Car Donations Changing Lives, One Car at a Time
Car Donations Changing Lives, One Car at a Time Out of the thousands of vehicles donated through Cars 4 Causes® every year, a few go directly to individuals in need, whose stories range from a horrifically burned girl in Afghanistan to a college student whose life began on the streets.
California, December 12, 2008 - Most of the thousands of car donations that came to Cars 4 Causes®, "The Charity that Gives to Charities®", this year were sold to benefit designated charities, and those charities ranged from local animal shelters to international foundations, but some of the vehicles were given directly to individuals in need.
"We read every request for a vehicle that we receive," says Pat Jessup, Cars 4 Causes executive director. "And we match up as many qualifying individuals as we can with incoming donations." It's some of the most heart-warming work she does for Cars 4 Causes. "It's one of the times we see, personally, the huge difference a car donation can make in someone's life," she adds.
This year, for example, one of the cars went to Jevon Wilkes, a second-year college student whose success story is just beginning. As a young adolescent, he was living on the streets. With nothing to his name but determination, he made it through middle school, then high school, then a year at California State University.
The Los Angeles-based charity, Echoes of Hope, appealed to Cars 4 Causes on Jevon Wilkes' behalf. "We found him a 1996 Honda Accord," Jessup says. "It's not a really cool car for a young college guy, but it's good, solid transportation, and, best of all, it belongs to Jevon Wilkes." Nothing now stands in the way of him and his education.
Cars 4 Causes' direct car donations go to a wide variety of recipients. Jessup points to another recent donation that went to Kabul, Afghanistan. The recipient is the Grossman Burn Foundation, based out of Calabasas, Calif., but working throughout the world. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Grossman and Dr. Abdul Asat, both plastic and reconstructive surgeons, the foundation supports the Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Center in Kabul.
The Center has received worldwide media attention for its work treating burns and disfiguring injuries. CNN, ABC Primetime and the Oprah Winfrey Show have all told the stories, one of a young Afghanistan girl burned horrifically, another of an Iraqi boy burned during fighting. Both found renewed life after reconstructive surgery.
To continue its work in Afghanistan, the foundation needed a van to transport employees - mandatory by the Afghan government. "This donated vehicle will make a tremendous difference in many lives," Jessup says. "That's a good feeling. A good day's work done."
Cars 4 Causes® sees the effect vehicle donations can have. It has also become a one-stop shop for car donors. Its experts walk donors quickly and easily through the paperwork and process of donating a car to benefit their charity of choice.
"Car donors love how easy we make it to donate," says Jessup. "And charities love receiving that Cars 4 Causes® envelope with a check inside." Cars 4 Causes®, "The Charity That Gives To Charities"® is a non-profit, IRS Code 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. Cars 4 Causes® has been a trusted avenue for charity funding since 1997. Proceeds from tax-deductible donations of vehicles go to qualifying non-profits.
Interview Contact: Pat Jessup, executive director
Cars 4 Causes®
4864 Market St., D
Ventura, CA 93003-5786
805-477-7617, Fax: 805-477-7637
800-766-CARE
info@cars4causes.net
www.cars4causes.net
