making a Difference
My Junk Car

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!

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MS Society of Canada| Your Charity of Choice

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference, You and Your Health
MS SocietyThe MS Society of Canada works to ensure that no one faces MS alone. In communities across Canada, their volunteers and staff provide information, support, educational events, and other resources for people with MS and their families.  Continue reading "MS Society of Canada| Your Charity of Choice" →

How Can I Make a Difference?

Posted by Sandra on in Blog, Making a Difference
Make A DifferenceWe know that you make a difference! Here at Donate a Car we love Autumn. Fall means a surge in donations for our hundreds of receiving charities, and our small team of wonder women is going to be working flat out to care for you, your donation, and your charity of choice. But your impact on your world is more than just the donations you make. Continue reading "How Can I Make a Difference?" →

Autism Awareness Day: Autism Ontario

Posted by Sandra on in Making a Difference

Autism AwarenessWorld Autism Awareness Day, is April 2nd. Autism Ontario's Raise the Flag campaign, through the simple act of raising a flag, unites families, schools, communities, government and professionals in recognizing World Autism Awareness Day, and brings to light the struggles and triumphs of people on the autism spectrum. Continue reading "Autism Awareness Day: Autism Ontario" →

Car Donation Scams & Who You Can Trust

Posted by Sandra on in Knowing the Industry
Car Donation Avoid Car Donation Scams. Here at Donate a Car Canada we want to encourage you to check us out so you feel completely confident in the process before submitting your car donation. As members in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and having been in business for over 8 years, we are proud to have sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities across Canada. When you review our respected charity listing, you will see that some of Canada's national charities place their confidence in us and receive funds from our program on a regular basis. Continue reading "Car Donation Scams & Who You Can Trust" →