CARS Ministry
We want to resource and serve those without reliable transportation in our community. Our volunteers perform maintenance and repair work on vehicles that have been donated by people in the community and these vehicles are either repaired for donation to a single parent or are sold for parts to repair other vehicles. By utilizing donations and volunteer labor, CARS keeps its operating expenses to a minimum, enabling the ministry to provide reliable vehicles and auto repairs free-of-charge, helping single parents and their families gain independence and opportunity.
Volunteer with Cars
CARS welcomes anyone who has an aptitude or energy for helping in a variety of automotive areas, including vehicle repairs. In addition to working on cars, volunteers build relationships with one another and with the grateful recipient of a new-to-them, used vehicle. CARS volunteers have a wide variety of mechanical experience.
Thank you for considering a donation
to the CARS Ministry.
Donating a car, motorcycle, RV, or boat serves those who lack the resources to provide for their own transportation needs. We make any needed repairs and clean the vehicle before handing the keys to its new owner—a qualified single parent. We sell clunkers and use the proceeds to repair working vehicles.
Donors also receive a tax deduction receipt for the full-market value of the vehicle. When you donate a vehicle, please make sure we have your current mailing address. Within 30 days, you will receive a receipt and IRS tax form 1098-C in the mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How CARS maximizes your donation
We have good relationships with salvage yards so we get higher-than-average values for vehicles that we can’t repair. In addition, because all labor is done by volunteers, the full proceeds from the sale of any vehicle go back to helping those we serve.
How much is my donated car worth?
CARS complies with all current tax laws by notifying the donor of the vehicle’s value for tax-deduction purposes. Once we have donated or sold the vehicle, you will be informed by mail of the vehicle’s value.
How we Distribute
Salvage
Vehicles that are not repairable (or not financially feasible to repair) still hold value for the CARS Ministry because they are salvaged for parts. The value of these vehicles is $499 or less, as determined by the donor.
Drop Off & Pick-Up
To drop off your vehicle or to have us pick it up, contact Gary Jones at cars@cclf.org.
When you donate a vehicle, please provide the following:
- Keys, including gas tank or trunk key if applicable
- Title
- Any accessories
At the time of pick-up, we require a key and a title for the vehicle you wish to donate. Please sign the title on the “Signature of Seller” line (Illinois titles only). We cannot accept vehicles without a signed title. Within 30 days, you will receive a receipt and IRS tax form 8283 in the mail.