We cannot thank you enough for helping us make our car payment so me and my son Beau can get to dialysis. We both dialyze at the same clinic and live together to cut living and transportation costs. This April, I filed my income taxes, claiming Beau as a dependent. The E-file was kicked back saying my son’s Social Security number was tied to another tax return which claimed working income, a spouse, and a dependent! Someone had stolen his social security! They froze his Medicare and other disability benefits. We are still fighting to clarify his identity–in the meantime, we still have to pay our same bills–including the car payment for the car that gets us both to dialysis. Bless you for your help in our great time of need. It is so frustrating to be at the mercy of the ‘powers that be’. If we were healthy, could work, and not have to rely on anyone for our care it would be different. But the kindness and mercy you have shown us will not soon be forgotten by us. God Bless you. Sincerely, Pat M., Sandy, UT
Thank you for the gas card! Gasoline to get to and from dialysis is a huge financial burden. Since I went into Kidney Failure, I’ve been told by my doctors to stop working (I had a very physically demanding job). Since then, my family finances have suffered greatly. Every penny we have now goes to my medical treatments, medications, and transportation. Just before I went into renal failure I had gotten a second job in order to support my youngest son who is serving an LDS religious mission. My inability to work has crippled our whole family. Everyday, I live with guilt for the stress my wife feels in having to take care of me while also working to support us. The assistance to help pay for gas was a true relief. Thank you Kidney Foundation for all that you do. I hope when I have my transplant and can work again, to make a donation to you to help other patients in need.
The federal “cash-for-clunkers” program may be wildly popular with auto buyers, but some Utah charities that rely on vehicle donations for funding say the initiative is cutting into the number of cars and trucks they’re receiving.
The National Kidney Foundation of Utah, which gets more automobile donations than any other charity in the state, estimates the number of vehicles donated to its Kidney Kars program is down 10 percent to 15 percent since the clunkers program began.
Things are much worse at the American Lung Association in Utah. Donations are down 50 percent to 60 percent as many owners of used vehicles opt to take advantage of rebates of up to $4,500 for trading in their gas guzzlers for new fuel-efficient cars instead of making a charitable contribution.
“We’re going to need a few more weeks to really gauge the impact, but already we’re feeling the effects,” said Luz Lewis-Perez, who oversees the Kidney Kars donation program in Utah.
Standing beside an auctioneer at Brashers Auto Auction in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Lewis-Perez watched as 44 cars and trucks donated to the Kidney Foundation were sold. Although some went for a lot more and others a lot less, the average selling price was $680 — enough money for the Kidney Foundation to help several thousand Utahns receiving dialysis pay their bills while they wait for a transplant.
“Fortunately, the ‘cash-for-clunkers’ program is only temporary, while we’re in this
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for the long haul," Lewis-Perez said.Craig Cutright of the American Lung Association in Utah said that only a few years ago, its vehicle donation program was the organization's largest funding source.
Then the federal government changed the rules on how much of a tax deduction those who donate could take. Donations dropped off sharply.
"Now we're having to deal with this 'cash-for-clunkers.' It seems as if the federal government just wants to come up with programs that will harm charities," Cutright said.
Daniel Boroschoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy, takes another view. His watchdog group monitors charities, and he thinks that although some may suffer short term, overall the clunkers program may prove beneficial.
"Some charities may very well see fewer cars donated, but that isn't the only consideration. If this program helps stimulate the economy, then it should help those people that charities exist to serve."
Lewis-Perez said its is easy to understand why the clunkers program is so popular.
"The government is giving out money. But we'd like to remind people who have an automobile they want to get rid of and aren't using for the clunkers program that donating their car [to charity] is truly the best way to get rid of it."
Another big blow for charity organizations who count on old car donations for funding.
First it was a new tax code in 2004, then last year the economy went belly up, and now it’s the federal governments Cash for Clunkers program.
“It’s not a good program for charities,” said Luz Lewis Perez with the National Kidney Foundation of Utah. “We use these vehicles to recycle them or sell them, so we can use the money for our programs.”
According to Craig Cutright with the American Lung Association of Utah they’ve taken about a 50% hit in car donations since the program started a few weeks ago.
“It has not been good…it doesn’t seem like the federal government wants to support non profit organizations,” said Cutright.
The Cash for Clunkers program offers car owners a 4500 dollar credit towards a brand new car for their gas guzzling beat up car as long as it fits into certain requirements.
The engine is then fried and the car is sent to the salvage yard to be recycled.
Many of these clunkers would be donated to charity organizations and the owner would then get a tax credit of 500 dollars or more depending on how much it would sell for.
“It’s taking car sales away from used car dealers it’s taking car donations away from charities, and it’s taking perfectly good vehicles off the road and forcing them to be recycled,” said Perez.
But both organizations say Utahns are generally very giving and believe they will be able to pull through.
“We are hoping to just weather the storm,” said Perez.
If you would like to donate to either organization you can go to: www.kidneykars.org or www.lungutah.org
Another big blow for charity organizations who count on old car donations for funding.
First it was a new tax code in 2004, then last year the economy went belly up, and now it’s the federal governments Cash for Clunkers program.
“It’s not a good program for charities,” said Luz Lewis Perez with the National Kidney Foundation of Utah. “We use these vehicles to recycle them or sell them, so we can use the money for our programs.”
According to Craig Cutright with the American Lung Association of Utah they’ve taken about a 50% hit in car donations since the program started a few weeks ago.
“It has not been good…it doesn’t seem like the federal government wants to support non profit organizations,” said Cutright.
The Cash for Clunkers program offers car owners a 4500 dollar credit towards a brand new car for their gas guzzling beat up car as long as it fits into certain requirements.
The engine is then fried and the car is sent to the salvage yard to be recycled.
Many of these clunkers would be donated to charity organizations and the owner would then get a tax credit of 500 dollars or more depending on how much it would sell for.
“It’s taking car sales away from used car dealers it’s taking car donations away from charities, and it’s taking perfectly good vehicles off the road and forcing them to be recycled,” said Perez.
But both organizations say Utahns are generally very giving and believe they will be able to pull through.
“We are hoping to just weather the storm,” said Perez.
If you would like to donate to either organization you can go to: www.kidneykars.org or www.lungutah.org
I just wanted to thank you for your quick processing of our car donation! I am so happy to know the donation is going to a legitimate charity, right here in Utah. Thanks for making the process so easy. Have a wonderful holiday.Regards,Natalie S.
