Paralympics in the spotlight

Last night was a late night: I stayed up to watch Canada and the U.S. reach for gold in women’s hockey! There is something truly joyful in cheering for those who have worked hard at what they love. Happily, the thrill of witnessing excellence in sport is just a few days in. There is so much more to come in the weeks ahead!

The Canadian Paralympic Committee reports that the games will run from “March 6 to 15 March 2026 and feature six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboarding, wheelchair curling.”

They go on to say that we could have as many as 600 athletes and up to 79 medal events! Visit the CPC website to learn how, “Paralympic athletes are world-class competitors.” They have “…remarkable stories that can make an impact on people of all ages. Paralympic sport is truly super exciting to watch and follow.”

Cheer the team, care close to home

I am writing this from the comfort of my own couch. In fact, I am barely an armchair athlete, let alone a real athlete! Maybe you can relate?

I am aware of “abilities” and “disabilities” in a different way when an Olympic torchlight shines on Canadians. My work history includes some years spent in respite care (in homes, and in the school system). During those years I worked with children and adults with diverse in strengths and abilities. I have some small understanding of what it takes for our differently abled athletes to get where they are. Competition on a world stage is a playful reminder. Let’s cheer and support our fellows for whom everyday life is made more complicated by unique challenges.

Canada is home to charities whose aim it is to ensure accessibility. They work for equality, and inclusion for all Canadians. To that end, these are community-focused works. Some are working in our schools. Many are passionate about ensuring opportunities in work and sports.

While we cheer the wins and losses of athletes in Beijing this winter, we can support those our athletes represent here at home.

Giving where you care

Your car, truck, van, SUV, or motorcycle can help. An unused, unwanted, and in-the-way car turns into big dollars for charity here at Donate a Car!

A quick definition for clarity on who’s who (from one of our charities, Special Olympics BC):

“Special Olympics is solely for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Paralympics focus more on physical disabilities. The Olympics and Paralympics are about elite competition and specialization…”

Our wish here is simply to bring our attention to our country’s athletes and to all people who are differently abled. That said, are you looking for a charity that is focused on athletics? Look no further! Or, if you prefer to give to a work with a different focus, no problem. Either way, consider one of these groups as your charity of choice:

Cerebral Palsy Alberta

Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA)

Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba

Christian Horizons

CNIB

Connected In Motion

Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary

Edmonton Down Syndrome Society

Elves Special Needs Society

Halton Down Syndrome Association

Inclusion Foothills

March of Dimes Canada

Lower Mainland Down Syndrome Society (LMDSS)

Renfrew Educational Services Society

Special Olympics Calgary

Special Olympics British Columbia Society

Spinal Cord Injury BC

Special Olympics Society of Nova Scotia

Special Olympics Ontario

Saskatchewan Cerebral Palsy Association Inc.

Special Olympics Saskatchewan

Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association

Ups and Downs – Calgary Down Syndrome Association

Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities

Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Winnifred Stewart Foundation

YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region

We’re ready to roll when you are

Our online form takes less than 10 minutes to fill out, if you are ready to go ahead. Donations move along at the pace that suits you best. It is standard for a car to go from “donated” to picked-up within 3 – 5 business days. So, if you have a car that needs to get out of the drive way, we can help in a hurry!

We make estate donations easy, too. This can be a gentle way for an executor or Power of Attorney to care for a loved one.

Not only that, business owners find this process quick and efficient. ‘Need to move old fleet or business vehicles? We can tackle the details and move the units so you don’t have to.

Keep this creative sort of human kindness in mind as you settle into the couch to watch your favourite Olympic sport this winter! Better yet, fill in your donation form while watching your athletes go for gold! We’re one click away…

The post Paralympics | Caring at home appeared first on Donate A Car.

ALS Society charities receive car, truck, van, SUV, and motorcycle donations. From Halifax to Victoria, Canadians are impacted by ALS. Not surprisingly, their response is to give…big!

The ALS Society and awareness

We are so excited to be actively working on many vehicle donations that will go directly toward donors’ ALS-focused charities-of-choice!

Regional chapters of the society are set to receive recycle-ready Mazda, Toyota, Ford, and Pontiac donations of anywhere from $200.00 – $525.00. We have some accounting pending on an auctioned Dodge mini van that will bring over $1000.00 for the BC chapter. And a trusty 2007 Honda Accord is up on the block for sale later this month. Ontario will be the beneficiary of that gift!

Follow the charity’s socials. Get involved. Stay informed. And discover how you can advance life-saving research!

What is ALS?

“ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a disease that gradually paralyzes the body. It leaves people without the ability to move, talk, swallow and eventually breathe. 80% of people die within two to five years of being diagnosed with ALS. There is no effective treatment or cure of the disease. However, ALS research has advanced to a point that effective treatments are now a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if.’ Research discovery is limited only by the amount of funding available to pursue it.”

More funding contributes to ongoing research. Eventually, improved treatments and a cure are the outcome. This is the goal of giving to this cause.

ALS Societies fund raise on a regional basis. This provides services and supports to people/families living with ALS. Furthermore, it contributes to the funding of the ALS Canada Research Program. The CRP funds research grants and fosters collaboration among Canadian researchers. ALS Societies advocate federally, provincially and locally on behalf of people and families living with ALS. This ensures better government support and access within the healthcare system.

Car donations rev their engines for charity

When you donate a car, van, SUV, or truck, you can gift any Canadian charity! There are thousands of causes, and so many charities helping in specialized ways. Donors respond by giving in unique ways, too!

Be sure to visit your regional ALS charity to learn how you can best support their work.

“Whatever your reason for caring about ALS as a cause, you are joining a passionate group…” People living with ALS today benefit from services and support thanks to your involvement. Research investment today means effective treatments tomorrow.

