This is a picture of my truck on the day I donated it to Charity Motors. That was March 31, 2010. To recap, I discovered that my truck had been chosen as a winter hangout for squirrels. The squirrels ate both acorns and electrical wiring during the few months of cold we had in North Central Texas. When the repair estimate came in, I knew that the time had come to say goodbye to my truck. Though it still cranked up and could be coaxed to run around town, it was far from reliable.

The idea to donate my truck to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Kendalia, TX was almost immediate. I first tried to coordinate the donation directly through WRR, but the cross-Texas auction details proved to be too challenging. I decided that I would donate via the much-advertised Charity Motors, who made it easy by picking up my truck, mailing my tax form, and allowing me to choose my own charity.

Charity Motors specializes is selling donated vehicles at bargain prices to individuals who may have few other options. I received the full blue book value of my truck on the tax form ($1875), though I don’t know what it might really have been worth given the squirrel damage. I had to call Charity Motors to find out if/when my truck had been sold, and only recently learned that it had indeed found a new owner. Charity Motors was unable to tell me how much my charity received, so I contacted WRR.

WRR confirmed that they did receive just over $400 from Charity Motors. All things considered, I am happy with how this experience unfolded. I have visited the WRR sanctuary and visited with its founder, Lynn Cuny. I KNOW this donation will directly benefit the many animals who have found refuge at WRR…even a few squirrels!