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When we asked for a vehicle donation we never expected a yellow submarine! Even unusual donations to Volunteers of America help people in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC!

Of course Cars Helping People makes it fast and easy to donate a used car or truck. After all, even a beater that doesn’t run can provide food, shelter and valuable services to people close to home struggling in this difficult economy. But over the years, generous people have gone above and beyond to help people – you wouldn’t believe what they have donated!

And the prize for must unusual donation goes to…the yellow submarine!

A few years ago an engineer got the idea to build himself a working submarine and explore the vast depths of the Great Lakes. Over time this enterprising sailor built a fully functional 8000-pound submarine that could dive to depths of 1000 feet while carrying two passengers. When he was finished he painted it bright yellow. Maybe he was a Beatles fan. Maybe he just had a sense of humor. The yellow submarine was fully pressurized, and even had a specially built trailer that could swing the sub over the lake and lower it gently down into the waiting depths.

For vehicle donation, even if you’re donating a yellow submarine, use the form to the right.

He used it to explore the deep in Lake Superior for a number of years before the engineer decided his days beneath the surface were over. His wife may have had a say in it – the engineer decided to save money during construction by not installing a radio that could communicate with the surface, so every time he took the sub down his wife had to bite her fingernails until he popped back up. The engineer was familiar with the shelters, emergency meal programs, senior housing and job training provided by Volunteers of America. He also knew we would accept a vehicle donation. What he didn’t know was whether vehicle donation included submarines. Suffice it to say undersea watercraft aren’t usually what people donate. Used car…sure. Submarine…not so much.

When we picked up the donation line that day we heard the most unusual question we’ve ever heard (and ever hope to hear) ”Can I donate my yellow submarine?” After we realized he was serious we said, “Of course you can donate a submarine…” We picked it up just like we would a used car donation, and eventually were able to sell it for over $15,000 – enough to provide hot meals for over 20,000 needy people.

No matter what you donate: used car, apartment building or airplane, 100% of your donation stays with Volunteers of America and helps people in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.

We might have to get creative, but you can call Volunteers of America Chesapeake toll free at 877-721-4862 and donate almost anything. Generous people have donated apartment buildings, boats, golf carts and even airplanes. But no matter what you donate – used car, property or an airplane we get you the right IRS paperwork to claim the maximum allowable deduction from your taxes. And pick up is always fast and free…unless your charity donation is a building. Then we’ll probably leave it where it is. No matter what your donation is, it helps us fund important programs that help people in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC to get back on their feet, from programs that help homeless veterans to programs that feed and house vulnerable seniors and children.

Vehicle donation, stock donation or anything in between, we’ll use it to improve the lives of people right here where we live.

Making a gift of stocks is a smart way to donate to charity, since stocks often offer you tax advantages that other types of charity donation don’t. In addition to getting a nice federal tax deduction for the full market value of your stock, you may also be able to avoid capital gains on the appreciation of your stock. In addition, if your donated securities are used to fund a gift annuity or charitable trust there may be estate and gift tax advantages, too.

If you’re thinking about donating stocks to charity, don’t liquidate them to donate the proceeds. Liquidating the stocks yourself jeopardizes your tax benefits. Instead, notify your broker that you want to donate stock to charity and contact Volunteers of America toll free at 877-721-4862. Have your broker’s name and telephone number handy, along with the name of the stock and number of shares you want to donate. We will then contact your broker. You will be notified of the contribution deduction based on the date of your securities transfer.

When we say the generosity of people who donate to Volunteers of America Chesapeake doesn’t know any bounds – we mean it!

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