Four additional nationally recognized organizations have been added as benefactors of One Car One Difference™, a new program to help charities raise funds for medical research and to provide food, medicine, and shelter to people and animals in need by encouraging the public to donate old cars through a hassle-free donation process. The program, which officially launches this month, will be facilitated by Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA), the leading live and live-online salvage auto auction company and wholly owned subsidiary of KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE: KAR).
Individuals interested in donating their vehicle to charity can now select among these participating charities, including the American Heart Association, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, The Humane Society of the United States and the Chicago Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. The National Kidney Foundation also is a premier benefactor in the program. Since 1994, IAA has worked with more than 100 charities nationwide to help raise much-needed funds through vehicle donation and in 2009, returned millions of dollars to those charities.
"Many people don't realize that their old cars can easily be turned into money to provide people, as well as animals, with critical resources such as food, clothing, shelter, medicine and education," said Tom O'Brien, chief executive officer at IAA. "We saw a need to generate greater public awareness about the car donation process and the benefits it provides, and that's why we created One Car One Difference™. Through this program we can help these organizations expand their admirable efforts, which are as unique as the individuals they serve."
One Car One Difference™ will also help the American Heart Association, the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke through public education, medical research and advocacy efforts.
"The American Heart Association has set a challenging goal to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent, while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent by the year 2020," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "The funds raised through this vehicle donation program will help us encourage more people to improve their heart health and fund more life-saving cardiovascular research."
For the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization of more than 690,000 men and women who offer person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 142 countries on six continents, donated cars can translate into a multitude of services beyond the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.
"The clients served by the Society benefit from the impact of more than 146,000 members in some 4,600 communities throughout the United States," said Joe Flannigan, national president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. "By participating in One Car, One Difference™, the revenue from our national vehicle donation program will translate into essential services for those in need and build even greater services for the poor beyond the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter."
The Humane Society of the United States, the largest and most effective animal protection organization backed by 11 million Americans and the lead disaster relief agency for animals, will also use funds from One Car One Difference™ to help expand its community outreach through programs like The HSUS's End Dogfighting™ campaign that works to stop the violence that has victimized so many dogs, and to change people's attitudes and behaviors, as well as its national campaigns to promote pet adoption and combat animal cruelty.
"We confront the most pressing global animal cruelty issues, such as abusive puppy mills, dog fighting and inhumane hunting and confinement practices," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "The funds raised through One Car One Difference™ will help us rescue even more animals from neglect and abuse. Proceeds will help support The Humane Society’s End Dogfighting™ program to help animals and young people here in Chicago."
And the Chicago Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will use the car donation funds to continue to provide youth throughout the city of Chicago and in neighboring suburbs with positive character-building programs. Scouting, as known to millions of youth and adults, evolved during the early 1900s through the efforts of several men dedicated to bettering youth.
"It is our goal to provide young people with access to quality programming and opportunities that support core character development. We believe that by equipping our youth with the skills to make ethical and moral choices, we in turn are helping to create more conscious and responsible citizens," said. H. Charles Dobbins, Chicago Area Council, Boy Scouts of America's scout executive and chief executive officer. "Funding from donated cars will help to support the Chicago Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America's positive character-building programs throughout the city of Chicago and in neighboring suburbs."
Since 1994, the IAA Donation Division has provided non-profit organizations with complete donation processing services - a key differentiator in the marketplace that creates a streamlined approach for participants - and has fueled tremendous results. Charities find that using IAA reduces their administrative costs and assists them in putting more money to work on their stated mission.
For more information regarding how to participate and donate your vehicle, please visit www.1CAR1DIFFERENCE.com or call 877-557-1CAR.
About Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA), a wholly owned subsidiary of KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), provides the advantage in salvage auto auctions with its Hybrid Auction Model combining live and live-online auctions, North America's broadest salvage auction facility footprint, a strong global buyer base and high vehicle returns. IAA's more than 155 facilities across the United States and Canada provide vehicle suppliers and buyers with powerful solutions to process and acquire total-loss, recovered-theft, fleet lease, donation and rental vehicles. The IAA Hybrid Auction Model, including live, live-online, and proxy bidding, united with their mature global buyer base and diverse inventory produce some of the industry's highest returns for vehicle providers. With 28 years in the industry, IAA holds a comprehensive warehouse of salvage auction data. For more information regarding IAA visit our website at www.iaai.com.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases - America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.americanheart.org.
