The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Five States Tap into Key Funding Opportunities Through Insurance Auto Auctions Car Donation Program


insurance auto auctions

WESTCHESTER, IL--January 18, 2011: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA), the leading live and live online salvage auto auction company and wholly owned subsidiary of KAR Auction Services, Inc. , today announced the addition of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) as the newest benefactor charity to join its national car donation campaign, One Car One Difference®. One Car One Difference® will now provide critical funding to RMHC chapters located in five states, including Florida, Kentucky, North Dakota, Ohio and West Virginia. These mark the first of many local and regional charities expected to join the campaign as One Car One Difference® continues to grow its partnership with RMHC.

“With 159 locations across North America, we understand the impact of charitable giving in communities and believe One Car One Difference will not only raise awareness of the benefits of vehicle donation, but also will make a significant difference for charities in need of additional funding streams”

Participating RMHC chapters will use the funds generated from donated cars to support its Ronald McDonald House program and other vital services for the families of seriously ill children. In fact, one donated vehicle can provide up to one week of housing for a family in a Ronald McDonald House allowing them to focus on their critically ill child. Ronald McDonald House Charities created the following video to help demonstrate the value of a donated vehicle: 1 Car = 1 Week.

"With 159 locations across North America, we understand the impact of charitable giving in communities and believe One Car One Difference will not only raise awareness of the benefits of vehicle donation, but also will make a significant difference for charities in need of additional funding streams," said Tom O'Brien, chief executive officer of IAA. "We are excited to initiate this partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities in five states and are working with them to expand the benefits of this relationship to other parts of the country so that more families in need can reap the greatest value from each car donated."

RMHC maintains 310 houses in 52 countries across the world. The Houses allow families to stay together, providing greater stability for those in need and helps children heal faster and cope better. From its beginnings as a grassroots movement established by a partnership between volunteers and regional McDonald's Owner/Operators, the charity serves thousands of families at their deepest times of need every year.

Through this new partnership, One Car One Difference® is helping many regional and local chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities secure more programming dollars through used car donations. These include four in Ohio; Central Ohio, Dayton, Cincinnati and Northwest Ohio; two in Kentucky, the Bluegrass and Kentuckiana; one in North Dakota, the Red River Valley; one in Southwest Florida and the Tri State house based in West Virginia. Of these chapters, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio operates the second largest Ronald McDonald House in the world. The chapter has provided families with seriously ill children in this region a home-away-from-home for nearly 30 years. In 2010 alone, it served nearly 3,000 families by providing over 20,000 nights at the House.

"We're excited to partner with One Car One Difference® because it is a unique way for chapters to attract additional funding without requiring us to expend additional resources," said Ryan Wilkins, director of community relations and marketing, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. "The One Car One Difference team keeps things simple by managing the entire donation process, which includes running the 24-hour, 7-day a week national call center, picking up cars from donors as well as processing them for us. The money raised through each car donated could mean a week's stay for a family at one of our facilities, as well as meals and other services."

RMHC joins six other prominent national charities in the One Car One Difference® program including the National Kidney Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, Boy Scouts of America's Chicago area Council, Yellow Ribbon Registry Network, American Heart Association and Society of St. Vincent de Paul -- in their quest to build awareness for the benefits charities and those in need receive as a result of donated vehicles, as well as develop alternative, creative funding streams.

Since 1994, the IAA Donation Division has provided non-profit organizations with complete donation processing services -- a key differentiator in the marketplace that creates a streamlined approach for participants -- and has fueled tremendous results. In 2010, well over 100 designated charities throughout North America benefitted from millions of dollars in vehicle donations through IAA's services. Over 90 percent of IAA vehicle donors said they would refer a friend to use IAA's unique services.

About Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.

Insurance Auto Auctions is the leading live and live-online salvage vehicle auction company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of KAR Auction Services, Inc. . Headquartered in Westchester, Illinois, IAA owns nearly 160 auction facilities throughout North America offering towing, financing and titling services. With the most auction facilities in North America, IAA provides registered buyers from around the globe with millions of opportunities to bid on and purchase donated and salvaged vehicles. Since 1982, IAA has sold millions of vehicles through its weekly auctions for insurance companies, fleet and rental companies, financing companies, charity organizations and the general public. IAA also leverages its business model to assist hundreds of charitable organizations in the US through its One Car One Difference® campaign. To date IAA has provided millions of dollars in additional funding to charities by assisting in the processing of donated vehicles. Learn how we are making a difference by visiting 1 Car Difference. With a talented team of over 1,800 employees, IAA is committed to providing customers with the highest level of services in the salvage auto industry. Go to IAAI to learn more, and follow IAA on Facebook and Twitter.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities, please visit RMHC.