Kansas Public Radio teams with Vehicles for Charity for fund-raising

LAWRENCE -- People support Kansas Public Radio at the University of Kansas in many ways: by volunteering their time, by pledging during membership drives -- or by giving away their cars, boats, recreational vehicles and motorcycles.

Kansas Public Radio recently joined forces with Denver-based Vehicles for Charity to give listeners a new way to support public radio. When a listener has a usable but unwanted vehicle, he or she can call Vehicles for Charity's toll-free number, (877) 308-2408, to arrange a pick-up. The vehicle then is auctioned.

KPR then receives 60 percent of the sale proceeds. The other 40 percent goes to VFC's partner, Denver's ARC, a group that provides advocacy and support services to people with disabilities and their families.

"This is another great way for KPR listeners to support the station," said Janet Campbell, general manager of KPR. "Our listeners and members help in their own way. If that means donating a car instead of perhaps calling in during the pledge drive, we're happy that they want to support KPR in any way they can."

Vehicles for Charity partners with numerous public broadcasting outlets in such cities cities as Denver; San Antonio, Colorado Springs, Colo., Phoenix, Albuquerque, N.M., Dallas, Chicago, Houston, Salt Lake City and Nashville, Tenn.

KPR is Vehicles for Charity's first partner in Kansas.

"The vehicle donation program has proved to be a real winning fund-raiser for everyone concerned," said Dennis Fadden, director of corporate alliances for Vehicles for Charity. "It helps the donor by providing them with an alternative to trading in a car or truck and at the same time gives them a tax-deductible donation. It helps the station by turning the cars and trucks into much-needed cash, which in turn helps the station continue to provide the audience with quality programming, and the donations help children and adults that have developmental disabilities lead more normal lives. Everybody wins."