November, 2011 - This year has been tough on almost everyone because of the economy and the high unemployment. Americans are very resilient people. Even during troubling times, they are always ready to lend a hand to someone who needs help and is struggling.

A great way to help a person or an animal in need is to donate a car you do not use anymore to charity. The process is very simple, the pickup is free and the rewards are great.

In return for your generous donation, you will get the gift of a tax deduction when you itemize on your federal tax return. You will find hundreds of worthy charities to support with your car donation at Cars4Charities. For complete details, please call toll free 1.866.448.3487 or log onto http://www.cars4charities.org/.

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

Sept., 2011 - If your car has been feeling a little sluggish lately, there are some things you can do to get your motor running right again.

First, change your oil and filter. Make sure to use the grade of oil that is recommended by the car. Using the wrong grade of oil can reduce the performance of your car and its gas mileage. And, do not rely on the oil light in your car. By the time that light goes on, some damage to your engine may already have been done. So, check your oil often. When you do, also check the brake fluid and transmission fluid levels.

You should flush the brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant system every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Keeping fresh, clean fluids in your car will keep your motor running smoothly.

Two other things that will are replacing your air filter and fuel filter frequently. Clean filters will help keep dirt out of your fuel injectors, fuel pump and engine. If too much dirt accumulates, it will lead to expensive repairs.

You should also change your spark plugs every other year. Worn plugs will cause your engine to misfire and waste a lot of gas.

Also, check all the belts and hoses in your car for signs of wear, especially the timing belt or timing chain. If that breaks, it can destroy your engine. When you do replace it, replace the water pump too since the procedure for each is the same.

You can do many of these things yourself. You do not have to be an ace mechanic or have a lot of experience. You just need the desire, a how to manual and a few tools. Then, when you get your motor running right, you can head on down the highway looking for adventure and be able to handle whatever comes your way.

If your car will no longer run on down the highway, please consider donating your car to charity. If you do, it will be picked up fast and free and you will get a tax deduction of at least $500 if you itemize on your federal tax return. The process is easy and there are many charities that can benefit from your car donation.

For complete details on how to donate car, just go to http://www.cars4charities.org/ or by calling toll free 1.866.448.3487.

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

August, 2011 - The economy continues to struggle and gas prices remain high. The cost to fill up the gas tank in an average car is over $60. If that is breaking your budget, there are two things you can do about it. You can try to improve the gas mileage in your car or you can replace it with a more fuel efficient one.

To improve the gas mileage in your car, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires will waste as much as 2 miles per gallon. Also, put in new spark plugs in every 30,000 miles and replace your air filter regularly. A tune up will also help. The smoother your car runs, the better its gas mileage will be. You should remove anything from your car you do not really need. The more weight there is in your car, the more gas it will use. Also, remove your roof rack when you are not using it and if you have a pickup truck put a bed cover on. These changes will reduce drag and give you 2 or 3 more mpg.

Of course, the ultimate gas saver is to slow down. The faster you drive the more gas your car will use. If you drive the speed limit, accelerate gradually and avoid sudden stops you can save 3 mpg or more. If you do buy a fuel efficient car, you have to figure out what to do with your gas guzzler. The car dealership will probably not want it as a trade in because there is no demand for them. For the same reason, it will be difficult to sell it privately. You can sell it for parts at a junk yard for a couple hundred dollars, or you can donate your car to charity. When you donate car, you get a tax deduction of the amount the charity sells your car for or $500, whichever is more. You only need to itemize on your federal tax return to claim your tax deduction.

Cars4Charities will gladly take your gas guzzler for donation. Your car will be picked up for free too! You just need to provide them with a valid title for your car. And, Cars4Charities has hundreds of charities that can be helped by your car donation. For details, please go to http://www.cars4charities.org or call 866.448.3487.

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

July, 2011 - During these hard economic times, we are all trying to stretch a dollar by keeping our cars longer. That means making repairs to a car we would have replaced a few years ago. So, when does repairing the car fall into the category of throwing good money after bad? The answer depends on a lot of things and is different for everyone.

Obviously, one major contributor is the cost of the repairs. If the cost is more that the car is worth, it makes no sense to fix it. If the repair costs are less than the value of the vehicle and you are handy, you can save the labor costs by doing the repairs yourself. If you are not handy and your car has high mileage, is very old, has been giving you a lot of trouble or is generally in poor condition, it simply it is not worth it to repair it.

If you do decide to replace your car, you then have to figure out what to do with it. You can trade it in. However, most car buying guides suggest that you are likely to get a better deal without a trade in. Also, the car dealer will probably not give you much for it. For the same reason, it may be hard to sell it privately. Most car buyers do not want to purchase a car if it needs repairs, particularly if it does not run.

