After fourteen years of living on the Cars 4 Causes website, the Boats 4 Causes boat donation program is finally moving out and getting a place of its own!!

Since 1997, when we launched Cars 4 Causes, we accepted our 1^st boat donation and have been quietly accepting boat donations all this time from around the United States.   Currently, we have so many boat donations each month and such a tremendous following of buyers interested in purchasing our donated boats that it only makes sense to give Boats 4 Causes  its own website, www.boats4causes.org.

Our new website addresses the specific needs of those wishing to donate their boat, offering each donor complete transparency into our process, resulting in the highest price for the sale of their boat donation.   The donation process is simple and can be accomplished by filling out an online donation form from the new site or calling one of our donation specialists at 855-800-2628(BOAT).

The process of donating a boat is a little more emotionally complicated than that of a car donation.  Boat donors tend to be a little more attached to their boats and they want to make sure that their “baby” is passed on to the right organization.   Often times, it takes a boat donor 30 to 60 days to make the decision to donate once they have first made contact with Boats 4 Causes.

With each boat donation, our team creates a unique relationship with the donor, understanding the ins and outs of their boat donation and enjoying the memories and good times that each donor has had on his boat.

Many times donors are parting ways with their vessel because of a death or illness of a spouse.  The process of getting rid of their vessel is usually very emotional and hard for the donor.  Usually there is nothing wrong with the vessel, they just are unable to use it any longer or there is a lot of emotion tied to it.

Many donors also come to us after they have tried selling their vessel themselves, only to find it difficult, frustrating and sometimes failing to receive any bids at all on their prized possession.  Boats 4 Causes can sell that same boat in 7 days and many times a bidding war ensues.  

We are a national brand and we have buyers from across the United States checking our website daily for new listings.  This is the result of fourteen years of hard work in cultivating the selling side of each boat donation. 

When a potential buyer sees a Boats 4 Causes listing, they trust that we have done our best to be as thorough and accurate as we can when evaluating the boat and its contents and know they will receive a fair and honest deal from Boats 4 Causes. 

Boat donations are tax deductible, so the higher price we obtain from the sale of a boat donation, the greater tax deduction value for the donor.   Our donors realize this and appreciate all of our hard work and brand equity that Boats 4 Causes brings to the table.

We hope you will come to us when the time is right to sell your “baby”.

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1. DONATE YOUR VEHICLE TO CARS 4 CAUSES® AND EARN CASH REBATES FROM MAJOR RETAILERS!

Ever wonder if your vehicle donation really makes a difference?   Well, take a look at this letter we recently received from Ericka Bigger of Project Understanding, and you might just be convinced that it does.  The name of the family, and family members, have been changed in the interest of privacy.

Hello Pat,

My name is Ericka Bigger from Project Understanding and your organization helped us about 8 months ago with a car for one of our homeless families who entered our Transition House Program.   I wanted to give you a follow up on how [Jennifer] has been doing since being blessed with the vehicle your organization donated to her and her children.

Before the vehicle [Jennifer] was struggling to complete any goals such as gaining employment or finishing her high school diploma since she also has 3 small children with her. Since getting the vehicle [Jennifer] has been attending school regularly at the Ventura Adult Ed and will be graduating in June!! Her teachers and I are very excited as is [Jennifer].  [Jennifer] believed that she would never be getting her high school diploma since she had so many barriers to accomplish. Yet with your great donation it allowed her to get to school everyday to make this goal come true! Also [Jennifer] is working part-time and attending school full-time. As soon as she completes her high school diploma she will be working full-time and will be deciding what her next goal is. Since also being in our program [Jennifer] has saved over $2,000 and continues to save. [Jennifer] has one year left with us and we know she will continue to make us proud.

I did want to share her success with you since your organization’s donation gave her motivation and the tool to continue in her goals.

Thank you for everything

Ericka Bigger

Transition House Program Manager

We receive letters like this every day from many wonderful organizations that are doing great things to help those in need.   If you have been considering donating a vehicle but weren’t sure if or how it would help, rest assured there are people and organizations that Cars 4 Causes works with that depend on these generous donations to improve the lives of many families and individuals in need.  So don’t hesitate, please donate today!

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Effective NOW, when you donate your car, boat, motorcycle or RV to Cars 4 Causes^®, you’ll be entitled to receive a FREE Cash Rebate Voucher that grants you access to the Cash Rebate Mall for one full year where you can earn up to $3,000 in cash rebates from over 800 of your favorite online retailers like Target, Kohl’s, Macy’s, the Gap and Walmart.  So what does this mean for you?  By purchasing products from your usual favorite stores, like a new DVD player from Best Buy or some linens from Target, you automatically get money back in the form of a prepaid Visa card!!

The Cash Rebate Mall is an easy-to-use shopping program that offers YOU as our donor the highest rebates available from hundreds of major merchants.   Cash Rebate Mall also provides special offers, coupons and other added discounts to help you save the most money.

We wanted to give our donors something they can actually use in their daily lives, especially at a time when most people are working hard to get back on, or stay on, their feet financially.  Many companies offer “Free” gimmicks that often come with unforeseen costs like hidden fees and obligations down the line.  But that is definitely not how we work here at Cars 4 Causes.  Instead, we wanted a way to reward our generous donors with something that provides significant and tangible benefit and most of all is absolutely FREE!

