Of all the car donation options currently available in the market and on the web, one of the most popular is the Purple Heart car donation program.

This program is run by a government-chartered organization known as the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a group composed of war veterans and recipients of the honorable Purple Heart medal. The program’s intent is to honor these veterans by funding several types of benefits programs. But where does your donation really go?

Where Your Purple Heart Donation Goes

Although you don’t get to choose exactly where the funds for your Purple Heart car donation go, the organization helps several different nationally-recognized veteran programs. These include the National Service Officer Program, the National Appeals Office, the Court of Veterans Appeals, the National Outreach Program, various educational scholarship programs, and United Service Operations (USO), among others. For most of these programs, the needed funds go not only to veterans and vet hospitals/centers, but to the families and dependents, as well.

Benefits of the Purple Heart Program

As with car donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations, donated vehicles are eligible for tax deductions. The organization streamlines the process by issuing receipts that contain the necessary Vehicle Identification Number and vehicle value. Items accepted include cars, vans, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles, assuming you own the title free and clear.

Donations to the Purple Heart car donation program have the additional bonus of being sincerely needed. While most charitable organizations certainly need all the financial assistance they can get, U.S. war veterans continue to be among the most neglected part of the population, especially given their incredible personal contributions to the safety and happiness of millions of citizens.

Drawbacks to the Purple Heart Program

Although most of the Purple Heart car donation program is similar to other successful vehicle donation programs on both a national and local level, it may not be accessible from all areas. Outlying localities and some cities may not have pick-up services available to them. The organization also encourages its donors to drop off working cars, rather than utilizing their free tow service. This added inconvenience may restrict those who don’t live within towing distance or whose cars are not in working order.

It is advised that potential donors contact the organization directly to learn how to best take advantage of the Purple Heart car donation program.

One of the Best Car Donation Choices

Despite the possibility of difficult transport, making a donation to the Purple Heart car donation program is worth it. Donors have the peace of mind of knowing that their donation is appreciated and that they are not going to be taken advantage of by scam artists or unfair “middle men.” The money goes right where it has for the other 300,000 donors since the program’s onset: to brave war veterans and their families.

You can contact the Purple Heart car donation program toll free at 1-888-414-GIVE (4483). You can also fill out a fairly easy-to-use online form at their website, http://www.purpleheartcars.org.