C.A.R.S. Ministry

Crystal Lake 100 South Main Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Español 67 Algonquin Rd Auditorio Lakeside (Entrada D), South Barrington, IL 60010 Huntley 38W133 Huntley Road, Dundee, IL 60118 North Shore 2200 Shermer Rd, Glenview, IL 60026 South Barrington 67 Algonquin Rd, South Barrington, IL 60010 South Lake 625 Barclay Blvd., Lincolnshire, IL 60069 Wheaton 900 N. Prince Crossing Rd., West Chicago, IL 60185

C.A.R.S. Ministry ®

Christian Automotive Repair Services: A Willow Creek Care Center ministry

In the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, public transportation is limited, making it difficult for individuals without a car to get to work, pick up their kids from school, or make it to and from the grocery store. Owning and maintaining a car is expensive, including oil changes, replacing tires, unexpected issues and repairs, and the cost of keeping a gas tank full. The C.A.R.S. Ministry provides reliable transportation to those in need through refurbished, donated vehicles with the help of volunteer mechanics.

Support The C.A.R.S. Ministry

Donate

We operate solely on donations. C.A.R.S. can use any vehicle, boat, motorcycle, or RV, running or not, engine in or out, smashed up bumper, front-end collision—we will take it. C.A.R.S. can tow your vehicle from its location, free of charge.

Donate A Vehicle

OfferUp

Did you know you can support the C.A.R.S. Ministry by buying a car on OfferUp? Browse our selection to see what vehicles are available.

Buy A Car

EBay

Support the C.A.R.S. ministry by shopping our eBay page for donated parts.

Shop For Parts

Donating Your Vehicle

We accept running and non-running cars, trucks, SUV’s, campers, trailers, motorcycles, and boats.

To drop off your vehicle: The C.A.R.S. garage is located at the South Barrington campus, at the very northwest part of the building (near the G Dock). Donations are accepted Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

To have C.A.R.S. pick up your vehicle: C.A.R.S. can tow your vehicle from its location, free of charge. Our pick up schedule is generally Monday through Friday; however towing can also be arranged for Saturday if needed.

When donating your vehicle, please provide the following:

All keys, including truck, gas door, ignition
Title
Any accessories

Please remember to remove your I-PASS transponder, garage door opener, audio accessories/equipment, documents from the glove box, and license plates. A receipt will be mailed for your tax deduction within 14 days of the donation.

Car Donation FAQs

How will C.A.R.S. maximize my donation?

The C.A.R.S. Ministry is a self-supporting ministry of Willow Creek Community Church that relies solely on the generosity of donors for ministry operations. We work hard to maximize the value of each donated vehicle, enabling us to make more benevolent repairs and to give away more vehicles. We do this by utilizing optimal sales channels, such as public auto auctions, eBay online auctions, and dealer consignment. The C.A.R.S Ministry develops good relationships with salvage yards to yield higher-than-average values for vehicles that cannot be repaired. In addition, because all repair labor is done by volunteers, the full proceeds from the sale of any vehicle go back into the ministry, helping those we serve.

Your donation is utilized in one of the following ways:

Giveaway: As much as we would like every car we take in to be given away, it’s not possible. The ideal vehicles that we would like to giveaway are 4-door, 4-cylinder, inexpensive on gas, repairs, and insurance. We foresee these vehicles lasting the qualified recipient at least two years. If and when properly maintained , we’ve known them lasting much longer. The vehicles that are given away are inspected and repaired, then test driven before the new owner takes possession.
Sale: We have established relationships to help generate revenue for the ministry and thus recycle resources back to C.A.R.S. to help pay for the parts in other giveaway cars. We do this through a retail nationwide auction such as eBay motors: through a public auction in the Chicagoland area: through the consignment to local dealers who will sell vehicles on our behalf; and finally, if the vehicle is in a condition beyond repair we may need to sell it to a local salvage yard. Our relationship with local salvage yards enables us to yield higher-than-average values.

How much is my donated car worth?

Once C.A.R.S. receives your donation, within 14 days we will notify you the way in which we intend to use your donation. If we determine that your vehicle will be used to further the ministry purposes, thus by giving your vehicle to a qualified individual or by using ministry funds to repair your vehicle, you are then allowed to take the fair market value for your vehicle as described in many car value guides (i.e. Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides). If we decide it’s not financially feasible to repair your vehicle and we dispose of it in the condition it was donated, you would be allowed to claim the amount we receive for the car. Within 30 days of its sale, we will notify you of the amount we received for it and the way in which it was utilized. Willow Creek Community Church is responsible for filing IRS form 1098-C on your behalf. We must have your Social Security number in order to file this form with the IRS.

How do individuals receive donated vehicles?

All guests interested in receiving a car must meet with the Care Team to qualify. Eligibility is based on but not limited to income level, intended use of vehicle, and involvement at Willow. The Care Team offers appointments and accepts walk-ins during Care Center operating hours.

Willow Creek Care Center Hours

Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 8 a.m.–10 a.m.

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C.A.R.S. Ministry ®

Christian Automotive Repair Services: A Willow Creek Care Center ministry