The whole program is very simple too!  Donate your vehicle, we’ll send you a notice to claim your Free Voucher online, redeem your claim within thirty (30) days and then go to Cash Rebate Mall.com to start shopping!  How easy is that?

What’s even better! The program has no effect on the value of your vehicle tax deduction.  So not only can you earn up to $3,000 in cash rebates, you receive a valuable IRS Tax deduction from your vehicle donation – all of this in addition to doing a wonderful deed by helping those in need.  Everyone benefits!

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1. TAX BENEFITS OF DONATING YOUR VEHICLE TO CHARITY – AN ACCOUNTANT’S PERSPECTIVE

Its Unavoidable, Tax Season is Upon Us!

For those of you hopelessly procrastinating them, mire in the muck of doing them, or breathing a sigh of relief for completing them – here is some helpful tax information to keep in mind:

Here is what you need to do to get the maximum deduction for your vehicle and “why”:

1. Check out the charity to make sure that it is a “qualified” organization – otherwise your donation will not be tax deductible.
2. Determine that you qualify for a tax deduction
3. Determine the maximum amount of your deduction
4. Know the recordkeeping and filing requirements associated with your donation

1. Qualified Organization:

Cars 4 Causes is a 501(c)(3) organization which is qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.

2. Do You Qualify for a Tax Deduction?

• As an individual, you can deduct contributions to charity only if you itemize deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040

• There are certain deduction limitations; for example, your total charitable deductions for the year cannot exceed a percentage of your adjusted gross income.  Several other limits and exceptions, such as donation deduction for a previously depreciated vehicle, may also apply.

3. How Much Can You Deduct?

• The maximum amount you can deduct on your income tax return is the sales price of the vehicle.

4. What Documentation Do You Need to Keep?

Good news – Cars 4 Causes provides all of the following documents, as applicable, in a timely manner. You need to keep them with your tax documents so that you can support your deduction or file them with your tax return, if required.

• For donations of less than $250, you will receive a receipt from Cars 4 Causes that includes the charity’s name, date and location of donation and description of the vehicle.

• For donations of $250 or more, but not more than $500, you will receive a contemporaneous written acknowledgement from Cars 4 Causes.  This acknowledgement includes the same information as above.  You must receive the acknowledgement by the due date for filing your returns (including extension) or the date you actually filed your return, if earlier.

• For donations greater than $500, you will receive a contemporaneous written acknowledgement (Form 1098-C) that includes the gross proceeds Cars 4 Causes received from the sale of the vehicle.  You should read the instructions accompanying the form carefully to make sure you report the donation correctly on your return.

If the deduction you are claiming for a donated car is greater than $500, you must also complete Section A of Form 8283.

5. The Filing deadline is approaching and still no Form 1098-C?

This probably means that your vehicle has not yet been sold. You have three choices:

• Request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file your return; you can get this extension by filing Form 4868 either electronically or as a hardcopy by the filing deadline, which is April 18^th in 2011.

• File the return without claiming the deduction for the qualified vehicle.  After receiving the Form 1098-C, file an amended return, Form 1040X, claiming the deduction. Attach Copy B of Form 1098-C (or other statement) to the amended return.

• File the return claiming a deduction for less than $500 based on the contemporaneous receipt you received from the charity. File an amended return, if the sales proceeds on Form 1098-C you receive from the charity upon sale of your vehicle differ from the amount you claimed as a deduction. Attach Form 1098-C as above

While Cars 4 Causes makes the donation process easy and provides you with all the required documentation, reporting charitable donations on your tax return is not always “easy”. In addition, every individual’s tax situation is different, so you should seek professional advice.

Maria U Berntson, CPA, is a partner at Lindsay and Company LLP, Certified Public Accountant. At Lindsay and Company, LLP,  we approach your needs as a team of professionals with diversified skills, focused on providing solutions toward achieving your financial goals as an individual, in business, or as a non-profit organization.  For assistance or just to chat about your tax situation, business or financial goals, please contact us at 805-650-5915 or visit us at  www.lindsayandcompanycpa.com.

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1. MAKING YOUR CAR DONATION EASY!
2. DONATE YOUR VEHICLE TO CARS 4 CAUSES® AND EARN CASH REBATES FROM MAJOR RETAILERS!

We noticed this ABC News investigative story about the Better Business Bureau and wanted to share it to keep you informed and safe.

Unfortunately, we’ve been at the receiving end of BBB’s unfair grading practices and we were shocked and disheartened when we discovered that no matter how much proof we provided to support our case for a better rating, the only thing they wanted was money!

So, we were so pleased to see this recent investigative news story expose some of these BBB practices, such as unethical pay-to-play procedures, and while the news may come as a surprise to consumers and is certainly very disappointing to all, we’re glad that these unethical practices have been exposed and we are looking forward to new changes in procedure to ensure accurate and trustworthy grades for businesses.

News Investigators began back in November when a 20/20 report showed how a group of Los Angeles business owners paid hundreds of dollars to buy BBB memberships for a number of fictitious firms.  The result: The L.A. BBB awarded an A- rating to a non-existent sushi restaurant and an A+ to a fake firm named after Stormfront, a white supremacist group.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL REPORT

The most recent ABC News investigation was based on these same allegations that the BBB is running a “pay-to-play” scheme for its grading procedure, wherein A+  ratings are given exclusively to businesses that pay for a BBB membership and businesses that do not become members are given lower grades.

