The Cars 4 Causes Blog.

Cars 4 Causes® sometimes receives requests from charitable organizations for car donations for individuals in need. One recent one that we were able to match with a car through the Cars 4 Causes Car Give-Away Program, was sent by the Los Angeles-based charity, Echoes of Hope.

The happy artist: Laron Wallace stands with John Huffman, president of Echoes of Hope, who appealed to Cars 4 Causes® for a car donation.

The charity wrote to us on behalf of a young artist, Laron Wallace. The young man was “in dire need of reliable transportation,” wrote John Huffman, president of Echoes of Hope. He went on to tell us a bit about Laron.

What Convinced Us to Help

It turns out that this amazing young person has overcome tremendous obstacles in his life. After his abandonment by his father and the death of his mother, Laron spent his childhood and adolescence in the foster care system.

His was not an idyllic childhood, not by any stretch of the imagination. Despite these early years, though, Laron has grown up to be a well-rounded, hard-working student.

He works and attends college, and he has very realistic dreams of a future in art.

Drawn by Laron Wallace, this picture captures his appreciation for his donated car. Look closely and you’ll find a few keywords in the art, like Toyota Corolla, Cars 4 Causes, and his “thank you”, too.

Recently, his car froze up, and the cost of repairs equaled more than the car’s value – and much more than Laron had in his wallet, too!

Echoes of Hope appealed to Cars 4 Causes®, the Charity that Gives to Charities®, and we were able to help. We found a 2002 Toyota Corolla for Laron.

A Future Filled With Art

So, this young artist is continuing his studies, supporting himself with his work, and getting to and from it all in his car, a car that came to us from a generous car donor. Learn how to donate car today!

When the economy went into a dive last year, Brenda’s family finances hit the skids, too. She’s a feisty woman and not easily defeated. She had struggled through emotional and financial crises when serious childhood illnesses threatened both her daughter and younger son. And all survived.

Car donation recipient Brenda with Sister Mary

She lost her husband to cancer last year, though, and even while mourning her loss, still needed to get herself to the University of California Medical Center in Los Angeles for treatments for her own serious medical condition – a 60-plus-mile drive. Still, she was “OK,” she said. She was managing, even as the downturn in the economy slashed the value of her late husbands’ life insurance benefits.

Then the car began to give out.

In poor condition, it couldn’t be counted on to get her to UCLA. And, frankly, it wasn’t reliable in and around town either.

Abbess Victoria of the St. Barbara Monastery in Santa Paula, Calif. asked Cars 4 Causes if we could help. We could, and we did. That’s Brenda in the photo with Sister Mary of the St. Barbara Monastery.

Their smiles are genuine. The car was donated to Brenda and her family. Make a car donation today! Your donation will support people who need your help.

The Cars 4 Causes® Give-Away Program donated a 2002 Toyota Sienna Van to the Grossman Burn Foundation. The van was given by Executive Director Pat Jessup, and President Patti Kennedy from Cars 4 Causes® corporate offices in Ventura, CA. The Burn Foundation contacted Cars 4 Causes® earlier this year regarding the need for a vehicle to be used for a unique mission.

The Grossman Burn Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the California-based Grossman Burn Center, LLC, which specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery treatment for burn victims.  The Foundation recently opened a facility in Kabul, Afghanistan. Their request was for a van or SUV to use as a transport for patients.

The newly opened hospital is under the direction of Dr. Peter Grossman, and Dr. Abdul Asat. Both doctors are accomplished Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. The facility will provide care to patients in Afghanistan regardless of ability to pay, in a place where the health status of the general  populace, especially women, ranks among the very worst in the world. The van will be shipped to Kabul, where it will be used to provide transportation for burn victims. Grossman Burn Centers stated that this donation from the Cars 4 Causes® Give-Away Program is a vital part of the success of their mission in Kabul.