"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.

Bell Let’s Talk | Changing how we talk about health

Let’s create meaningful change.

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign highlights ways we can all create meaningful change and take action by doing one or more of the following:

• Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support
• Help a friend struggling with their mental health by learning how to support them
• Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health
• Nurture your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies
• Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health
• Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma

What does this have to do with me?

It has really only been in my lifetime that we have started talking openly about this aspect of our wellbeing. If you are a little older, you may well remember a time when feelings simply were not discussed. Maintaining composure and bottling things up were signs of strength. We have moved beyond that, now. There is a growing permission to name what is true for all of us: we are resilient; we are vulnerable.

Our emotional and processing health needs the same attention we might give a tummy ache, a broken leg, or a migraine. Minding our emotions and overall wellbeing is as important as taking care of our cardiovascular system.

In wobbly times like these, turning attention inward is important. We are learning to take care of our self — maybe with some of the same compassion we are quick to offer each other!

How can I help my loved ones?

And that compassion that you so readily turn toward your friends and family is important. Do you need to tag in some extra support? Here are a few of the charities that we work alongside through vehicle donation:

Your local chapter of the CMHA

Breaking Free Foundation

Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC

Horizons For Youth

Kids Help Phone

Mental Health Foundation

Sunshine Therapy Dogs

Umbrella Society for Addictions & Mental Health

Westman Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention

Your local Distress Centre

How you can help your mental health charity today

Perhaps you would like to give the cause you love a little extra back up? The charities named above are just a few — your car, you choice! You can gift your vehicle to ANY Canadian charity. Aid the work of the cause you love by donating your car, truck, van, SUV, or motorcycle. Re-sold or recycled, it will bring a valuable donation. The tow is always free. Moreover, you will receive a tax receipt from your charity, too!

What does this have to do with me?

It has really only been in my lifetime that we have started talking openly about this aspect of our wellbeing. If you are a little older, you may well remember a time when feelings simply were not discussed. Maintaining composure and bottling things up were signs of strength. We have moved beyond that, now. There is a growing permission to name what is true for all of us: we are resilient; we are vulnerable.

Our emotional and processing health needs the same attention we might give a tummy ache, a broken leg, or a migraine. Minding our emotions and overall wellbeing is as important as taking care of our cardiovascular system.

In wobbly times like these, turning attention inward is important. We are learning to take care of our self — maybe with some of the same compassion we are quick to offer each other!

How can I help my loved ones?

And that compassion that you so readily turn toward your friends and family is important. Do you need to tag in some extra support? Here are a few of the charities that we work alongside through vehicle donation:

Your local chapter of the CMHA

Breaking Free Foundation

Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC

Horizons For Youth

Kids Help Phone

Mental Health Foundation

Sunshine Therapy Dogs

Umbrella Society for Addictions & Mental Health

Westman Mental Wellness & Suicide Prevention

Your local Distress Centre

How you can help your mental health charity today

Perhaps you would like to give the cause you love a little extra back up? The charities named above are just a few — your car, you choice! You can gift your vehicle to ANY Canadian charity. Aid the work of the cause you love by donating your car, truck, van, SUV, or motorcycle. Re-sold or recycled, it will bring a valuable donation. The tow is always free. Moreover, you will receive a tax receipt from your charity, too!

The post Bell Let’s Talk Day appeared first on Donate A Car.

Once upon a time…

…there was an Ontario Ford Focus owner who knew it was time to let their little car go. The trusty, rusty old thing was stranding them on the road. What better way to extend a legacy than by donating to her charity of choice?

To their happy surprise, with just few clicks of a button, the Kawartha Wildlife Centre was set to benefit from the car’s end of life process.

The important middle bit

Hundreds of Ford Focus donors give on behalf of Canadian charities! Often the cars are recycle-ready. Recycle vehicle outcomes add up cumulatively for our charities. This means thousands of donations dollars annually.

We are also able to re-sell donated cars for larger donations. A Focus that’s running, in good condition, with moderate mileage could bring your charity a $500.00 gift — or more! Whatever the condition, we tend to each gift individually. Moreover, our regional recycle and re-sale supports give careful guidance about their buyer base. These companies know best-process in your area!

Our free tow is standard, prompt, and friendly. Once we have the Ford picked-up it’s just a matter of time and math. Next, your charity is likely to receive their gift within two months of donation. Then, a tax receipt to the donor follows within a month of that. Missing the receipt? We have a simple follow-up process. You will always get that receipt in hand!

Happily ever after

Our Ford Focus donor tells their own story,

“I would like to let you know that I was very impressed by the entire donation process at Donate a Car Canada. Staff were friendly and email responses were detailed and prompt, with clear instructions and an expected timeline. Pickup itself was problem-free, occurring on the very next day. The tow agent was courteous and knowledgeable, and had the paperwork ready, of which there was not much, keeping things really simple.

I recommend Donate a Car Canada to anyone thinking about disposing of their old vehicle to aid a cause close to their hearts. Our chosen charity has already received the funds and we have been notified that a tax receipt will be in the mail soon. The entire experience could not have been any better. Thank you Donate a Car Canada!”

The moral of the story

Our heartfelt gratitude to our Ford Focus donor because you’re the reason we do what we do. Generously doing as we are able — each in their own way — is at the heart of Donate a Car Canada.

Maybe you have a car of your own to donate? On the other hand, you may need to get connect with a human voice, first? We can help! Call in to 1-800-250-4904. A few minutes on the phone (an average call will take less than 10 minutes of your time — even if you’re going ahead with the donation!) will give lots of direction. Or, if you know this is the choice for you, click on the button below. Our online form is self-explanatory and will get things rolling along in minutes.

The post Ford Focus appeared first on Donate A Car.