In the 20/20 report, the ABC investigation showed how two small Los Angeles businesses, with an ABC News producer and camera present, were told by BBB telemarketers that their C grades could be raised to an A+ if they paid to join the BBB.  After one of these owners, the manager of an antique hardware story, paid the $565 membership fee the C grade was replaced with an A+ and the one complaint was wiped off the record.  Tsk tsk!

You can read more about the issue here:  ABC News BBB Investigation Story

And feel free to let us know your thoughts on the matter!

Cars 4 Causes

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By M.Smith

(Los Angeles, CA) December 25, 2010 – Cars 4 Causes®, the charity that gives to charities, today donated a 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton car to Project: Hollywood Cares. The vehicle was then presented to the Morales family in a surprise Christmas day visit to their home in Hawthorne, California, home where Edgar and Wilma Morales, their nine-month old son, and a large gathering of close relatives had all assembled to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

Sergeant Morales & family enjoy thier Christmas Day surprise from Cars 4 Causes and Project: Hollywood Cares.

“It was a wonderful moment,” said Matthew Smith, board member of Cars 4 Causes®, “Tom Fick of Project Hollywood Cares, our Executive Director, Pat Jessup and I met the Morales Family at their home and surprised them with our special gift. We wanted to honor Sergeant Morales for his service and sacrifice to our country.”  Now back in the US, Mr. Morales has a lengthy commute to Camp Pendleton everyday and with only one car, it was quite challenging for Mrs. Morales to take care of their 9 month old, manage the house and attend school where she is finishing her degree. “A second car is exactly what they needed to relieve the stress and burden of their hectic and demanding schedules,” said Mr. Smith.

Looking to donate the car to a veteran in need, Cars 4 Causes® sought out local military-focused charity, Project: Hollywood Cares, to source a deserving family for this special Christmas giveaway.  At 11am today in Hawthorne, California, Cars 4 Causes® and Project: Hollywood Cares surprised returning war veteran, Edgar Morales, with the new car at their home and a large stuffed puppy dog for their son.

Edgar, a Sergeant for the US Marine Corp, returned home in November after completing an extended tour in Afghanistan. With Edgar having a 4-hour daily commute to report to Camp Pendleton each day, his wife Wilma in school finishing her degree, a new baby at home and only one vehicle between them, the Morales’ were very much in need of reliable transportation.

“I can’t believe this surprise on Christmas Day! I am shocked and so grateful for this car,” said Edgar Morales, Sergeant in the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Supply division at Camp Pendleton. “Thank you very much to Cars 4 Causes® and Project: Hollywood Cares.  This car is perfect and it will be a huge help to me and my family.”

“We are thrilled to have partnered with Project:  Hollywood Cares to give this great vehicle to the deserving and gracious Morales family on Christmas Day,” said Patti Palmer, President of Cars 4 Causes®. “A main focus of Cars 4 Causes® is to ensure that help goes where it is needed, so to see this final outcome of people’s charity is what it’s all about at the end of the day. This is a very fulfilling way for us to end the year, and also encouraging for continuing our hard work in 2011.”

Cars 4 Causes®, America’s first vehicle donation charity, accepts donations of all vehicles – cars, boats, motorcycles, and RV’s – expertly evaluates each donation and, if cost effective makes necessary repairs in order to sell the vehicle while ensuring the highest tax deduction value and net proceeds to charity.  A select number of vehicles are donated each year directly to families in need through the Cars 4 Causes® Give-Away Program, as is the case with the Morales family.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to have worked with Cars 4 Causes® to surprise a wonderful family in need with the car on Christmas Day,” said Tom Fick, founder of Project: Hollywood Cares. “Over the last 6 years since I began Project: Hollywood Cares, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many people in need and many charitable individuals willing to lend a hand.  In this case, Cars 4 Causes® was the perfect fit for the Morales family, and I look forward to more initiatives like this to support our soldiers and veterans.”

Project: Hollywood Cares distributes products of the entertainment industry, such as DVDs of popular movies, to deployed troops, wounded soldiers in military hospitals and the surviving spouse & children of fallen heroes in efforts to support America’s military personnel for their dedicated service and sacrifice. As the charity grows through various partnerships and greater awareness, expanded programs of special projects, events, outings and hospital visits begin to offer additional support to the mission.

To see how you can help through these charities, please visit www.cars4causes.net and www.projecthollywoodcares.org.

About Cars 4 Causes®

Originally founded in 1997 by concerned parents to support education for children with disabilities, Cars 4 Causes® is a 501(c)(3) charity that accepts vehicle donations, evaluates and makes cost-effective repairs if warranted, sells them to consumers and dealers, and then donates the proceeds to the charity of the donors’ choosing. Using three main areas of sale – retail, wholesale, and clean air, Cars 4 Causes® is able to receive the highest return on vehicle donation in the industry. Since its founding, Cars 4 Causes® has received over $100 million in donations from over 150,000 vehicles, and has shared proceeds with over 15,000 charities.

