Support for Canadian seniors comes in all shapes and sizes

Around here, every car counts! One senior-supporting donor knows this better than most: he’s donated seven (7!!) vehicles in 2025! We’ve noted the LeSabre ($200.00 for the charity), the Pilot ($430.00 donation), and the Colorado (donation TBD). Here are a few more multi-wheeled wonders from the same fellow:

2007 Toyota Sienna (a $550.00 donation)

GMC 2500 4 Wheel Drive ($200.00 gift)

2001 Saturn SC1 (Another $275.00 for the charity)

2011 GMC Acadia (donation TBD)

When you donate a vehicle through Donate a Car Canada, you can choose your charity. ANY registered Canadian charity can be your recipient. Who did our multi-vehicle donor choose? For EVERY donation he made? Seniors Outreach – Kneehill County! Those gifts really add up!

With a mission to, “…enhance the quality of life for Kneehill County seniors and their families by empowering citizens through volunteerism, services, and advocacy,” they are home to exceptional services and programs for seniors in Alberta. This one vehicle donor’s commitment to this demographic in his community is an inspiration! His donation dollars will go a long way to keeping the wheels on the county “bus”.

Legacy building and estate giving

And calling all seniors! I’m one of you, now. Hoooboy, has this season in my life ever snuck up on me! One of the things I’ve recently wrapped up in a tidy bow is my will and estate plan. What a task!

If this is a consideration in the works for you, here’s a reminder to include your vehicle in the process. The individuals (likely people we care deeply about) who will be taking care of the stuff we leave behind will be grateful for our attention to this detail.

You can extend the story of your vehicle by stipulating its donation when you pass away.

Estate vehicle donation is something we tend every day here. The process is simple, quick, and free. For all of the nitty-gritty, give our post, “Estate Vehicle Donation” a read. it will answer all of the questions you didn’t even know you had!

Support for Canadian seniors rollin’ along, year after year

If you currently have an unused or unwanted vehicle that you are ready to donate, you’re a few clicks away from done! Visit CanadaHelps if you are unsure of your charity of choice. Or, take a few minutes to scan through the extensive charity list that you’ll see when you’re working through the online donation form.

The form itself will take less than ten minutes.

Once we have your vehicle particulars we’ll assign you to a transport agent. They will call you to arrange your free tow! This can be timed to suit you perfectly. At process end, after your gift has been disbursed to your chosen charity, you will receive a tax receipt via email.

Simple. Quick. Free!

We can’t wait to work with you in your support for Canadian seniors! And, if you are a senior, we’re delighted to work alongside you in honouring your chosen charity.

The post Support For Canadian Seniors |Seven Vehicle Donor Wows! appeared first on Donate A Car.

It’s time to strap on your shoes and walk for the cause you love

Earlier this year I had the happy luck of being part of the Coldest Night of the Year walk to end hurt, hunger, and homelessness. It was a light-hearted way to get a little exercise while doing some good. Embarking on a walk for a cause that is meaningful for you is a rewarding experience of community and caring.

As we move deeper into spring and summer, you’ll find there are many charities hosting their own walks, runs, rides, and golf tournaments. There’s something really connected about partnering action (especially playful action) with fund raising. Making a difference while also enjoying other likeable humans and the Canadian outdoors? It’s a perfect pairing!

Who can I walk for this year?

We’re glad you asked!

Here are just a few of the upcoming “Walk For,” “Ride For,” “Run For,” “Golf For” events in Canada:

The Schizophrenia Society of Alberta hosts their Strides of Hope Walk in May.

The Walk to End ALS is happening across Canada! Visit their site to find a wander near you.

Another event in May is the Walk for Alzheimer’s for the Alzheimer’s Society.

You can Cycle for Autism in Edmonton!

Can’t get out to the local park? The Huntington Society hosts, Virtual Walk Weekend for their cause.

Raise your paws for guide dogs! The Canadian Guide Dogs is hosting Dollars for Dogs!

Your local hospice will be participating in the Hike for Hospice, and Prostate Canada will ramp up their Father’s Day Walk/Run for prostate cancer soon, too.

If your more of a “sit for” charity kind of human…

Not everyone is up for a walk for this-or-that! Time is tight, finances are pinchy, and energy can be in short supply. If walking-riding-running or whacking a ball around a perfectly good patch of grass is not your thing, no problem!

