Bad Winter Cars Lead to Vehicle Donations Green Bay

Have you been perusing the internet for articles that tell you the “Best Cars for Winter” or “The Worst Cars to Drive in the Snow”? All of the advice can seem confusing, especially if you aren’t familiar with the different types of vehicles that are available out there. Instead of focusing on a specific vehicle, many experts look at key features, like drivetrain.

What Is a Drivetrain?

A drivetrain refers to the transmission and the process used to get power to the drive wheels in a vehicle. Not all vehicles have the same drivetrain. Newer cars are now being offered with all wheel drive options. The question is, overall, what is the best type of drivetrain for a vehicle to have when driving in snow?

4 Wheel Drive

If you own a truck, or even know anyone with a truck, you are probably aware of the ability that 4 wheel drive vehicles have to drive over rough terrain. Although many people often talk about how great 4 wheel drive is for traveling through the snow, many people don’t understand how it works.

4 wheel drive is predominantly found in trucks or SUV’s. Truck experts describe the operation of all 4 wheels as a “part-time” occurrence. In regular driving conditions, these vehicles function as rear wheel drive cars (all of the power is being directed to the back wheels). When 4 wheel drive is activated, power is split 50/50 between the front and back wheels. One especially helpful feature in 4 wheel drive vehicles is the 2 speed transfer case. This allows for low range gearing (designed for use in deep snow or off road driving).  

The ability to utilize all 4 wheels is very handy for slippery and uneven driving over snow and ice. The drawback is vehicle performance in normal conditions. Since vehicles with this type of drivetrain operate in rear wheel drive during regular driving conditions, there is a loss of front wheel grip. 4 wheel drive also adds a considerable amount of weight to a vehicle, affecting economy and the ability to maximize miles per gallon.

Drivers that frequently commute through areas that are subject to long winter's, heavy terrain, or a lot of off road driving generally find that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Do you feel like your vehicle doesn’t have the appropriate drivetrain for the weather? If you are considering switching to another option, consider vehicle donations Green Bay for your old car or truck. Vehicle donations Green Bay are a great way to get rid of an old vehicle. When you donate a vehicle to charity, you may not even have to worry about dropping off your vehicle. Many organizations will almost always come and pick it up.

Donate a Car Milwaukee to Help Fund Many Different Programs

Car donations are increasingly becoming a successful way for charities to raise money.  But if you are conscientious about who you donate to, you may wonder what exactly the charity does with the car and with the money from it.  The charity should be open about their mission, policies, and programs.  One worthwhile charity to consider when you want to donate a car Milwaukee is Rawhide Boys Ranch.

How does it help when I donate a car to charity?

Rawhide offers faith-based help and guidance to at-risk youths and their families.  Their goal is to take broken young men and help them build a strong foundation so they can go on to make good choices and be productive members of society long after they leave the ranch.  When you donate a car to Rawhide, it will likely be sold at an auction.  The money from your Milwaukee car donation can help to fund their many programs, which include:

Residential treatment:  Many young men are sent to live at Rawhide by a court order after they have been in trouble with the law.  Others are sent by concerned parents.  While on the ranch, they live 24/7 in a traditional family environment.  At first, their time is very structured, even in regard to meals and weekends.  The residential program aims to teach healthy family dynamics, self-control, respect, and productive habits.

Family weekends:  This is a three-day retreat that aims to strengthen family relationships and build a strong foundation for your family to grow on.

Counseling services:  Residents at the ranch receive counseling services, but these services are also available for youths and their families who are not living on the ranch.  Rawhide offers individual, group, and marriage counseling.

Alternative schooling:  For at-risk youths who are struggling in traditional school, Rawhide offers alternative schooling.  They will work with the student and the school to give the individual attention that they need.

Adventure camp:  This is a week-long summer camp for at-risk boys.  It aims to teach campers respect, responsibility, and self-control, while encouraging them and giving them hope for the future.

