Anyone know anything about VOA?
Kasia October 22nd, 2007
My friend and fellow neophyte Jill got a call from the Volunteers of America. They were going to be in her neighborhood picking up donations, and wanted to know if she had anything to donate. Jill, being both smart and a conscientious new Catholic, asked some friends if they knew anything about VOA.
All I knew about them going in was that they take car donations and sell the cars. One of my cousins bought her car from them, and it’s no great shakes from what I hear, but I don’t think that’s VOA’s fault. For one thing, people who donate their used cars instead of selling them often do so because the car’s a headache and a money pit, and they know they’ll get more in a tax deduction than they would from a buyer. For another thing, she didn’t do any research about the reliability of the car’s make, model and year. I believe her exact words were “This is my decision, and I don’t have time to research the market.”
Anyway. So I, being a Web research geek, hopped online to see if I could find anything. I’ve found very little so far that tells me anything meaningful. I did get a red flag when I saw that their HIV/AIDS work includes “prevention” but didn’t say through what means. And they’re very vague about who they are: they say they’re “faith-based” but you have to hunt through their site to even find out that they mean Christian. Forget about finding out if they’re affiliated with a particular denomination. And while their executive board’s bios are very well done, I can’t find any record of the members I Googled having made any statement one way or another on, say, abortion or birth control. Which is their prerogative, and I’m certainly happy that there appear to be at least a couple of high-profile people whose opinions on everything I don’t know…but before I suggest that someone donate to an organization, I like to know if they’re, oh let’s say for example, partnering with Planned Parenthood or something.
Jill has decided, wisely I think, to skip them for the time being. However, now my interest is piqued. Does anyone out there know anything about this group’s history, priorities, and compatibility with Catholic teaching? Inquiring neophyte minds want to know… 
Just my opinion: why mess with VOA when you can make donations to St Vincent De Paul stores?
Oh certainly – I usually give to SVDP, or if I’m feeling ecumenical the Salvation Army. Both do great work.
I think what prompted Jill’s dilemma was simply the fact that they called and asked, and the convenience of having it picked up by someone was appealing. I know I’ve had trouble getting the Salvation Army to pick up, though I haven’t tried SVDP.
But now I’m curious about the VOA for a couple of reasons. One, they have ads all over the local news radio station. Another is because I drive an old car, and in a few years I’m hoping to buy another one. When I do, I’ll probably just donate my current one, as it’s already got 240-some thousand miles on it, and if the good Lord is willing it’ll have over 300 by the time I replace it.
And finally, now I’m curious because their site was just so confoundedly VAGUE!!!
But — an excellent point. Thanks much!
I agree with admin…so many excellent Catholic charities that I won’t even take the time to research ones that aren’t (one exception: Wounded Warriors).
Years ago, I donated my mini-van that needed a new transmission to a church (a Baptist church, I think). They had volunteer mechanics who did the repairs and then gave the cars to people who needed them. I had the pleasure of seeing my old mini-van out on the road one day. The church even had someone come and tow it. My point: tons of places will take your car. If a charity is that difficult to research, don’t bother.