Canadian charities need any support you can offer. Some are in a position to receive Gifts In Kind. So, think clothing, furniture, food. Did you know that many second hand shops are actually set up to raise funds? So, when you go shopping, you are actually aiding a cause. Those same shops will accept the items you no longer need or want. Donate them!

Of course, the primary need of every helping organization is funding. Every crinkle in the economy, every disruption to postal service — it’s a whollop. Charities feel these fluctuations keenly. Your financial gift matters so very much.

And then there us! If you have an unused or unwanted vehicle, we will re-sell or recycle it for any charity in Canada. For real! There are over 80,000 to choose from, and any one of them can be the recipient of your vehicle donation. The process is simple, quick, free, and friendly.

When the rubber hits the road

Whether you’re taking to the road in your sneakers, up on two wheels, or tucked into a golf cart, you can be part of helping your charity help others. And if you have four wheels that are ready to roll for your cause, we’re a click or a call away!

The post Walk For *Insert Charity Name Here appeared first on Donate A Car.

Donating an estate vehicle: Why leave a legacy in this way?

It’s the beginning of May (as I sit down to refresh this post). May is #LeaveALegacyMonth! Could donating an estate vehicle be part of expanding you, or your loved one’s, legacy? We think so!

Managing the estate vehicle donation process is part of our every day here at Donate a Car Canada. If you are looking for our quick, simple, how-to, just scroll down to, “Common questions,” or to the bottom of this post. You’ll see, “The 1-2-3 of estate vehicle donation.” We can assist in managing your own estate, or that of a dear one.

If you are still researching your options for this kind of donation, we appreciate that process.

Donating an estate vehicle is a personal and intentional decision. Donors come to it in so many different circumstances. We have experience in supporting estates where there has been a long illness, and those where death is untimely. A few years ago a donor donated her vehicle because she was terminally ill and had chosen to go the route of medically assisted death so that she wouldn’t be suffering through the lengthy health battles.

One of our staff recalls,

She was such a lovely woman and, because we knew the date that she’d chosen for her passing, we organized the paperwork being signed and set up the tow schedule for her vehicle around that so that it was all taken care of before she passed. This way her loved ones didn’t have to worry about any of it.

We can absolutely help to organize the donation ahead of time so that family members and loved ones are prepared to activate the donation once the time comes.

Legacy giving to match your unique circumstance

Much of our estate vehicle donation process is built around those filling the roll of executor/trix, or Power of Attorney. In these circumstances, the one tasked with settling the estate often chooses a charity that reflects the one who has died.

At the time of this writing we are processing donations for twelve families. The charities chosen reflect the lifelong loves of the vehicle owners. Nature, wildlife, and local animal shelters will be beneficiaries of these gifts! Other families are gifting charities that have served them in the final days and months of their loved one’s time. Local hospice, Cancer, Diabetes, heart health, and mental health organizations will be helped by these estates, as will homelessness and education charities.

When the one we love leaves a vehicle behind

“I’m the executrix for my loved one’s estate. He left us a 1998 Honda. How can I donate it?”

Donating an estate vehicle is a simple and capably tended process here. We facilitate hundreds of such gifts every year; we well understand that your circumstances are unique. No two estates settle out in quite the same way. If you are an executor/trix, or have power of attorney, you have a LOT on your heart and mind. Furthermore, you have likely been asked the same questions by virtually every professional you have encountered! There have probably been a few speedbumps along the way.

We are here to make donating your loved one’s vehicle quick, easy, free, and loving. Equally important? We are here to help extend their legacy.

I’m planning my own estate car donation

You may be coming to us in the process of your own estate planning. We are here to come alongside you with care, efficiency, and even a little good humour when the moment is right.

Common questions about donating an estate vehicle

For quick answers to your estate vehicle donation questions, we welcome your call at 1-877-250-4904. This is a live phone line (with real, funny, kind, and knowledgeable people on this end), Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm MT.

Here are a few most commonly asked questions about estate donation:

1) How do we fill in your form to show that it’s an estate vehicle?

The online donation form has a menu that will allow you to select the estate vehicle donation option. There are also empty spaces on the form where you can offer as much, or as little, detail as you wish. Some donors even make special notes to the charity on the form! For example, they might say something like, “I would like to make this donation in honour of my dad. He cared so much about the arts, and I know that this gift to Rosebud Theatre would mean a lot to him.”