About Project: Hollywood Cares

Project: Hollywood Cares is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation supported by concerned citizens, veterans, volunteers and entertainment industry professionals. It’s threefold mission is designed to boost morale, express gratitude and improve quality of life military issues while supporting America’s service personnel presently tasked with multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan & Iraq, help wounded soldiers rehabilitating in military hospitals and provide financial support & assistance to the surviving spouse and children of our fallen heroes killed in action. PHC’s detailed command support program provides large entertainment libraries that include the four major products of Hollywood, (Emmy nominated television programs, feature films, music CDs and video games). The charity conducts a wide program of visits, outings, events and special projects in support of active duty personnel, military families and rehabilitating wounded soldiers.

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1. YOUR CAR DONATION DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The food drive was held from October 25^th to November 19^th, with drop boxes located at County Commerce Bank locations throughout Ventura, as well as Cars 4 Causes^® headquarters.  We worked in conjunction with Project Understanding because they have a great operation that makes sure those in need receive emergency food supplies when needed.

Team Cars 4 Causes^® members gathered all of the overflowing drop boxes and, together with our executive director, Pat Jessup, delivered them to Project Understanding, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Rob Orth, Executive Director of Project Understanding met Team Cars 4 Causes^® at the entrance to the Food Pantry where staff members from both organizations unloaded the food items and together stocked the Project Understanding shelves in anticipation of their holiday need.

“People in need come directly to the food pantry. They go through a brief interview process so that we can understand their need for emergency food. They usually receive enough food to last three or four days,” explained Mr. Orth, as he gave a warm and hear-felt “Thank You” to Cars 4 Causes^® and all the Team Members.

While we were stocking the shelves a young mother with 4 small children were receiving their emergency food supply. The biggest thanks was to actually see how our hard work and donation is used to directly help those in need during this holiday season.

Team Cars 4 Causes® is a dedicated group of caring employees and volunteers that come together to support local charitable causes.  Another way Cars 4 Causes^® gives back to the community.

Cars 4 Causes®, “The Charity That Gives to Charities,”^® is America’s first vehicle donation charity. We are America’s most trusted and recognized choice for turning your vehicle donation into cash for charity. Since 1997, we have received over 150,000 vehicle donations; raised more than $100 million; and shared proceeds with more than 15,000 charities, schools and/or religious organizations throughout the United States. So what are you waiting for? Make a car donation today!

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1. YOUR CAR DONATION DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
2. Wish Night

Zaira endured a painful and abusive childhood before she immigrated to the United States in 1995. Forced to continue living with a neglectful and demeaning parent, she was left feeling discouraged, unsupported and completely alone. She had nearly lost hope by the time she was placed in the foster care system.

It was at this point that Zaira’s life drastically changed for the better. She made her way through grade school, graduated high school, and is now in college, working towards becoming a Registered Nurse.

“I was on my journey to become someone”, she says. ”So far, I am doing excellent….For the past years, I have had many obstacles, but I have never given up and I never will.”

Zaira didn’t just believe in herself, she put in the work, and it has paid off in a big way. One obstacle that Zaira couldn’t overcome alone though was her lack of transportation.  She saved money and bought herself a car, but the cost of continually having to pay for repairs quickly became too cumbersome, and the car eventually ceased to work.

Cars 4 Causes® was happy to help. We provided Zaira with a 2003 Toyota Corolla. It’s our hope that, with the help of her new car, she will be able to continue to thrive in school and in life, and continue to meet her goals and fulfill her dreams. Make a car donation today!

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So after a bit of searching through our database of supported charities, we happened upon Project Linus, a charity that gives new, handmade blankets and afghans made by volunteers to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.

It was a perfect match. The staff at Cars 4 Causes ® is a creative bunch with a serious knack for arts and crafts. We ended up making six blankets for Project Linus, all of which were not only warm and functional but absolutely adorable.

As The Charity That Gives To Charities®, Cars 4 Causes ® has always embraced the concept of helping others as one of our core values. But it’s not just a job; it’s a way of life.  And we’re not just employees, we’re community members.

Whether you volunteer, give financial support or donate car, you truly can make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. In the spirit of giving, especially in light of recent events, Cars 4 Causes ® encourages everyone to do what they can to make a difference, and help others in their times of hardship. Make a car donation today!

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The reason the Acura is seen so frequently on the list is due to the swapability of many of the parts, and the engines themselves into other cars. The Acuras are being stolen, then the serial numbers ground off the engines. These popular double-overhead cam engines are then put into Hondas.

The reason? According to the Los Angeles Police Dept., it’s street racing. Illegal street racers run their cars hard until parts fail, then steal Acuras for the replacement parts. Acuras are easy to steal, and it is a cheaper way to repair their car compared to buying and installing a replacement engine. Street racing has become increasingly popular in metropolitan coastal cities in recent years. The trends towards certain makes and models being most-stolen has a direct correlation to the rise in popularity of car models used for street racing.

In addition, in Los Angeles, there is also a large market for older model Toyotas and Hondas because those makes tend to be more reliable and stay on the road longer than most, therefore are more desirable.

BMW’s 2001 M-series Roadster tops the list even though there were only 5,000 registered in the US at the time of the report’s release. This make and model made the list due to its popularity with car thieves. There was one stolen for every 200 on the road.

