When Debra M. moved to Seattle from Colorado six and a half years ago, she brought with her a deep spirit of resilience and a desire to give back. Recently, she took a powerful step to live out that value by donating her car to the Cars for Homes program. The program, which Habitat for Humanity International launched twenty years ago, accepts donated vehicles, resells or recycles them, and uses the profits to support the mission of building abundant affordable housing.
“I first heard about Habitat years ago when I was a single mom living in Montrose, