Donating a Vehicle? - Drive On

Why Rides 4 Refugees is Different from Other Vehicle Donation Programs

Maria and the Chrysler Town and Country she donated

Do you have a vehicle that’s been replaced or no longer fits your lifestyle? Instead of letting it sit unused—taking up space, gathering dust, and racking up insurance costs—consider putting it back to work for a meaningful cause.

Rides 4 Refugees offers a unique approach to vehicle donation. Unlike many organizations that immediately sell donated vehicles, we aim to reuse, not resell.

When you donate a car to Rides 4 Refugees, the first step is a full inspection by a professional mechanic. We carefully evaluate the vehicle’s safety and reliability to determine whether it can be placed directly into the hands of someone who needs it most—a refugee rebuilding their life here in Central Ohio.

If a vehicle has significant structural rust, critical safety issues, improperly performed repairs or significant reliability issues, we won’t pass it on to our clients. In those cases, the car is sold for scrap value instead. Safety is our top priority. There’s a remarkable amount of engineering behind a safe, functional vehicle, and we honor that by ensuring it performs as intended.

Beyond basic safety, we also address maintenance needs—replacing worn brakes, rotors, or tires as needed. While we can’t fully guarantee an older vehicle, we make every effort to provide reliable transportation that helps our clients get to work, school, and appointments during the crucial early stages of resettlement.

One great example of a donated vehicle finding new life was a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country that came to us. This well-loved van had served the Maria Holderman family faithfully for over 206,000 miles. It carried them through years of family life and countless trips, but eventually, it was time for an upgrade. Despite its age and visible wear—including exterior body rust and other signs of a long life—it still had potential. The structure was sound and safe and the engine ran well.

Thankfully, Maria’s mother had recently attended a presentation about Rides 4 Refugees at her local civic organization. She encouraged Maria to donate the van to us, and we’re so glad she did. After a detailed inspection and a few modest repairs—a repaired roof liner, a side mirror, and some fresh tires—the van was back on the road and ready for its next chapter.

That chapter began when the Alrammahi brothers were referred to us. Newly arrived from Iraq with their parents, they had almost no savings and were working an early morning shift stocking shelves. Without a vehicle, they were waking up at 2 a.m. to make the four-mile walk to work. The donated van changed everything. It gave them reliable transportation to their jobs, and the impact didn’t stop there. A year later, they’re still using the van and incredibly grateful. One brother is starting college classes in Dublin, and the other is finishing high school. This would have not been possible without a vehicle to help them get to work and school. Thanks to the generosity of one family, this van is now helping another family build a future.

Alrammahi brothers and their newly acquired 2006 Chrysler Town and Country

So if you’re wondering what to do with a vehicle you no longer need, remember this:

“Think reuse, not resell” and choose Rides 4 Refugees and help someone truly drive forward.