Rotary transforms charitable gifts into projects that change lives, both close to home and around the world. Donations have long helped Rotary respond to major challenges, like ending polio, working for peace or for clean water and sanitation, fighting poverty, maternal and child health, promoting literacy and local economic development. Its impact has been significant.

Wishing to further build upon this strong history of community involvement, Rotary District 7620 recently launched a new vehicle donation program with Melwood.

Beginning in July, Melwood, one of the leading nonprofit organizations serving people with differing abilities in Maryland, began managing Rotary 7620’s vehicle donation program from its call center in Waldorf. Under this new partnership, Melwood provides services for the district’s 62 constituent clubs throughout the Maryland and Washington, D.C., area.

The vehicle donation program will serve as a joint effort in support of each organization’s individual community initiatives. Rotary District 7620 will use funding from this new program to support the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund and End Polio Now campaign, as well as a diverse range of charitable projects supported by the district’s local Rotary clubs.

Melwood will use its proceeds to support programs helping people with differing abilities receive training, jobs and workforce support.

For more than12 years, Melwood has operated one of the most successful car donation programs on the East Coast, processing more than 200,000 vehicle donations. Today, it offers management services to a number of charities besides Rotary, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure and its 85 affiliates, 128 programs under the Meals on Wheels Association of America umbrella, more than 225 national chapters of The Arc of the United States, United Cerebral Palsy and its 100-plus affiliates, and National American Business Clubs (AMBUCS), with more than 130 chapters.

How the Program Works

Rotarians generate vehicle donations through contacts with family, friends and associates. The Melwood Vehicle Management Center accepts all cars, trucks, motorcycles and RVs regardless of age or condition of the vehicle. All vehicles with a clean, state-issued title are accepted, even boats on road-worthy trailers, jet skis and snowmobiles. Towing is free.

Melwood will assign the vehicle to a local towing and auction company. Typically the vehicle is picked up within 24-48 hours of donation. The donor must provide the vehicle title and keys to the tow truck operator. A towing receipt will be left with the donor. Once the vehicle has been picked up, Rotary District 7620 Trust Fund will issue a receipt.

To donate, call the Rotary designated number, 1-844-686-7620, or go to the Rotary Vehicle Donation web page, https://goo.gl/dL3Pji, and donate online. The donor must give the name of the Rotary club that is to be credited for the donation. Melwood will ask for this information.

To contact Melwood Charity Car Donation Center directly, visit www.melwoodcars.org or call 1-800-333-4788.