Giving starts with the heart…

We give where we care (and, sometimes, where we hurt). I didn’t think much about donating to cancer charities until my Grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer and my Grandpa with cancer in his intestines. Diabetes is a cause that tugs at me because I have many dear friends who wrestle with it daily. Maybe you relate? The charity that rescues, supports, warms, and educates in the places (and with the people and creatures) that you love is probably the one that you readily share your hard-earned resources with.

…and giving works through our hands

Those resources come at a cost to you. The work of your back and brain and hands makes it possible for you to have enough to live, and enough to share — even if it puts the financial squeeze on in another area of your life. There’s something about this that is actually rich with gratitude. As Thanksgiving has arrived, we find ourselves considering how often “thanks” and generosity go hand-in-hand.

What does Donate a Car Canada do with your giving?

Our role here at DACC is to facilitate the pick-up and re-sale, or recycling, of your donation-ready vehicle. Every vehicle counts! Car or truck, SUV or motorcycle. Seasonally, we can even do some motorhomes and boats! We have supporting agents that manage the free transport. These capable, market-savvy companies then recycle the vehicle, or put it up for re-sale. The net proceeds go to your chosen charity. That’s right! You choose the charity. ANY registered charity in Canada can be chosen!

How does the giving add up?

Donations like yours add up and add up and add UP.

It is not a stretch to say that we see donations upwards of $9,000.00 and $29,000.00. Children’s hospitals and local SPCAs can draw many vehicle donors each month. Other organizations that captured hearts in the summer months are those reaching out to children and marginalized women. If vehicles are recycled (instead of re-sold) donations average around $400.00. And our donors who are mindfully caring for the planet contributed to many charities, allowing us to send some of those smaller amounts across the board.

One Habitat for Humanity supporter donated their Toyota Camry and wrote, “Thank you, We loved our experience with Donate a Car. When I called to ask questions, someone spoke to me promptly, and they were really kind and helpful. I liked the email that I got, asking if I did still want to donate, since I’d started the form, but not finished it online. The garage that came and picked up the car was great to talk to, and the driver who picked it up was very sweet. We’d absolutely recommend this to our friends.”

Are you ready to make a difference?

You may be ready to move an old(er) or unused car off of your driveway? Maybe you’re tired of paying storage fees on a vehicle that just isn’t getting the attention you expected it would? We can help! First, fill in an online donation form. Click the red button below and in less than 10 minutes you will be all set to hear your next steps. Then, wait for your agent’s phone call. They will arrange your free pick-up/tow at a time that suits you well. Finally, watch your inbox for your tax receipt. Simple. Quick. Free — for donor and charity alike!

We look forward to serving you and your charity in the months ahead!

The post Thanks Giving | Giving it all We’ve Got appeared first on Donate A Car.

Goodwill in Canada

Alive and well across our remarkable country, goodwill is a life practice for many Canadians. It’s a brand. It’s a state-of-affairs in the world of business:

Goodwill refers to the value a company gets from its brand, customer base and reputation associated with its intellectual property.

BDC

Just this past April, CTV News reported on a unique new shopping experience that Goodwill Industries has launched in Calgary,

Customers can get deep discounts because bins are filled with items that have been at Goodwill stores for a while – everything from clothing, household goods, sports equipment and books. Items are not sorted, so you never know what you’re going to find. Bins are put out for about 20 minutes, then anything left inside gets recycled, and new bins come out.

CTV News, Goodwill Launches New Shopping Experience

For the stuff that won’t fit in the Goodwill bins

Our live telephone line often gets calls about clothing and furniture donations. We would love to be able to support our charities by processing all such things for them!

But, we are a specialized service: we are all about goodwill in the shape of your car.

We have also been known to process motorized wheelchairs, utility trailers, and the odd garden tractor! In fact, we do manage the donation of several boats and travel trailers every year, too.

For the most part, it’s all about your van, truck, SUV, car, or motorcycle. Our coast-to-coast agents mix their own goodwill into the process! Through re-selling or recycling your vehicle we are able to send hundreds of thousands of dollars to Canadian charities each year.

Looking for ways to spread goodwill your way?

Did you know that there are thousands (thousands!) of charities in Canada? Pop over to our charities page to explore the organizations that are directly partnered with us here at Donate a Car Canada for a start. Looking for a broader list of who’s who? Check out CanadaHelps! They are an astonishingly complete resource of just how many Canadian causes there are for us all to participate in.

Find the local, country-wide, or global cause that matches your own passion. Connect with them. And then find a way to give, serve, help, or resource them. Every year there are charitable runs, walks, rolls, and swims to help raise funds for charity.

There is certainly a cause and a charity that will match you where you care the most!

Check out Vic the Vulture to learn more…

Curious to learn more about how sharing goodwill works here at Donate a Car? Check out a few of our blogs! Learn about legacy giving, or eveh how your tax receipt amount is determined!

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, too. There you will be able to keep up-to-date on posts. We love to showcase amazing donors and charities in every province in Canada!

The post Goodwill | Bins and Beyond appeared first on Donate A Car.

In a December article, Kevin Press (for The Huffington Post) says it well,

“Economic growth remains stubbornly soft… In October, the International Monetary Fund predicted just 1.2 per cent growth for Canada this year and 1.9 per cent next year. Eight years after the financial crisis, our economy has yet to break out of its funk. Canadians are feeling it, personally.“

Impact felt across Canada

Press goes on to say, “Money worries exist across income levels, and across the country. A new study fielded by Ipsos has found that three in 10 Canadians say they feel insecure about their financial health, defined as ‘a state of overall well-being where a person can fully meet current and future financial obligations to enjoy the things that matter most in life.'”

And when we feel it personally, that impacts our giving practices

“Charitable giving in Canada has dropped to a 10-year low,” said Charles Lammam, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute. The Global news article states that, “Canadians are becoming less generous…”

We heartily disagree with the generosity of Canadians lessening. But we do know that donors are less able to part with their hard-earned dollars. Decisions about what to spend our money on are subject to closer scrutiny. We feel the pinch of pressing commitments and financial obligations. And, despite that money stress, we desire to support the causes we care about.

Stress can lead to suspicion

We’ve also seen a shift in the level of stress and strain you bring to your follow-up process. There is a worried suspicion that the business you are dealing with is trying to withhold, or (worse!) is dishonest.

Donate a Car Canada has been in business for over two decades. We are proud to act with integrity on behalf of all of our donors. This shows in the way that your tax receipts reflect the fluctuations of a volatile metal market. We will carefully manage your donation particulars. We will be sure to keep you informed. If in doubt, call our toll free line. Sometimes connecting with someone in person provides more reassurance than written documentation. We are always delighted to hear from you.

Whatever your circumstance, we are hopeful that 2017 is a year of solid footing financially, and that you find yourself in good health, surrounded by people who like you quite a lot! If we can help enhance the year with a gift to your charity via vehicle donation, give us a call, or click the button below and we’ll be at your service.

The post Money Stress Impacts Canadian Donors and Charities appeared first on Donate A Car.