Car Donations Help Young Homeless Vets

Nation experiencing an alarming rise in younger homeless veterans

With more and more men and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, a shocking number are coming back homeless. Leaving with hopes for a future, these young veterans are returning without a job, stability or even a place to sleep. Those who faithfully served our country are now those sleeping on the street, under bridges and in public spaces. The future of our nation's heroes is at stake in Ohio and around the country. At Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio, we work tirelessly every day to change that future and lift up America's young veterans so they can get back on their feet and find independence. When you donate your car, truck, motorcycle, boat or RV, you can help make that goal a reality and give hope to our young heroes.

Young veterans are struggling to rebuild their lives

A December story by NBC News explained that while the number of homeless veterans was down by 7 percent this year according to the Obama Administration's latest report card on veteran homelessness, other advocates say they are still noticing an "alarming" rise in younger homeless veterans. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also confirmed that on "a single night in January 2012, 62,619 veterans were homeless." And although the agency said that veteran homelessness has been reduced by an impressive 17.2 percent since January 2009, homelessness is growing in rural areas. This is due in part because young men and women from small towns are 21.5 percent more likely to enlist in the military than urban youth. This is a daunting statistic for a state like Ohio whose counties are predominantly rural.

NBC News wrote that Iraq War veteran Joe Leal, who leads personal missions to find and help homeless veterans, said, "We house more Iraq and Afghanistan and younger veterans than older veterans. It used to be where a homeless vet was typically about 60 years old. Now, they're 22 years old." He added, "And a lot of them are female veterans who have witnessed combat…They are coming back homeless." 

Volunteers of America has made it our mission to change this fact. When you make a car donation, you are ensuring that our programs can continue to assist our nation's heroes.

Donate your car or truck to Volunteers of America

Imagine if your child returned home from war only to find him or herself without food, shelter or clothing. What if your twenty-something friend or colleague were sleeping in his or her car? These are issues you can help resolve. You truly can make a difference right now, today. Donating your car, truck, motorcycle, boat or RV is simple and hassle-free. You could even receive a higher value for your vehicle as a charitable contribution than you would selling or trading it on the market. We make donating quick and hassle-free with three easy ways to donate.

  1. Fill out the simple form below.
  2. Bring your clear title to 5640 West Broad St., Columbus, Ohio, 43228.
  3. Mail your clear title to 5640 West Broad St., Columbus, Ohio, 43228.

We'll take nearly anything with a motor, even if it hasn't run in years. We even offer free same-day free towing. It's that simple. Every tax-deductible car donation to Volunteers of America helps significantly in allowing us to achieve our fundraising goals every year in all of the Ohio communities we serve, like Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus. If you have any questions or would like to arrange towing, please contact the Car Donation & Auction Office at 614-870-7511 before 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and before 2 p.m. on Saturday.