Donate a Vehicle

Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People (PHP) has announced a new program: “Donate Vehicles to make a Difference.” PHP will begin to accept direct donations of motor vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, etc.) effective immediately. The vehicles need not be running and PHP will pay for towing, if necessary, if the organization accepts the donation.

According to Dean Palius, Chief Executive at PHP, the non-profit will not take every vehicle but if it can be put in operating condition for a reasonable cost or sold for parts, PHP will accept the donation and provide the donor with appropriate IRS tax receipt forms.

In the past, PHP would refer vehicle donors to another non-profit, “Cars for Causes,” who would take the vehicle, rehabilitate it, and sell it. PHP would then receive a portion of the sales price if the donor designated PHPO as the beneficiary.

Palius said that over the years a number of vehicles were donated in this way but most recently, the financial return to PHP has been quite small. At the same time, he said, he was approached by a local resident and fellow member of his Rotary Club about helping PHP to take vehicle donations.

This 1998 Ford Taurus was recently donated to PHP by the City of Buellton.

Palius said,  a fellow Rotarian approached me after a Club meeting and explained that he wanted to help PHP financially. The best way he knew of to help was to use his skills in the repair and sales of vehicles that he had developed over the past thirty years in that business.”