Surprisingly, large SUVs, mostly high-end luxury models also made the list despite high gas consumption, mostly due to the fact that these cars hold their value. The Cadillac Escalade, for example placed 23rd. It’s wheels and tires alone can be worth $10,000.on the street, while small cars that can be chopped up and sold for parts were the majority of cars stolen. Many of the older model SUVs did not have a computer chip anti-theft device installed at the factory which accounts for their popularity with thieves. Even a mid-1990’s model SUV can be worth in the tens of thousands on the underground markets.

The top 10 most stolen vehicles, least recovered list for 2006 according NICSB (the National Insurance Crime Bureau), was headed by 1995 Honda Civic.The 1990 Acura Integra placed 10th.

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One aspect is related to the price paid for scrap metal in America and overseas to markets in China and India. According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries,Inc. , the voice of the recycling industry, recycled scrap is utilized in manufacturing and currently accounts for approximately 40% of raw materials. Demand is increasing for scrap commodities in the United States and around the world. While many areas of the world economy are slowing down, other parts, such as energy, defense and aerospace remain strong.

The market trends were expected to continue for some time, and as long as demand exceeds supply, prices were expected remain strong. The current economic recession has caused the players in the commodities markets to change, many will no longer be able to continue as they have been in the past.

Our sources inform us that the price of scrap is falling. Brokers overseas are not buying in large part due to the credit crunch affecting the world economy. The end of October saw a dramatic drop in prices which had previously been strong due to the war in the Middle East, now falling due to the state of global markets. Many of these overseas markets are being adversely affected with buyers unable to meet their financial obligations. Having purchased these commodities on credit, they are unable to continue in the current economic climate. Slowing demand from manufacturers and builders is driving steel prices down and forcing producers globally to cut production.

The good news is that Cars 4 Causes® still has ways to direct cars to be recycled and get them off the road. Our affiliates are still picking up cars to be recycled at this time, and we are still able to get the highest average return in our industry for donated vehicles overall.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated as changes occur. Keep Giving Everyone!

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17 men took part in 1908 and the teams consisted of drivers, mechanics, recording secretaries and even members of the world press. This was the first recorded event that had reporters “embedded” in the process to provide first-hand commentary.

France, Germany, Italy and the United States competed on a route that took them from New York to Paris via Russia and Japan. The race spanned 3 continents and 22,000 miles. It took 6 months for the three surviving teams from the U.S., Germany and Italy to finish the course.

The U.S. Team was declared the victor with Germany second. Germany was fined a total of 30 days for not following the planned route to Alaska, and for shipping their entry by rail car in the United States.

The American entry was a 1907 Thomas Model 35 “Flyer” which had a 4-cylinder motor with a 4-speed transmission and whose maximum speed was approximately 60mph. The car was 11′8″ long and weighed about 5,000 pounds.

This Great Race popularized the use of the Auto worldwide. Today we still view cars as a way of enabling commerce, personal freedom, and as symbols of our status in our community and in society.This race has been rerun on the same route since 1908, but the original was the ultimate test of endurance.

Why is the Great Race important today? The race in 1908 was a chance for us to show our American know-how and design ingenuity. We were competing to be relevant in the modern age of 1908. This need to bring our best, most efficient designs, and good ole fashion American inventiveness is even more urgent one hundred years later.

In affiliation with the annual LA Auto Show which rolls out the cars of the next season every year in CA, Design Challenge Motor Sports 2025 will be holding another Great Race, a revival of the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix.

Design Los Angeles has an annual conference that has become an integral part of the L.A. Auto Show. More than 500 designers attended last year’s event. The very best designs are being prototyped to run in 2025.The 2008 designs are full of surprises such as “green” or reused building materials, and the ability to run on biofuels.

Once again, the designers hope for a resurgence of interest in new car designs and to hopefully come upon and have the ability to prove the viability of their concepts to consumers.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the U.S. could come up with an eco-friendly affordable car that would help to solve our dependence on fossil fuels?

That is exactly what these designers are trying to accomplish. Look at the car designs from BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Volkswagen.

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You may have heard a radio advertisement saying you can win a free vacation, or get cash and a tax break from donating your vehicle. So many billboards, TV and radio ads citing help blind children, donate car to fight cancer, fight poverty, give to the kidney foundation, or alzheimer’s research, to find a cure for breast cancer; the list is seemingly endless.

Wow ! So many worthy causes, how do you choose? How do you pick a car donation charity that will make the most of your donation, and won’t leave you holding the bag for liability and hidden costs?

We have heard many stories about how in previous experiences, donors have received parking tickets, towing and impound fees, DMV costs etc. after they have donated their car and assumed they would never hear anything about it again. Except of course when they will receive their tax receipt only to find that once tax time rolls around, the donation program turns out to be unreachable, or simply vanishes.

These negative experiences color the potential donor’s decision about what vehicle donation program to use.

There are some people, however, that let their philanthropic hearts lead them, and we commend them for being brave enough to try it a second time. Here are some suggestions to assist you in making an informed choice.

How do you know which companies you can trust and which ones to steer clear of?

1. Do your homework!

Research. Go online. Check with your local charity registries. Talk to friends and family members about experiences they may have had donating their vehicles. Call the program you are interested in and go to their website, if they have one.