2) What paperwork do we need to provide when donating an estate vehicle?

Typically, all that is required is the vehicle registration. If the vehicle is being recycled, a copy will suffice. If the car is in a condition to be re-sold, the original document will be required.

We will provide an email trail of every detail of your donation process so that you have clear documentation for the estate.

3) If we can’t find keys/registration for the car, will you still take it?

Yes. In most cases our agents are able to provide service even if the keys or registration are missing. We will walk you through the process on your own unique estate vehicle donation. Please note: if the keys and registration are missing it will likely mean that the vehicle will need to be recycled. We cannot re-sell vehicles without proper documentation.

4) We live in a different city/province from the vehicle. Do we have to be there when it’s picked up?

No, you do not usually need to be present at tow time. That said, in British Columbia and Quebec there are some extra documents required when letting go of a vehicle. These require signing by those with authority to do so. This may mean that this paperwork will need to be sent to our agents by regular mail if you cannot be present at pick-up time.

5) Can I have the tax receipt issued in my own name (instead of it going to the estate)?

It depends if the estate has been closed yet, or not: 

If the final taxes on the estate have not been completed yet, the tax receipt must be issued in the estate’s name.

If the final taxes are done, then the spouse/next of kin is considered the legal owner of the vehicle. In this case the tax receipt can be made in their name.

Your charity of choice

The cause that your loved one cared about is ready to receive their estate car donation. You can choose any Canadian charity as the recipient for this gift! For some, this is a healing part of the complexity of grief. Knowing that the heartwork of their mum, dad, sibling, or child is being helped offers comfort.

In some cases, the owner of the car may have been ill for a time. If that is true for you, a donation can be made to a charity that is involved in research and care specific to that disease. Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease causes are top-of-heart for many donors. The hospice that offered end of life care can also be named.

On the other hand, you and your family may wish to spread cheer in a different way. If you can imagine a cause, Canada has a charity to support it! Sharing your loved one’s car donation with The Donkey Sanctuary might bring a little kick to the process.

The 1-2-3 of donating an estate vehicle

Every vehicle donation is unique to the Giver, but there are a few things that are steady-on.

1. Our donation form will take you less than 10 minutes to complete. We can do it over the phone for you if you prefer to connect with a caring person. Just call in to 1-877-250-4904 and we’ll take quick and thorough care! The form will allow you to name yourself as the POA/Executor/Trix, or simply as next of kin. There are times when the gift must be made in the name of the estate. Sometimes it will be simple to have the donation issued in the name of the next of kin. We can assist with this if you are unsure.
2. Then, sit back and wait for the tow agent to call: Your free tow typically happens within 1 – 5 business days. The agent will call and discuss options that suit you best. This will be made as simple for you as possible. If you live in a location where this is more complicated, we’ll have your back on that, too!
3. Finally, our agent will pay us. Your charity of choice then receives the net proceeds from the re-sale or recycling of the vehicle. You receive your tax receipt by email. In addition, you will receive emails at each important juncture of the donation process. This includes the tax receipt, of course. All will ensure that you have a healthy email trail for estate purposes as well.

Next steps

By now you may have gathered: we are just a click or a call away.

We are here to make this aspect of caring for your loved one seamless and simple.

‘Not quite ready to donate? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! There you will get an overall feel for how we care for each other and our charities. This is a caring community, here to serve you.

The post Donating an Estate Vehicle appeared first on Donate A Car.

"Everything was so wonderfully simple. Emails were returned promptly and the mechanic was great. It was one of the easiest transactions that I had to do as far as the passing of my Father and coping with my Daughters illness(coping with my loved one's estate). We all live in different cities, yet no one had to be on sight and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you." 

~ Honda donor for humane society

Estate vehicle donation: Why leave a legacy in this way?

Managing the estate vehicle donation process is part of our every day here at Donate a Car Canada. If you are looking for our quick, simple, how-to, just scroll down to, “Common questions,” or to the bottom of this post. You’ll see, “The 1-2-3 of estate vehicle donation.” We can assist in managing your own estate, or that of a dear one.

If you are still researching your options for this kind of donation, we appreciate that process.

Estate vehicle donation is a personal and intentional decision. Donors come to it in so many different circumstances. We have experience in supporting estates where there has been a long illness, and those where death is untimely. A few years ago a donor donated her vehicle because she was terminally ill and had chosen to go the route of medically assisted death so that she wouldn’t be suffering through the lengthy health battles.