How do I donate my car? Is it free?

The how-to: So easy! Complete a donation form. This will take a few minutes. Await a call from your assigned agent and have the vehicle picked up. Then, just watch for the tax receipt to arrive in your inbox.

Happily, there are no fees charged to your charity of choice. Ever! CanadaHelps (our partnering service) efficiently takes care of getting your tax receipt to you.

Your car, truck, van, or SUV will be either recycled or re-sold for the charity. The tow is free — every time!

Once the pick-up and processing are complete, we receive payment for your car. We then forward the net proceeds to your charity. Your receipt will be out to you within just a couple of weeks of final accounting getting wrapped up.

Questions during the process? No problem! We’re easy to get on the phone and by email. Moreover, you will have information at your fingertips at all times. This is all about your donation, your choice!

Ready to give your own four wheels to charity in this way? We are ready to help!

The post ALS Society Gifts Rolling In appeared first on Donate A Car.

World Wildlife Fund | A unique gift

J.L. came to us with a special concern. Preparing to make an out-of-country move, he knew he wanted to donate his Toyota Prius for the World Wildlife Fund. The car had high mileage, but was in running condition.

“The car runs fine but it’s an American car and therefor I cannot donate it to anything but recycling.”

Our donor was right: when donating a car in Canada, it must have been last registered in Canada. No Canadian registration? Recycle only. This didn’t pose a problem at all! The agents that serve charities through our program want to maximize every donation. The Alberta agent that managed J.L.’s gift worked hard to find the best way to get the highest return.

Rather than just paying out a scrap-rate for the Prius, our agent took time to piece it out. This isn’t always a viable option. Our agents process donated vehicles whatever means results in the largest dollar outcome for the charity while also covering their own costs. In this case, they took a hit to their own pocket so that the WWF could benefit with just a few dollars more!

Will my donated vehicle be parted-out?

We serve many wildlife-focused charities. In fact, if you have a Canadian wildlife charity that you care about, they probably have a vehicle donation program! We serve these organizations in several ways:

1. We recycle or re-sell donated vehicles. Visit our FAQ page for the nitty-gritty on how we determine what to do on a car-by-car basis. Your car, truck, SUV, van, or motorcycle is assessed on its own merits. We won’t overlook any detail! Some vehicles are scrapped; many are sold as-is to the highest bidder. This can result in a donation of thousands of dollars for the cause you love.
2. Our agents align with the mission of many of our environmental and conservation charities: removing unused/unwanted vehicles from the roads is good Earth Care practice.
3. We take care of every aspect of the donation process so that the charity doesn’t have to. These works are often operated by volunteers. Their volunteers are in it because they care for the planet and for critters. By taking care of the administrative bits and bobs, we free the charity up to do their heart work.

I want to give to a Canadian wildlife cause

There are so many ways to tend our earth and our wilds! Your regional charity will benefit from your time, your social media shares, and even from your gifts-in-kind. Visit your nearby charity’s web page and find their “Ways to Donate” information.

‘Ready to go big and donate your unused or unwanted vehicle? Here are some of the causes we currently work alongside:

Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area

Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

BC Parks Foundation

Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)

Critter Care Wildlife Society

Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society

Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc.

Hope for Wildlife Society

Kawartha Wildlife Centre

Lake Winnipeg Foundation

Medicine River Wildlife Centre

Northern Lights Wildlife Society

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society

Nova Scotia Nature Trust

Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project (Manitoba)

Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre

Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge

The Land Between

TLC The Land Conservancy of British Columbia

Toronto Wildlife Centre

World Wildlife Fund Canada

Zoocheck

My charity isn’t on your list

If you don’t see the cause you wish to support on our list, no problem! We are at-the-ready to serve any Canadian charity. It’s possible that if you visit your charity they already have us linked somewhere on their website. If you can’t find the link, let us know…or reach out to your charity to let them know of your hope to donate your vehicle.

Once we’re connected with them we can get the work done to set them up with their own vehicle donation program. No cost to them. No cost to you. Big benefits to your, your charity, and our Canadian wildlife!

The post Cars for Canadian Wildlife appeared first on Donate A Car.

A Venza & a low-profile charity

The Society of Saint-Vincent de Paul is our Venza donor’s charity of choice. This boots on the ground charity is serving our country’s poor from coast to coast.

They are a lay Catholic organization whose mission is:

“To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy. The Mission of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul implies that (they) see Christ in anyone who suffers. (They) come together as a family, have personal contact with the poor and help in all possible ways.” And they’re continuing to serve in this way in pandemic conditions.

This was the cause our Toyota Venza donors got behind.

Much more than an old car

The Society that our donor’s support effects felt-need change. When our partnered agent re-sold their Venza, the donors were able to gift over $3,000.00 to the charity.

By the numbers: 145,000 homes were visited in the past year. 337,000 individuals were served, and half of those were kiddos. The charity volunteers visited over 3,000 inmates. And those volunteer hours? One million, three hundred and fifty thousand!

And just like that we get a little glimpse into what one generously donating family, and one little Toyota can do!

Help the charity you love – donate your Toyota!

Toyota donations are just one vehicle make earning donations for cross-Canada charities. Our Venza donors had a beautiful donation experience,

” Thank you, Donate a Car Canada, for offering such a helpful service that connects folks like me who have a vehicle to dispose of and Canadian charities that need help. “

Our work here is to come alongside you in doing your own kind of Good! We’ll make the process as easy as we can. Our agents will do the heavy lifting. Your charity will receive a monetary gift that allows them to do the work they are just-so suited for. And you will get a tax receipt.

As one of our recent Google-review donors noted, “It’s a win-win-win!”

You are also invited to contact and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! From there, you’ll be able to keep up to date on our program as well as see posts that showcase our amazing donors and charities across the country!

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