Find out all you can about how the process works, and if there are any hidden fees or costs. Make sure you understand all of the steps involved in making a vehicle donation.

2. Find out how much of the value of your car will actually go towards the cause that you want to support.

Make sure you understand the difference between gross and net payments. Ask how much of your charity dollar actually goes to the charity itself, and how much of your dollar will go to administrative costs and overhead.

Be wary if the administrative cost is too high. If the charity cites more than 20% to administrative costs, your donation might be better utilized elsewhere. Also, find out what they do with your car. Will it be salvaged? Given to a needy family? Will they auction your car “as is” or repair and sell it wholesale or retail?

The dispensation of the vehicle will determine the amount of potential tax benefit to the donor.

3. Contact your State Dept.of Motor Vehicles.

Find out how to assign your title to the vehicle, and what your responsibility is and how to release liability for your vehicle. It is important that you take responsibility and don’t simply assume that the donation program will take care of everything for you. Many organizations do not have staffing reserves in place to handle DMV paperwork and transfers of title.

4. Find out about how towing and paperwork is handled, and by whom.

Who will be making the arrangements to pick up the car? Will you need to be present to release the car? How will the DMV forms be handled? Will you be receiving a receipt for the donation? Is the tow driver an employee or a contractor of the donation program? This may be important if there is an accident or the vehicle is damaged in the towing process(many donated vehicles are uninsured). How would the donation program handle such an issue?

5. Tax Receipt
The organization you donate to must be a non-profit in order for you to get tax deduction for a charitable donation, and that company must provide you a receipt for that purpose. If they are not willing to prove their tax exempt status, or give you their Federal Tax ID number, that should be a red flag warning that they may not be a true non-profit and beware.

Make sure you are clear on the follow up to your donation regarding how much of a write off you will be able to claim for donating your car. IRS guidelines have changed within the past few years, and you should be informed as to how that works. Obviously, you want to maximize the potential tax benefit available, so finding out how the sale of your vehicle is handled is very important. Keep the organization updated with current contact information so that a tax receipt can be sent to you in a timely fashion.

It is very important that you make an educated and informed decision about where your donation will do the most good because after all, isn’t that why we give?

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1. DONATE YOUR VEHICLE TO CARS 4 CAUSES® AND EARN CASH REBATES FROM MAJOR RETAILERS!
2. TAX BENEFITS OF DONATING YOUR VEHICLE TO CHARITY – AN ACCOUNTANT’S PERSPECTIVE

New and innovative ideas are being brought forth constantly, and we are happy to say that there are currently many uses for your recycled auto parts, and with increases in technology and innovation, there are bound to be increasingly more as time goes on. The answers to many of our questions on how to sustain our environment, and combat climate change and global warming lie in finding new and innovative ways to re-use and recycle more existing materials and finding ways to reduce manufacturing of new materials. Recycling just one car saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone.

AN ABUNDANCE OF CAR TIRES
220 billion car tires are discarded each year in the U.S. More than 80% of these are pulled from the waste stream and recycled. In the State of California alone there is estimated to be 32 million scrap tires taking up landfill space. This is a concern as the tires become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry diseases such as West Nile Virus.

Caltrans is finding solutions to these problems by incorporating recycled rubber into pavement base aggregates that are built into new highways and roadways. Base layers currently contain 8% recycled rubber from auto tires. Up to 50% of Caltrans base aggregates for roads contain recycled rubber. This is an improvement to previously used materials. Due to the elastic nature of the material, the roads made with the partial rubber are stronger, provide more stability and reduce cracking according to a Caltrans 2006 report. This material is slightly more costly per ton, but will need less repair in the long term.

California State Parks Department is also looking at a recycled rubber crumb material to use as footing along State Park trails and footpaths in wilderness areas. Environmental impact reports are still being done due to concerns about run-off and contamination of underground water sources or ingestion by animals. In the construction industry, recycled car tires are being turned in to carpet pads for flooring.

Rubberized AC (asphalt/concrete) is being used for roads and building materials. This material has some drawbacks in that it is costlier to buy,(about $29) per ton than conventional AC (about $14 per ton), and road workers state that the mixture has a “gummier” consistency that makes it harder to work with when heated than the conventional mixture. On the positive side; it takes less rubberized AC to perform equally well and lasts longer than conventional asphalt concrete.

RECYCLED AUTO GLASS
Tiles are made from recycled auto glass. It is used in flooring, landscaping materials, counter tops and porcelain. Auto glass is traded overseas in the secondary commodities exchanges. Indonesia and Southeast Asia imports auto glass to be used for making art glass beads and jewelry. Every ton of recycled glass avoids using 1,330 pounds of sand, 433 pounds of soda ash, 433 pounds of limestone and 151 pounds of feldspar according to EarthWorks Group. Using recycled glass to make new glass cuts related air pollution by up to 20% (wmich.edu). Mining and transporting raw materials produces about 385 pounds of waste for every ton of glass that is made. If recycled glass is substituted for even half of the raw materials, the waste is cut by more than 80%! Recycling 1 ton of glass saves the equivalent of 10 gallons of oil. Most bottles and jars manufactured today contain at least 25% recycled glass. Glass never wears out and can be recycled forever.

