Places to Donate a Car in Providence, RI Area

Whether it’s the fact it breaks down on a hot highway in the summertime (and of course the AC won’t work) or it just can’t handle the New England winter, or maybe you’re just bored of it, or you’ve had a couple kids and need more room for all that kid stuff. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to say sayonara to your current car. What to do? Sell it back, trade it in, and buy a cup of coffee with the profits? Blow it up in your backyard and see what the neighbors say? In the true spirit of Providence, “The Renaissance City” why not let your car have a second life as a donation to a local charity?

RED CROSS/RI: Everybody loves the Red Cross. The American Cross Of RI is “is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.” This is according to its website (www.riredcross.org). With a home office on 105 Gano St. right in Providence, the RI Red Cross is looking for donated vehicles.

DONATE TO THE RED CROSS OF RI: The Red Cross of RI takes donations of “car, truck, or just about any vehicle that moves in the air, through fields or along the open road,” according to the website. Those who would like to be car donors should go to the site and fill out the online donor form. The online form, from the National Vehicle Donation Program, requires you to have your title and VIN number. The car need not be in working condition for you to donate, but you will be “asked to explain the condition of the car.” After the donor fills out the online forms, he or she needs to print them and send them to the Program. The RI Red Cross site says the RI Red Cross gets “65-80%” of the proceeds from car resale. Questions can be directed to 1-800-456-5517.

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS: Remember that old ad “It’s never to late to learn to read” ? Well, it’s never too late to donate your car to help someone else learn to read. Literacy Volunteers of Rhode Island – An Affiliate of ProLiteracy America – takes donations of cars to fund its programs. The organization’s website (www.lvari.org) says Literacy Volunteers of RI has been serving people for over 20 years, helping people to improve “literacy skills in order to lead more productive lives. ” They’re located at 260 Exchange St. in Providence

DONATE TO LITERACY VOLUNTEERS: On their site, Literacy Volunteers urges people to consider donating their used cars to get more than the Bluebook value in the form of a tax deduction. To get the donation process started, potential donors are asked to call the program at 401-861-0815.

MAKE-A-WISH RI: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island (www.http://www.makeawishri.org) is dedicated to “making wishes come true” for seriously ill children. It’s the local chapter off the Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org). They’re located at 757 Park Avenu in Cranston. And you can help them make wishes come true by donating your vehicle.

DONATE TO MAKE-A-WISH RI: The site says they take any vehicle, running or non-running, any age, make, or model. Pick-up process seems easy. The site says they will arrange to pick up your vehicle – even if it’s out of state! All you need to do is call their number: 781-WISH(9474). Sounds like a simple way to help them help kids!

In all cases, make sure to check on tax-deductability with a tax expert.