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Donating vehicles to auction yields big benefits for community programs

After serving in the United States Air Force for 25 years, Grant Koeller retired in 2011. Although his military career has ended, Koeller still finds ways to serve others, and one of his recent choices was through the Goodwill Auto Auction and Vehicle Donation Program.

The program is owned and operated by Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (GESMV), which is the area's largest private, not-for-profit provider of rehabilitation and workforce development services for people with disabilities and other needs.

Donating your vehicle to Goodwill generates more than the benefit of a tax write-off. When you donate your vehicle to Goodwill, you are changing someone’s life.

Helping Goodwill change lives

All vehicles collected through the Goodwill Vehicle Donation Program are sold at the Goodwill Auto Auction, and proceeds are used to support more than 40 GESMV programs, including efforts focused on job readiness, behavioral health, children and youth, senior services, developmental disabilities, and community outreach programs.

“Our vision is to make it possible for all people to live, learn, work, and play with full inclusion in the life of the community,” says Cindy Carusone, public relations and donations manager at GESMV. “The programs we offer empower persons with disabilities and other disadvantages to gain their independence.”

In 2017, nearly 17,000 people benefited from GESMV’s programs. Supporting the mission is the reason Koeller has donated not one, but three of his cars.

“Donating a vehicle to Goodwill helps people,” says Koeller. “My wife and I knew we were done using the cars we donated, but we felt all of the [cars] could still help someone else.”

A common way for people to get rid of cars they no longer use is to trade-in the car at a dealership when they purchase a new one, but Koeller knew this wasn’t the right choice for him.

“Older cars typically don’t have a whole lot of trade-in value with dealers,” says Koeller. “The cars we donated were all at least 10 years old. I couldn’t get a large sum of money from a dealer for them, but I knew there was still value in the cars, and they could help people in need.”

The vehicle donation program extends to other vehicles beyond cars. “We take it all -- cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs, fleet vehicles, industrial trucks and farm equipment -- working or not,” says Carusone. “When you donate your vehicle to us, the funds generated at auction stay local. We handle all the paperwork for donation and provide the information you need for your taxes. It couldn’t get any easier.”

Donation made easy

The process of donating a vehicle to Goodwill is surprisingly simple.

“Pick up the phone, call the Goodwill Auto Auction Program, get your title notarized at the bank, and sign over the title. It’s the easiest thing in the world, and you’re helping someone else,” explains Koeller.

The vehicle donation process can be broken down into four simple steps:

  1. Donate online or over the phone by calling 937-228-AUTO (2886)
  2. GESMV will walk you through preparing the vehicle title for donation step-by-step
  3. GESMV will arrange pick-up of your vehicle for free
  4. Receive your tax deduction - Goodwill will send you a letter after the vehicle is sold, telling you the amount received for your vehicle.  

“Without vehicle donations to GESMV, we would not be able to support the more than 40 programs in 23 counties that are impacting lives every day,” says Carusone. “From car seat education classes and free car seats, to senior services, these programs are empowering people of all ages to live healthier, better lives.”

The opportunity to positively impact other people is something Koeller and others who have donated to the Goodwill Vehicle Donation Program recognize.

“I was in the military for 25 years, and it instilled in me the desire to continue to help people and give back,” says Koeller. “When I donate a vehicle to Goodwill, I am making a difference in someone else’s life.”

To find out more about the Vehicle Donation Program or to donate a vehicle, visit the Goodwill Vehicle Donation Program and Auto Auction website or call 937-228-AUTO (2886).

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