Transitional group home:  After young men finish their time in the residential program and do not need as much supervision, they can be transitioned into community living.  They usually attend a local high school and are employed in the community.

Vehicle Donations: How Are Charity Ratings Determined?

Charities are usually very grateful for donations, so they try to make it easy for you, even for large donations, such as vehicle donations.  They will usually take cars in any condition, and arrange to have the vehicle towed away at your convenience.  They will provide you with proof of the donation, and give you information about claiming a deduction on your taxes for your car donations.  Often, the only difficult part about it is finding the best charity to donate a car to.  There are some major charities that receive millions of dollars in funding, but that comparatively spend very little on programs that actually make a difference.  Your car donations will be wasted if you give to one of those charities, so do some research before you donate.

How are car donation charities rated?

There are different charity watchdog groups that rate non-profit organizations and give donors information on the organization’s fundraising and expenses.  Charity financial reporting can be very complex, and these watchdog groups try to provide a bottom line so that donors can make an informed decision.  They usually audit financial statements, tax forms, state filings, and other documents, then assign the charity a rating.  One of the most important pieces of information when looking for the best charity to donate a car to is the percent of expenses that are spent on programs.  Generally, at least 75% of the expenses should go towards programs.  The rest of the expenses are likely overhead costs such as management and fundraising.  Another indication of the quality of the charity is how much money they spend to raise $100.  This can help to judge fundraising efficiency.  To receive a favorable rating from charity watchdog groups, a charity usually has to spend $25 or less to raise $100; and use at least 75% of their expenses for their programs.

While there are some charities that you should probably avoid, most American charities are actually very responsible and efficient.  When you have a car to donate, just do your homework first and you should be able to find the best charity to donate a car to. You will likely be able to find one that is both efficient and that supports a cause that is important to you.

How Your Sailboat Donations Can Support the Rawhide Ranch

Want to save on docking fees?  Looking to dispose of your old boat?  We’ve got the perfect solution for you: donate your boat to the Rawhide Boys Ranch. Rawhide is a faith-based charity that offers programs for at risk youth throughout Wisconsin.  From residential care to outpatient mental health services, Rawhide has been dedicated to helping troubled youth and their families since 1965.

When you donate your old boat to Rawhide, you’re helping families from all around Wisconsin. In fact, 83% percent of the proceeds from your donation are used to directly fund programs that change the lives of troubled youth. In addition to helping your community, donating your old boat serves as a tax deduction.  On average, those who donate their old boats to Rawhide receive 48% more on their tax deduction than the top charities.

What are Sailboat Donations used for?

Sailboat donations generally are used for 2 things:

1. The majority of donations are used at fundraising auctions and sales.  Rawhide and many other charities take donated boats and have contributors bid or outright buy the sailboat.  The funds received from selling and auctioning off these boats are used to directly fund programs.
2. Some donations are used as equipment for the youth under care of the organization. Rawhide implements physical activity and summer camps as a form of therapy for the families they assist.  Though the majority of boats are put up for auction, select boats are used in the summer programs for the children.

Taking the Next Step

If you’re ready to get this boat moving, visit http://www.rawhide.org/donate-a-sailboat/ and complete the form on the right-hand side.   The form takes about 1 minute to complete.  Afterwards, you’ll be contacted by a representative of Rawhide to schedule a pick-up.   Those pressed for time will be happy to hear that pick-up is free and often completed within 24-48 hours.   After you’ve been in contact, remove all personal items from your boat and locate the title. You will be required to sign off as a seller in order to donate the boat and transfer all responsibility to Rawhide.

Remember, your boat donation is doing more than freeing up space at your house.  It’s helping families throughout Wisconsin strengthen their families and ensure their children get their lives back on the track of success.

