Campaign to Aid Relief Services (CARS)

Get rid of that clunker and save a life! The Operation CARS (Campaign to Aid Relief Services) program allows you to donate your vehicle (car, truck, RV, boat) to the Red Cross. All proceeds from the auction of your vehicle go to benefit the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter local programs and services.

Effective January 1, 2005, legislation enacted at the federal level limits a taxpayers' deduction for a motor vehicle donation, the claimed value of which exceeds $500, to the gross proceeds actually received by the charity from the sale of the vehicle. For more details please contact your tax advisor. In addition to the great feeling you get from helping your community, you also get to deduct the value of your car (determined by you) from your taxes. Check out our CARS FAQ's for more information.

Take a look below at the donor checklist to ensure your vehicle is eligible for donation and when you're ready to donate your vehicle, please click here to visit our online donation center.

Donor Checklist

Please contact Liz Robertson at (314) 516-2782 to discuss the vehicle to be donated. A car intake form must be completed with every car donation.

The American Red Cross needs to have clear title before a car can be accepted. If title is not clear, title will be returned to donor. For all title questions please call Jefferson City Department of Motor Vehicles at (573) 526.3669.

• Send clear, signed title to the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, 10195 Corporate Square, St. Louis, MO 63132. The owner(s) of the vehicles must sign the back of the title in the box marked "Signature of Seller(s)" and print name in box marked "Printed Name of Seller(s)." The donor should complete no other information on the title. American Red Cross and the St. Louis Auto Auction will complete other information when the car is sold.
• When the clear title arrives at the American Red Cross it will then be turned over to the St. Louis Auto Auction. Copies of the title will also be kept at the American Red Cross.
• The tow company will call you to schedule a date and time for the vehicle tow. The donor does not have to be present when the vehicle is towed. The date and time of vehicle pick-up will be made only after the clear, signed title is received at the American Red Cross.
• The vehicle is towed directly to St. Louis Auto Auction and sold. A receipt and payment will then be sent to the American Red Cross.
• A letter acknowledging the value of the vehicle donation is provided to you from the Chapter within 30 days of the sale. For information on tax benefits please see your tax advisor.