RECYCLED CAR BATTERIES
Nearly 99 million wet cell lead-acid batteries are manufactured annually. New batteries currently contain up to 90% recycled batteries.Most places that sell automotive batteries will also accept them to recycle, 100% of the batteries turned in will be recycled. 60% of the world’s lead supply comes from recycled car batteries.

RECYCLED STEEL AND SCRAP IRON
More than 14 million tons of steel from end-of-life vehicles is recycled annually. That is the equivalent of 13.5 million automobiles! A 60-watt light bulb can be run for over a day on the amount of energy saved by recycling 1 pound of steel.

India and China are the biggest importers of scrap steel and iron in the world. The chances are good that your recycled car could end up on the other side of the world as construction materials or other manufactured products. According to AMM (American Metal Market), which trades scrap metal worldwide; the prices for scrap metal have risen from $72.50 per ton in June of 2001 to $515.00 per ton in June of 2008.

67% of all steel made in the U.S. is made with recovered steel. This process uses only a fraction of the energy required to produce steel by tradition methods. This allows the U.S. steel industry to be able to compete more effectively in the global marketplace. The amount of energy saved each year from steel recycling is equal to the electricity needs of 18,000,000 homes per year. That’s enough energy to last Los Angeles residents for eight years according to the Steel Recycling Institute.

RECYCLED CAR PARTS
Many of the parts from your car that the dismantler removes in the 2nd stage of the recycling process are re-sold through wholesale and retail outlets all over the world. This reduces the need for the manufacture of new parts and the savings are passed onto the consumer with lower pricing for the used or reconditioned parts.

In addition to the energy saving benefits to recycling, there is an added benefit to the economy. While traditional waste management creates relatively few jobs, the recycling industry  employs more than 2.5 percent of manufacturing workers. Nationwide recycling and remanufacturing activities account for approximately one million manufacturing jobs and more than $100 billion in revenue.

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Step One – Drainage and Removal of Fluids

Preparing the vehicle for dismantling is vital to proper recycling. Fluids must be drained and properly disposed of. Gasoline is drained out, and the gas tank removed; to be used for the recycled metal. The average car contains about 19 liters of operating fluids. These need to be properly handled to avoid contaminating the environment. Dangerous chemicals such as the mercury in trunk and hood light switches and automotive batteries require special handling. The tires are also removed and recycled in this stage.

Step Two- Parts Removal for Re-Use

Many parts, depending on the age and condition, can be reconditioned for re-use. The car is dismantled and the re-sale parts are identified. Recycling car parts decreases the need for the manufacture of new parts. Some examples are whole front and back ends, body panels, wheels, windows and windshields. Parts that are related to the emissions systems are not re-used.

Step Three- Materials Recovery/ Recycling of Materials

Once the fluids and reusable items are removed, the car is crushed. The flattened hulk will be shipped to a shredder that will shred the car in a matter of minutes into small handfuls of metal. This generates three streams that are magnetically separated into iron, steel, and non-ferrous metal such as aluminum and what is known as Auto Shredder Residue(ASR), or “fluff”. This non-metallic material is composed of rubber, plastic, glass, foam, and electrical wiring. This is why it is vital to ensure that all hazardous materials are removed prior to this step in the process.

There is a huge market worldwide for secondary commodities. Many of these are automobile parts. There is even a commodities exchange that sets prices and trades these materials on the world market. The largest markets for scrap metal and steel are currently in India and China.

My next post will talk about a few of the items that are made from recycled car parts.

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1. DONATE YOUR VEHICLE TO CARS 4 CAUSES® AND EARN CASH REBATES FROM MAJOR RETAILERS!

Today, somewhere around 135 million cars travel the nation’s roads and interstates on any given day, and next to a home, an automobile is one of the largest investments that consumers will make in a lifetime. Cars have risen from being a source of pride in ownership, and status symbols of wealth and prosperity, to a mainstay of suburban life. Eventually evolving  into a necessity for many who depend upon their cars for their work and their livelihood.

A Strange History

Here are a few fun facts that you may not know related to our beloved cars.

The first auto racetrack was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which consisted of 3 million cobblestones.

The first electric traffic signal was installed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914

The first coin-operated parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1935

The first credit card accessible parking meters were installed in Beverly Hills, California.

In 2007 the City of Los Angeles unveiled the new meters that accept credit, debit, and cell phone payments.

The first tail fins on a Cadillac were on the 1948 model. This design element lasted for over a decade.

The decade of the 1950’s was filled with auto innovations including 1953’s Chevrolet Corvette and the 1954 Ford Thunderbird; two sporty coupes that were destined to become instant classics. The 1957 T-Bird was the last of the famous initial 2-seater design. However, both Corvettes and Thunderbirds continue to be manufactured into the present time.

Electric, adjustable mirrors, power door locks and windows, padded dashboards, and seat belts became standard equipment on most cars during  the ’50’s.

1965’s Chevrolet Impala sold more than a million units in North America setting a record that stands to this day.

The Impala was a best seller throughout the 1960’s.

In the year 1972 in Los Angeles, CA, the average driver’s highway speed was 60 mph, in 1982, it was 17mph! I think it must have been around this time that they coined the term “gridlock” to refer to the LA freeway system.

