THE SARET CAR DONATION PROGRAM

A link to survival in the suburbs

Since 1990, SARET Charitable Fund has facilitated car donations and car repairs to hundreds residents in the western suburbs of Chicago.  Each car donated, and each car repaired, gave a struggling family or an individual, a jump start to employment and ability to be more financially secure.

In 2008 our car donation program suffered a horrendous blow as fewer cars were donated due to the problematic economy, bringing our car donation program to an almost complete standstill.  We, therefore, diverted all funds in our transportation budget towards car repair, utilizing three local car shops:  The Car Clinic in Warrenville, The Tire Connection in Lombard, and Bob Olsen from Lombard.  

We are, therefore, appealing to the general public and to every establishment involved in selling or repairing cars to be aware of what the SARET Charitable Fund does in terms of our transportation aid program.  When one buys a car, they have a choice to trade in their old vehicle or donate it to charity.  In many instances, donating a vehicle to a charity like SARET (which does not ever auction vehicles) facilitates a tax deduction appropriate to the true value of the car which is being donated.  Whereas they might get $1000 in a trade, they may get $5000 in a tax deduction donation based on either the Blue Book valuation or an evaluation from a car dealership.  We ask those buying a new car to be aware that an older car, if still working, could save an entire family from becoming homeless.  It is that simple.  Most other charities sell your car to an auctioneer for a couple hundred of dollars and that is all the deduction the donor can enjoy.  Not so with SARET Charitable Fund, where every car is donated to a needy family or individual.

We ask car dealerships to educate their sales force and staff about us and to keep our literature in their show room.  We are asking everyone who has a car to dispose of, to reach deep into their hearts and realize that you are in a position to help change lives just as the SARET Charitable Fund does.

Every business that collaborates with our program will be listed on our web site, so each time your business is googled, your name will show up as a participant in our car donation and repair program.

We accept the following vehicles:  motor cycles, vespas, cars, vans, SUVs, and even trucks in working condition, as some of our clients are highly skilled in remodeling and landscaping and having a larger vehicle would facilitate their work.

If you are unable to donate a car, but are in the car sales or repair business, we ask that you please consider donating one car repair every year (or whatever time frame is feasible for you) to one of our struggling clients in your geographic area.

The stories of hope that come out of these donated vehicles and vehicle repairs are quite remarkable.  These cars enjoy a new life in the hands of people who can resume work thanks to that vehicle and your generous donation.

So what is the next step? Just go to www.saretcharitablefund.org and click on the vehicle donation section to find out whatSARET is all about or call 630-793-9556. Thank you!