How the car donation process works
You donate online and schedule free West Virginia pickup
Start your donation with Appalachian Autos by sharing basic vehicle details, including the year, make, model, mileage, title status, and whether the vehicle runs. Free towing is available across West Virginia, from Kanawha City and South Charleston to Star City, Cheat Lake, Vienna, Weirton, and surrounding rural roads. You do not need to repair, clean, or advertise the vehicle first. Once your pickup is scheduled, a towing provider collects the car at a convenient location, whether it is parked at your home, workplace, apartment lot, or repair shop.
After pickup, the vehicle is assessed for the best sale path
After your car is picked up, it is evaluated based on condition, mileage, drivability, market demand, and likely resale value. This assessment helps determine the most appropriate way to convert the vehicle into charitable revenue for Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446). The goal is not to make the process complicated for you; it is to choose a practical sale channel that matches the vehicle. A dependable sedan from Morgantown may be handled differently than a non-running truck in Beckley or a high-mileage SUV near Martinsburg.
Running, resalable vehicles typically go to auction
If your donated car runs and appears to be in resalable condition, it will typically be sent to a public or dealer auction. Auction buyers may include dealers, wholesalers, repair shops, exporters, or individuals depending on the auction format and local market. Appalachian Autos does not promise that a donated vehicle will be given directly to a family, because the standard process is designed to generate sale proceeds for Heritage for the Blind. When the vehicle sells, the gross sale price becomes the basis for your tax receipt if it sells for more than $500.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may go to salvage or parts buyers
If a vehicle does not run, has major mechanical issues, heavy rust, collision damage, or very high mileage, it will typically be sold to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. This can still create meaningful value for the charity, even when a car is not practical to repair or retail. A vehicle that has been sitting in a driveway in Wheeling or needs costly repairs in Huntington can often be processed for parts, scrap, or salvage resale. Either way, the purpose is the same: turn the vehicle into proceeds for Heritage for the Blind.
Sale proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind services
Once the vehicle is sold, the proceeds go directly to Heritage for the Blind (EIN 58-2164446), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Those sale proceeds are revenue that helps fund services and resources for people who are blind or visually impaired. Heritage also helps connect people with benefit information, and donors or loved ones who want to check eligibility for programs such as SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and other support can visit nhftb.org/finder. Your unused vehicle becomes a way to support practical assistance and mission-driven outreach.
You receive the proper tax documentation after the sale
After the sale is completed, you receive documentation for your records. If your donated vehicle sells for more than $500, your tax deduction is generally equal to the gross sale price, and Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C. This form reports the sale information needed for your federal tax return. For vehicles that sell for $500 or less, IRS rules may differ, so it is wise to speak with a tax professional about your situation. Appalachian Autos keeps the process organized so you know what to expect.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available for eligible vehicle donations throughout West Virginia communities and nearby rural areas.
Vehicles are assessed after pickup to determine the most practical sale channel based on condition.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to a public or dealer auction.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles typically go to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles selling over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.