Winter Car Trouble Can Cause Drivers to Donate a Car Madison

If you live up north, you may have perused a few articles this season that refer to the need to carry a winter emergency kit. Emergency kits are a great idea. These kits are especially important during the winter season, when temperatures plummet. Most lists of items necessary in kits are pretty similar. While there are a few staple items that seem to find their way into each kit, there are some items that winter survivalists seem to disagree on. The main point of disagreement is how to alert help. The most popular choice is to seek assistance by phone.

Disposable Phone

Disposable phones are most frequently seen on older lists, generally those created before 2003. According to a recent survey, 91% of Americans own cell phones. That number reflects all types of mobile phones, not just smart-phones. Some people still have pay-as-you-go or minute-based plans. Many of the phones available with pay-as-you-go plans are disposable. People that travel frequently sometimes keep these in either their vehicle or with travel gear.

Car Charger

The majority of lists recommend including a car charger in winter emergency kits. The majority of people seem to carry car chargers regularly due to the quick battery loss caused by extended smartphone use. Many smartphone users indicate that they have to charge their phones between afternoon and evening if they are planning on going out. Many drivers that use their phones as navigational devices typically keep their phones plugged in while driving to avoid battery drain.

The most common problem with reliance on car chargers alone is that the car battery must be operational to power a phone car charger. Since dead or drained batteries are one of the most common reasons that result in people getting stranded on the road, drivers must be prepared to use other means to signal or call for help.

Portable Charger

Portable chargers have shrunk and come down in price significantly over the past few years. Portable chargers are one of the most convenient ways to charge mobile phones. These chargers vary greatly in device compatibility, durability, and full charge time. Portables will lose charge over time. If you incorporate one into a winter emergency kit, make sure you fully charge it every so often.

Alerting Others

Regardless of whether help is on the way, drivers must focus on providing awareness to other drivers on the road. Drivers can use hazard lights, reflectors, or road flares to signal that they need help to passersby.

When help arrives, the owner may find out that they can no longer drive their vehicle. When faced with this situation, some owners decide to donate a car Madison. It can be very disheartening to deal with a car that has problems. For some, the decision to donate a car is an emotional one. Many people that choose to donate a car Madison cite that they feel good about the decision, especially if they choose to help a worthwhile charity.

Can I Keep My Winter Tires From My Car Donation?

If you are one of the many Americans who lives in the Great Lakes region, you are probably no stranger to driving in 6+ inches of snow. People from this region can generally anticipate considerable snow accumulation from December through February. In areas like Madison, Wisconsin, average yearly snowfall is 50+ inches. Due to the frequency of harsh weather conditions, many people that live in these areas switch to winter tires around November or December.

Winter Tire Difference

The majority of new cars purchased come with stock, all-season tires. An all-season tire is created to be able to drive in wet, dry, cold, or hot conditions. They are considered a jack-of-all-trades and master-of-none in the auto tire world. For the majority of drivers, all-season tires require the least amount of planning.

Winter tires, on the other hand, are made with different tread patterns than regular tires. Winter tires are made with softer material. The winter tire material is more flexible, which allows for better grip on snowy roads. The traction gained allows for increased steering control and better braking capability. Many traction stability features in new cars can only work if tires can grip the road.

One misconception about winter tires is that they will work correctly when they are only placed as the drive wheels of the car. This can be confusing because many people are aware that they need to add extra weight to the back of rear wheel drive cars to increase traction. Unfortunately, when only two tires are replaced, the lack of grip to the other tires will create a complete lack of traction to the opposite end and cause a vehicle to either spin-out or become unresponsive to steering. If you are going to utilize winter tires, purchase and install a full set. Make sure that you switch the tires back when the temperature climbs, typically in March or April.

When making a car donation, decide if you want to keep your winter tires or all-seasons. If you do decide that you want to keep the tires that are on your car donation, make sure that you make arrangements before your vehicle is picked up or dropped off. If your car donation is being picked up, make sure that whichever set of tires is on the car are installed properly. Be sure to choose a dedicated charity to donate to.