One of our staff recalls,

She was such a lovely woman and, because we knew the date that she’d chosen for her passing, we organized the paperwork being signed and set up the tow schedule for her vehicle around that so that it was all taken care of before she passed. This way her loved ones didn’t have to worry about any of it.

We can absolutely help to organize the donation ahead of time so that family members and loved ones are prepared to activate the donation once the time comes.

Legacy giving to match your unique circumstance

Much of our estate vehicle donation process is built around those filling the roll of executor/trix, or Power of Attorney. In these circumstances, the one tasked with settling the estate often chooses a charity that reflects the one who has died.

At the time of this writing we are processing donations for thirteen families. The charities chosen reflect the lifelong loves of the vehicle owners. Nature, wildlife, and local animal shelters will be beneficiaries of these gifts! Other families are gifting charities that have served them in the final days and months of their loved one’s time. Local hospice, Cancer, Diabetes, heart health, and mental health organizations will be helped by these estates.

When the one we love leaves a vehicle behind

“I’m the executrix for my loved one’s estate. He left us a 1998 Honda. How can I donate it?”

Estate vehicle donation is a simple and capably tended process here. We facilitate hundreds of such gifts every year; we well understand that your circumstances are unique. No two estates settle out in quite the same way. If you are an executor/trix, or have power of attorney, you have a LOT on your heart and mind. Furthermore, you have likely been asked the same questions by virtually every professional you have encountered! There have probably been a few speedbumps along the way.

We are here to make donating your loved one’s vehicle quick, easy, free, and loving. Equally important? We are here to help extend their legacy.

I’m planning my own estate car donation

You may be coming to us in the process of your own estate planning. We are here to come alongside you with care, efficiency, and even a little good humour when the moment is right.

Common questions about donating an estate car

For quick answers to your estate vehicle donation questions, we welcome your call at 1-877-250-4904. This is a live phone line (with real, funny, kind, and knowledgeable people on this end), Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm MT.

Here are a few most commonly asked questions about estate donation:

1) How do we fill in your form to show that it’s an estate vehicle?

The online donation form has a menu that will allow you to select the estate vehicle donation option. There are also empty spaces on the form where you can offer as much, or as little, detail as you wish. Some donors even make special notes to the charity on the form! For example, they might say something like, “I would like to make this donation in honour of my dad. He cared so much about the arts, and I know that this gift to Rosebud Theatre would mean a lot to him.”

2) What paperwork do you need for us to donate the car?

Typically, all that is required is the vehicle registration. If the vehicle is being recycled, a copy will suffice. If the car is in a condition to be re-sold, the original document will be required.

We will provide an email trail of every detail of your donation process so that you have clear documentation for the estate.

3) If we can’t find keys/registration for the car, will you still take it?

Yes. In most cases our agents are able to provide service even if the keys or registration are missing. We will walk you through the process on your own unique estate vehicle donation. Please note: if the keys and registration are missing it will likely mean that the vehicle will need to be recycled. We cannot re-sell vehicles without proper documentation.

4) We live in a different city/province from the vehicle. Do we have to be there when it’s picked up?

No, you do not need to be present at tow time. That said, in British Columbia and Quebec there are some extra documents required when letting go of a vehicle. These require signing by those with authority to do so. This may mean that this paperwork will need to be sent to our agents by regular mail.

5) Can I have the tax receipt issued in my own name (instead of it going to the estate)?

It depends if the estate has been closed yet or not: 

If the final taxes on the estate have not been completed yet, the tax receipt must be issued in the estate’s name.

If the final taxes are done, then the spouse/next of kin is considered the legal owner of the vehicle. In this case the tax receipt can be made in their name.

Your charity of choice

The cause that your loved one cared about is ready to receive their estate car donation. You can choose any Canadian charity as the recipient for this gift! For some, this is a healing part of the complexity of grief. Knowing that the heartwork of their mum, dad, sibling, or child is being helped offers comfort.

In some cases, the owner of the car may have been ill for a time. If that is true for you, a donation can be made to a charity that is involved in research and care specific to that disease. Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease causes are top-of-heart for many donors. The hospice that offered end of life care can also be named.

On the other hand, you and your family may wish to spread cheer in a different way. If you can imagine a cause, Canada has a charity to support it! Sharing your loved one’s car donation with The Donkey Sanctuary might bring a little kick to the process.

