Community Corner
Environmental Nonproft Seeks Vehicle Donations
We Are Here Foundation offers donors full taxable value on used boats, cars and RVs.
A worthy organization that has helped keep local lakes, rivers and parks clean for more than a decade—and two of its longtime volunteers—could use a little help.
The We Are Here Foundation, an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been conducting environmental cleanups for Lake St. Clair, the Clinton River, and area parks for going on 15 years. The organization also has a scholarship program and recently awarded two $500 scholarships to local college-bound students who have taken an active role in the environment in their communities.
The group conducts the annual Nautical Coast Cleanup, held each year on the third Sunday in May, which includes all of the parks in Harrison Township through St. Clair Shores and through the Grosse Pointes; and the Clinton River log jam removal program in the fall, which allows a freer-flowing, healthier river.
Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoresfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
What makes all of the above possible are donated cars, boats and RVs. Unfortunately, ever since the Bush tax cuts were implemented, many people stopped donating vehicles.
“Basically the IRS rules today say that … if the charity intends to significantly use the boat, RV or car, or materially improve the boat, RV or car, the donor receives the fair market deduction. … People can still receive a 100-percent tax deduction on all boats, cars and vehicles that we fix up, and most people don’t know that right now,” said organization founder Tom Cleaver.
Find out what's happening in St. Clair Shoresfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Donors can help themselves, help the We Are Here Foundation carry on its work, and at the same time allow the nonprofit group to give back to two dedicated women who have given many hours to cleaning up the environment and who are in need of a reliable car.
“They’re both hard-working and they’ve always been there for us and it’s time for us to do something for them,” Cleaver said. “In this economy it’s tough to keep their houses and everything else, so anything we can do to help we will always do it.”
For details on how to donate, call the We Are Here Foundation at (586) 778-4478.