You can sell it to a junk yard for a couple of hundred dollars for it. They will sell all the workable parts for a lot more money than you got. You can dismantle your car and sell the parts yourself. That will cost you a lot of time along with some money for advertising. Then you have to decide what to do if someone claims the part you sold them does not work. You also have the problem of disposing of the left over parts.

Another alternative is to simply donate your car to charity. If you donate car, you will get a tax deduction of the greater of $500 or the amount the charity sells your car for. Cars4Charities will gladly assist you with your car donation. Just call them at 866.448.3487 or go to http://www.cars4charities.org.

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

April 22, 2009 - Donating an old car to charity has many advantages to the community. The donor gets a valuable tax deduction on their itemized federal return. The charity gets some much needed money to help fund their programs. It all sounds simple. It is, if you know how to do it correctly.

• Here's some advice to consider before just blindly handing over the title to your car:
  1. Find how much money the charity will receive:
     • If you are dealing with a car donation center, ask them how much of the actual sale price the charity will receive:
       • The term "net sale price" means the actual sale price minus auction fees, selling fees, or other fees charged by the center. In some cases, these fees may be more than the selling price of the car. If so, the charity may have to pay the donation center the difference. You won't know unless you ask!
  2. Always make a copy of your title!
  3. Know who you are giving your car to:
     • You should either mail your title to the charity or hand it directly to the person towing your car after they give you a receipt. Never, just leave the title in the car! If you do, you may not get a receipt and therefore, will have no proof of your donation. If you live in a state where you are required to remove the license plates, make sure you do! You won't be able to cancel your car insurance until you have either transferred the plates to another car or returned them to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You won't be able to do either if you leave them in the car!
     • Make sure you keep all the correspondence between you and the charity. If you don't, when you go to do your taxes, you'll find yourself calling around to the various charities to find out which one you donated your car to.

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

October 21, 2008

Charles B. Rangel, Chairman
Committee on Ways & Means
U.S. House of Representatives
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515

RE: HR 6727

Dear Congressman Rangel:

The current economic crisis has hit everyone hard. With most Americans cutting back on spending, car sales and donations to charities have plummeted. At the same time, the demand for help from charities that assist low income and homeless citizens has increased sharply.

The passage of bill HR 6727 will help alleviate some of this strain by repealing the limitation to vehicle donations enacted by Congress in 2004. Under this bill, taxpayers would be allowed to deduct the Fair Market Value up to $2500 for their car donation, and the appraised value over $2500.

Passing this bill will be the equivalent of an economic stimulus package. It will provide a much needed incentive for taxpayers to donate their old car and purchase a newer one. The result will be a valuable tax deduction for taxpayers, increased car sales and more money to charities. It will be a win-win-win situation.

I am asking for your help in getting bill HR 6727 passed immediately.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Karen Campese
President/CEO
Cars4Charities Car Donation Center
www.cars4charities.org
866.448.3487

August, 2008 - Cars4Charities has reached a major milestone. Since its' beginning in 2003, it has sent over 1 million dollars to charities. Cars4Charities is a not for profit organization that processes vehicle donations for over 1,000 charities nationwide. "We are very thrilled to have sent over one million dollars to charities", says Karen Campese, President/CEO of Cars4Charities. According to Campese, "the idea came about after hearing some charities complaining about how little money they were receiving from for-profit vehicle donation centers." "In some cases", continues Campese" the charities said they were only getting 5% of the sale price of the donated vehicle." "While I believe most car donors know that a portion of their donation will be used to pickup and sell the car, I am certain they don't expect it to be 95%! "We guarantee that the charity will receive a minimum of 65% of the sale price of the donated vehicle", says Campese.

Cars4Charities handles the entire donation process, including providing the donor with all necessary tax paperwork. Donated vehicles are picked up free of charge. The proceeds can be used to help one of over 1,000 charities, including Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Autism Speaks, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, American Autoimmune Related Disease Association, American Foundation for the Blind, Freedom From Hunger, Teach for America, Food for the Poor, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, American Parkinson Disease Association, American Brain Tumor Foundation, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American, Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, United Spinal Association, First Candle/SIDS Alliance, Military Pets Foster Project, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Rescue Alliance for Hairless and Other Breeds, and area food banks, hospices, and homeless shelters, etc.

Complete details are available at www.cars4charities.org or 1-866-448-3487 (GIVE-4-US).

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

June, 2008 - Now is a good time to "Go Green" - recycle your old car by donating it to Cars4Charities. You can complete the entire donation process online 24/7 at www.cars4charities.org. In addition to being convenient, the online option is better for the environment since it reduces the use of paper and other consumables. Donated cars that need significant repair are completely recycled. Others are sold for repair and reuse.

Cars4Charities handles the entire donation process and can have your car picked up in a matter of days, free of charge. The proceeds from your car will be used to help one of over 1,000 charities, including Prevent Cancer Foundation, Autism Speaks, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the American Autoimmune Related Disease Association, the American Foundation for the Blind, and area food banks and homeless shelters, etc.

