DONATE YOUR CAR
There are just 3 simple steps!
1. Contact Us
2. Schedule Pickup
3. Tax Deduction

Help Create Fresh Starts
In Steel City, many residents are working hard but still running into roadblocks. Some are struggling to find steady jobs after a layoff, while others carry the weight of a past record or lack of formal education. These barriers make it hard to get ahead, no matter how determined someone is.
Your unused vehicle can help break those barriers. Through Goodwill Car Donations, it becomes funding for job training, career coaching, and support services that give your neighbors the tools to succeed. It’s a simple, meaningful way to lift up your city while caring for the community you call home.
Stress-Free Car Donation in Just 3 Steps
Making a difference with a donated vehicle only takes a few minutes of your time. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Tell us about your car. Call or go online to provide a few basic details. Once we confirm them, we’ll take care of the rest.
- Free pickup at your location. Whether you’re in Aetna, Emerson, or near Marquette Park, we’ll come pick up your vehicle a day or two after you reach out.
- Claim your tax write-off. Roughly 30 days after your vehicle sells, we’ll mail you a tax-deductible receipt. Keep it handy when you file.
Perks You’ll Enjoy as a Donor
Your gift fuels programs in Steel City, but it also makes your life easier. Take a look at the benefits that come with donating:
- Tax savings that count: Your deduction depends on your car’s sale price. The higher it sells, the bigger your benefit.
- Completely free process: From towing to title work, we cover all the costs. You won’t see any surprise fees.
- We do the heavy lifting: Our team completes all forms and mails your tax receipt directly. You won’t have to lift a finger.
- Stress-free alternative to selling: Skip the marketplace chaos and donate instead – it’s quicker and safer.
- Give as-is: Vehicles with missing parts, heavy damage, or dead batteries can often still qualify. If you’re unsure, we’ll go over a few details with you and help confirm what’s possible.
Vehicle Pickup Services All Over Gary
Our towing partners know the city inside and out. Whether it’s residential homes in Emerson or vehicles parked near Marquette Park, we’ve towed from all corners of the city. Here are some of the neighborhoods we usually cover:
- Downtown Gary: Empty skyscrapers and the shuttered casino tell the story of better times when U.S. Steel employed thousands, and the city actually had people downtown after dark. We retrieve abandoned cars from vacant lots and help the few remaining businesses whose delivery trucks couldn’t make it through another pothole season.
- Miller Beach: Gary’s last stable neighborhood sits on Lake Michigan, where Chicago professionals bought beach houses thinking the city would turn around. Between boats that never launch and cars that can’t handle the lake effect winter, we work these sandy streets where optimism meets reality.
- Glen Park: Bungalows from the steel boom days slowly empty as families flee to Merrillville or anywhere else that isn’t Gary. We pull cars from driveways of abandoned houses and help the holdouts clear yards full of vehicles left behind by neighbors who didn’t bother taking them.
- Midtown: The Broadway corridor shows what happens when the steel mills close and nobody has a plan B. Those empty lots between surviving houses mean we’re removing cars that have been sitting so long the city forgot to ticket them.
- Emerson: Former middle-class blocks near the old Methodist hospital now have more vacant lots than houses. We haul away stripped cars from alleys and help elderly residents remove vehicles their kids left behind when they moved out of state.
- Tolleston: West of Broadway, these streets once housed Polish and Mexican steel workers whose grandkids now live in the suburbs. Our haulers clear properties before demolition and remove cars from yards where three generations of rust tell the family’s story.
Haven’t spotted your neighborhood here? There’s a good chance we’ve worked in your area – just share a few details, and we’ll let you know what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When can I expect my vehicle to be towed?
Usually, within 24-48 hours after you reach out. If you have a specific deadline, let us know, and we’ll do our best to move faster.
2. What documents are required for donation?
In most cases, you’ll need a clear title. If there’s a lien or anything that looks off, don’t worry – we’ll walk you through what’s needed to keep things moving.
3. Will you accept an abandoned vehicle?
Unfortunately, we’re not able to take abandoned vehicles since a valid title in your name is typically required. If you’re unsure about your situation, feel free to reach out – we’ll help point you in the right direction.
4. What happens to my Gary car donation once you have it?
We sell it at auction, and the proceeds directly support Goodwill’s local programs, including:
- Skills training for better jobs
- One-on-one career coaching
- Employer partnerships and placement support
- GED and educational courses
- Financial literacy workshops
5. When should I expect my IRS receipt?
We’ll mail it within a month after your vehicle is sold. If you need it sooner, tell us, and we can email a copy. We’ll keep you updated along the way so you know exactly when to expect it.”
6. What if my title still shows the name of the previous owner?
Don’t worry, it’s a routine fix. Our Title Department will guide you through updating the ownership. Should you need to visit the BMV, the correct location is the Gary License Agency at 661 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402, and we’ll make sure you’re fully prepared.
Got something specific you’re wondering about? Head over to our FAQ page, or use our contact form for a fast, personal reply.
From Burden to Blessing: Donate Your Car Today
That worn vehicle in your garage doesn’t have to be a hassle any longer. We’ll pick it up for free, handle all the paperwork, and mail you a tax-deductible receipt.
At the same time, your gift fuels life-changing programs for people in your community who are ready to rebuild. One simple step can lead to big results.
Donate today by calling 866-233-8586 or filling out our online form.

At a Glance
- You act now: Clear your driveway and enjoy tax savings
- They benefit tomorrow: Job training, education, and career support
- Gary grows stronger: Neighbors gain stability, confidence, and second chances