Towson, Md. (September 30, 2009)—County Executive Jim Smith announced that October is Vehicles for Change Month in Baltimore County. This promotional effort will encourage people to donate unwanted vehicles to Vehicles for Change, a non-profit organization that refurbishes and provides donated cars to low-wage families so that they can get and keep good jobs.

County code enforcement officials have responded in the past year to almost 1,700 complaints of untagged and/or inoperable vehicles in neighborhoods. These vehicles are not just unsightly, but can attract vandalism and contribute to neighborhood decline. The majority of these complaints came from citizens, and some were identified in community sweeps or in the course of handling other complaint calls.

"Any way you look at it, this program is an outstanding idea. It puts people back to work at a time when they need it most and it improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods," said County Executive Smith.

Vehicles for Change Program

"The Vehicles for Change program is actually a partner with law enforcement in preserving Baltimore County's quality of life," said Baltimore County Chief of Police Jim Johnson. "These abandoned cars are hazards to children who may want to play in them; they are targets for vandals who strip and deface them; and often they interfere with the free flow of emergency vehicles on our alleys and streets. Vehicles for Change is making a positive change in our neighborhoods."

In addition to refurbishing vehicles to sell to low-wage families, Vehicles for Change also sells poor quality cars for parts to help fund their mission. This helps to protect the environment by getting gas-guzzlers off of the roads and removing inoperable vehicles that may be leaking automotive fluids. 

Program Benefits

During this October promotion, in addition to tax deductions, Baltimore County citizens who donate their vehicles will receive up to $75 worth of gift certificates from Precision Auto Care, Pizza Hut and Giant Food.

Vehicles for Change refurbishes and provides donated cars to low-wage families so that they can keep or secure employment. They are the largest such program in the nation and have awarded more than 3,000 cars and changed some 9,000 lives in Maryland and Virginia since 1999.

Vehicles for Change works with the public directly and also with sponsoring social services and job training agencies that provide a subsidy to help cover the client's purchase cost. Baltimore County Director of Social Services Tim Griffith announced that the County will fund $12,000 to assist six Welfare-to-work clients in acquiring cars from Vehicles for Change through a collaborative program with the Community College of Baltimore County. 

Vehicles for Change Survey Results

According a recent survey conducted for Vehicles for Change:

• 73 percent of Vehicles for Change clients have gotten better jobs - increasing their income by an average of $5,000 per year
• 92 percent felt more independent
• 94 percent were taking children to new activities
• 100 percent were using their car to take children to the doctor and daycare
• 82 percent said their overall life had improved

People may get more information by contacting Vehicles for Change at 410-242-9674, or vehicles for www.change.org

Photos from event will be available soon at www.bacophoto.com/