In addition to helping a very needy charity, you will be eligible for a tax deduction of up to $500 or the amount your car is sold for, whichever is greater.

Complete details are available at www.cars4charities.org or 1-866-448-3487 (GIVE-4-US).

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

July, 2007 - Although vehicle donation programs are currently operated by a large number of national charities, only Cars4Charities offers the donor the opportunity to donate a vehicle to one of over 1,000 national and local charities! Cars4Charities also offers the unique option of completing the entire donation process online 24/7 at www.cars4charities.org. In addition to being convenient for the donor, the online option greatly reduces administrative costs, resulting in more money going to the charity selected by the donor.

With charities like the America Foundation for the Blind, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Cancer Research & Prevention Foundation, United Spinal Association, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Asthma & Allergy Foundation, Teach for America and First Candle/SIDS Alliance to choose from, Cars4Charities can satisfy anyone's philanthropic tastes.

In addition to helping a very needy charity, donors are eligible for a tax deduction of $500 or what their car is sold for, whichever is greater.

Cars4Charities handles the entire donation process, turning cars into cash and sending the entire net proceeds to the charity selected by the donor. The towing is free and vehicles are picked up in a matter of days. Cars4Charities accepts many cars in the United States for donation, old or new, running or not.

Complete details are available at www.cars4charities.org or 1-866-448-3487 (GIVE-4-US).

2007 -- You can claim a minimum $500 deduction on your itemized federal tax return by donating your car to Cars4Charities. If your car sells for more than $500, the sale price will be the amount you can claim as a deduction. Cars4Charities accepts most cars in the United States for donation, old or new, running or not. To be eligible for donation, your car must have a clear title, not be stripped of parts, have 4 inflated tires and be in a place where a tow truck can easily get to it.

Some of the charities your donation can help include: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, American Foundation for the Blind, Cancer Research & Prevention, Asthma and Allergy Foundation, United Spinal Association, and Teach for America.

For complete details go to www.cars4charities.org or call 1-866-448-3487.

Media contact:
Karen Campese
karenc@cars4charities.org
Phone: 1-866-448-3487

Nov, 2006 -- cars4charities has a unique opportunity for you to get a year-end tax deduction and help one of over 200 respected charities at the same time. Some of the benefiting charities include: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, American Foundation for the Blind, Autism Speaks, Cancer Research & Prevention, United Spinal Association, Teach for America. Donate your unwanted car to cars4charities and you'll be eligible for a tax deduction of $500 or what the car is sold for, whichever is greater.

cars4charities will handle the entire donation process, from start to finish. They'll turn your unwanted vehicle into cash and send the entire net proceeds to the charity you select from their impressive list. The process is effortless. You can complete the entire process online at www.cars4charities.org. Your vehicle will be picked up in a matter of days, free of charge. cars4charities will provide you with all the appropriate tax paperwork you'll need to claim your deduction. To claim your 2006 deduction, your title must be signed and postmarked by December 31, 2006.

cars4charities accepts many older cars in the United States for donation whether they run or not. Our requirements are that the car has a clear title, all its tires are inflated, and it is easily accessible to a tow truck and has no parts missing. To donate your car, just visit www.cars4charities.org or call 1-866-448-3487 (GIVE-4-US).

Sept, 2005 -- The new IRS rules for vehicle donation went into effect January 1, 2005. "The new rules have significantly changed the amount most donors can deduct for their car donation," according to Karen Campese, CEO of Cars4Charities, a national non-profit car donation center. "The old law allowed the donor to deduct the fair market value of their car as determined by a pricing guide such as the Kelley Blue Book," says Campese. "Now, people who donate older, less valuable cars can deduct up to $500. Those who donate more valuable cars can deduct the amount the charity sells the car for. In order to guarantee the donor the best tax deduction possible Cars4Charities now sets a minimum selling price on better vehicles."

Entire Vehicle Donation Process now Available Online at Cars4Charities.org

UTICA, NY - May 1, 2003 (INB) -- The biggest problem most people face when buying a new car is what to do with the old one. There are 3 basic options trading it in means taking less than it's worth, selling it means dealing with a lot of inconvenience, donating it means getting an itemized tax deduction for it's true value and helping a favorite cause.

Vehicle donation just became faster and easier. Cars4Charities is proud to be the only center that offers the option of completing the entire donation process online 24/7 at http://www.cars4charities.org. Offering an online option greatly reduces administrative costs, resulting in more money going to the charity selected by the donor. With over 200 nationally recognized charities to choose from, Cars4Charities can satisfy anyone's philanthropic tastes.

For more information, visit http://www.cars4charities.org or call 1-866-GIVE-4-US (448-3487).