The 1-2-3 of estate vehicle donation

Every vehicle donation is unique to the Giver, but there are a few things that are steady-on.

1. Our donation form will take you less than 10 minutes to complete. We can do it over the phone for you if you prefer to connect with a caring person. Just call in to 1-877-250-4904 and we’ll take quick and thorough care! The form will allow you to name yourself as the POA/Executor/Trix, or simply as next of kin. There are times when the gift must be made in the name of the estate. Sometimes it will be simple to have the donation issued in the name of the next of kin. We can assist with this if you are unsure.
2. Then, sit back and wait for the tow agent to call: Your free tow typically happens within 1 – 5 business days. The agent will call and discuss options that suit you best. This will be made as simple for you as possible. If you live in a location where this is more complicated, we’ll have your back on that, too!
3. Finally, our agent will pay us. Your charity of choice then receives the net proceeds from the re-sale or recycling of the vehicle. You receive your tax receipt by email. In addition, you will receive emails at each important juncture of the donation process. This includes the tax receipt, of course. All will ensure that you have a healthy email trail for estate purposes as well.

Next steps

By now you may have gathered: we are just a click or a call away.

We are here to make this aspect of caring for your loved one seamless and simple.

‘Not quite ready to donate? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! There you will get an overall feel for how we care for each other and our charities. This is a caring community, here to serve you.

The post Estate Vehicle Donation | Legacy Giving appeared first on Donate A Car.

When the one we love leaves a vehicle behind

“I’m the executrix for my loved one’s estate. He left us a 1998 Honda. How can I donate it?”

Estate car donation is a simple and capably tended process here at Donate a Car Canada. We facilitate hundreds of such gifts every year; we well understand that your circumstances are unique. No two estates settle out in quite the same way. If you are an executor/trix, or have power of attorney, you have a LOT on your heart and mind. Furthermore, you have likely been asked the same questions by virtually every professional you have encountered! There have probably been a few speedbumps along the way.

We are here to make donating your loved one’s vehicle quick, easy, free, and loving. Equally important? We are here to help extend their legacy.

Honouring through charity of choice

The cause that your loved one cared about is ready to receive their estate car donation. You can choose any Canadian charity as the recipient for this gift! For some, this is a healing part of the complexity of grief. Knowing that the heartwork of their mum, dad, sibling, or child is being helped offers comfort.

In some cases, the owner of the car may have been ill for a time. If that is true for you, a donation can be made to a charity that is involved in research and care specific to that disease. Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease causes are top-of-heart for many donors.

On the other hand, you and your family may wish to spread cheer in a different way! If you can imagine a cause, Canada has a charity to support it! Sharing your loved one’s car donation with The Donkey Sanctuary might bring a little sparkle to the process!

The 1-2-3 of estate car donation

Every vehicle donation is unique to the Giver, but there are a few things that are steady-on.

1. Our donation form will take you less than 10 minutes to complete. We can do it over the phone for you if you prefer to connect with a caring person. Just call in to 1-877-250-4904 and we’ll take quick and thorough care! The form will allow you to name yourself as the POA/Executor/Trix, or simply as next of kin. There are times when the gift must be made in the name of the estate. Sometimes it will be simple to have the donation issued in the name of the next of kin. We can assist with this.
2. Once we have your information, we will promptly make arrangements for free towing. Even this will be made as simple for you as possible. Sometimes the person settling the estate does not live near where the car is located. In some provinces this is no problem at all! If you live in a province where that is more complicated, we’ll have your back on that, too!
3. Next, our agent will pay us. Your charity of choice then receives the net proceeds! In addition, you will receive emails at each important juncture of the donation process. This includes the tax receipt, of course. All will ensure that you have a healthy paper trail for estate purposes as well.

Next steps

By now you may have gathered, we are just a click or a call away.

Your free tow typically happens within 1 – 5 business days. The agent will call and discuss options that suit you best.

Not only that, we will give you clear direction about what paperwork is required. Typically, all that is needed is the original vehicle registration. That can be left in the car.

We are here to make this aspect of caring for your loved one seamless and simple.

‘Not quite ready to donate? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! There you will get an overall feel for how we care for each other and our charities. This is a caring community, here to serve you.

The post Estate Car Donation | Extending Legacy appeared first on Donate A Car.