Salvation Army car donations down

Saturday, May 7th 2005, 5:09 pm

By: News On 6

The Salvation Army's Adult Drug Rehabilitation program relies on car donations to pay the bills, but the organization says new changes in the tax law have cut their donations by dozens of cars.

The Salvation Army says their adult rehabilitation center helps about 80 men at a time get off drugs and alcohol. The organization survives strictly on donations mostly donated cars that they auction off.

But so far this year those donations are down by almost 90 vehicles. There were about 35 cars up for auction today but thatâ€™s down about 15 from this time last year.

The donation drop has the rehab center facing a $60,000 hole. Salvation Army leaders say new changes in the tax laws are behind the drop. There used to be a tax loophole that allowed folks to drive off with big tax deductions if they donated their car to a charity. Now you can only deduct what the charity raises for your car.

The Salvation Army says the change shouldn't scare off potential donors.

Major McConniel, Salvation Army: "That donating a vehicle is no longer an option, a viable way to help your charity and get a tax deduction, that's not true. You can still receive a meaninful tax deduction, but its going to be based on what we realize."

The Salvation Army auctioned off all 35 cars Saturday.They raised $25,000, thatâ€™s $10,000 short of last year.