The city with the greatest number of Rolls Royce automobiles per capita is Hong Kong.

Honda’s Insight is the first fuel efficient hybrid model to be made available in the U.S.

From 1992 -1996 the best selling car in all of America was the Ford Taurus.

In 2002, 30% of all cars sold in the U.S. were SUV’s.

Now the trend is for fuel efficiency. Hybrids and electric cars are being developed to run on gas and electricity. Kits are also being made available to convert diesel engines to bio-fuels at your local corner garage. What’s next for the auto industry remains to be seen as America struggles to reduce her independence on foreign oil imports. One thing is certain; Our love affair with our automobiles may change and evolve, but it will never come to an end.

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They have also opened an educational center in Lewis County, Tennessee to educate people about the work they do at the Elephant Sanctuary and about the plight of elephants in zoos and circuses. They also allow visitors to view live video feeds of the elephants at the Sanctuary.  The Sanctuary protects the elephants’ routines and habitat while still allowing visitors to view them in real time.

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has an outreach program that travels nationwide, and a popular non-profit YouTube channel (ranked #61 all-time most viewed) to track the elephants in the sanctuary. I viewed their Summer 2008 newsletter online, and found it very informative with great pictures of the elephant residents making use of all features provided by the dedicated staff. They also had 2 moving tributes to grand elephants that have peacefully passed on.

Obviously, with these huge pachyderms, there is also a huge price tag. I was curious to find out about their fund-raising on the website and what it costs to foot the bill for 15-20 elephants. Granted, the elephants have a wealth of hardwood forest and vegetation to eat from at the Sanctuary’s natural habitat, but it is not able to sustain the 17 elephants currently residing there. Residents are fed a “breakfast basket” of hay and fruit daily to supplement the available wild vegetation. They have pretty well browsed the available vegetation in the habitat, but with the rich “fertilizer” they leave behind (literally), there has been a positive impact on the foliage on the grounds overall.

If you decide to donate your car to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, will it help the elephants? You bet it will! Your vehicle donation could feed an elephant for almost a whole month. Of course, this time frame could vary depending on the vehicle being donated, but anyway you look at it, that’s a lot of peanuts!

Keep giving everybody.

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So far, bethechangeinc.org has recorded 2652 events planned in 50 states across America. click here to enter your zip code to see what is happening in and around your community. Where can your time, talent and energy contribute the most?

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1. YOUR CAR DONATION DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The good news is that the National 911 Memorial and Museum has approved and is building what will be a beautiful place of reverence, reflection and remembrance on the site of the horrific terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

The Memorial Museum will house artifacts and recorded oral histories related to the terrorist attacks. The National 9-11 Memorial design contest selected “Reflecting Absence”, which built two reflecting pools in the footprints of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. These pools have the largest continuous man-made waterfalls in the country going endlessly down the outer walls into the center of the pools. The names of the fallen from that day and also the names of the first responders to the tragedy will be listed around the edges of each pool.

More than three hundred trees have also been planted to renew the site of the World Trade Center. There will be numerous related places for visitors to stop and contemplate at this site made sacred by the extreme and tragic loss of life that day. All of this will be located near the new Freedom Tower, and three other commercial buildings which have been built during the renewal of what was, until recently, the wreckage of Ground Zero.

The Mayor of NYC has stated that the design of the National 9-11 Memorial has taken into account all feedback from the families of the fallen, as well as the suggestions received during the quest for the most appropriate design. While he knows that not everyone will be satisfied with the final result, every effort was made to respect the wishes of the families and loved ones of those who were lost. They have created a Memorial with peaceful places to go to contemplate the tragedy and pay tribute to those who lost their lives.

Family members will have a private entrance, as well as private spaces for contemplation on the grounds of the new National 9-11 Memorial.

This Memorial has been funded by donations from all over the world. Cars 4 Causes® is proud to be a contributor, along with those people who have poured out their hearts and given generously to this important project. We want to honor those emergency workers and ordinary citizens who gave on September 11, 2001. They made the ultimate sacrifice, and gave their very lives. Let us remember them today. Learn how to donate car today!

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The vehicles that are donated to Cars 4 Causes® vary in mechanical condition from beautiful,mechanically sound cars needing little or no repair; to those needing extensive mechanical and cosmetic repair. The largest percentage are the cars that we are able to fix and sell.

Donated cars that we repair get a new life as affordable transportation for people in need. We re-condition the donated cars with recycled parts, clean and detail them. We are able to give these cars new lives with new owners.

We offer many services behind the scenes that benefit our donors and increase the bottom lines of the charities that partner with Cars 4 Causes®. We handle DMV paperwork and advise our donors in all states about title paperwork issues. Our mechanics inspect, repair, and refurbish the donated cars to make them ready for sale. We use a dedicated network of tow companies that pick up cars and assist our donors. They represent us throughout your neighborhoods and pick up cars by the thousands. Cars 4 Causes® markets and advertises the donated cars, we sell them at our own retail locations, eBay® car auctions, and through other industry auto sellers.

In this way, the vehicles are re-conditioned, re-sold, re-born really, as new(used) cars to new owners. Recycling these donated cars gives them another life and enhances the lives of the new owners as well. So what are you waiting for? Learn how to donate car today!

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