How the car donation process works
Start With the 2-Minute Form or a Call
Begin online with the quick Coal Valley Charity Cars donation form, or call Heritage for the Blind directly if you prefer to talk it through. You will share basic details: your name, contact information, vehicle year, make, model, general condition, where it is parked, and whether you have the title. There is no cost and no pressure at this stage. If the vehicle is at a Wilkes-Barre apartment, repair shop, workplace, driveway, or storage lot, simply note that so the pickup team can plan ahead.
A Coordinator Calls Back to Schedule Pickup
After your form is submitted, a donation coordinator calls back within 1-2 business hours to confirm the details and schedule your free pickup. They will ask what day and time window works best, verify the pickup address, and explain what you need at the tow. This is also the right moment to mention tight streets, gated lots, parking garages, non-running vehicles, missing keys, or a mechanic holding the car. Donors across the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area can usually find a convenient pickup option quickly.
A Licensed Tow Truck Picks Up Your Vehicle Free
In most metro areas, a licensed tow truck can arrive same-day or the next business day, depending on availability and title readiness. Pickup is free in Wilkes-Barre and nearby communities such as Kingston, Edwardsville, Forty Fort, Plains Township, Hanover Township, Mountain Top, and Pittston. At pickup, you sign the title over, hand over the keys if you have them, and receive pickup paperwork. You do not pay the driver, towing company, Heritage for the Blind, or Coal Valley Charity Cars at any step.
Your Vehicle Goes to Auction or a Parts Reseller
After pickup, the vehicle is transported to an auction or, when appropriate, a parts reseller. The goal is to turn your unwanted car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, RV, or boat into the best practical charitable value based on its condition and market demand. You do not need to clean it perfectly, repair it, advertise it, meet buyers, or negotiate a sale. Once the vehicle is out of your possession, the processing team handles routing, sale preparation, and resale logistics for you.
Sale Proceeds Support Heritage for the Blind
When the vehicle sells, net proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446. Heritage uses donated vehicle proceeds to help fund services for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you or someone in your household is also looking for assistance programs, Heritage can help connect people with benefit eligibility information for SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and other programs through nhftb.org/finder. Your donation is designed to be easy for you and meaningful for the mission.
Your Tax Receipt Arrives by Mail After Sale
After the vehicle sells, your tax documentation is mailed to you. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C. For vehicles that sell for $500 or under, you receive a written acknowledgment. The full donation process typically takes about 2-6 weeks from initial contact to mailed tax receipt, depending on pickup timing, sale date, and processing. Keep your paperwork with your tax records and speak with a tax professional if you have deduction questions.
Key facts about car donation
Pickup is free throughout the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area, including homes, apartments, workplaces, repair shops, and storage lots.
Most metro pickups can be scheduled same-day or next business day, depending on tow availability and title readiness.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446, and handles donation documentation for donors.
You sign the title at pickup; keep your plates according to Pennsylvania PennDOT guidance afterward.
If you need benefits information, Heritage can help you check SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, Section 8, and more at nhftb.org/finder.
Your tax receipt is mailed after sale, usually within the typical two-to-six-week donation timeline window.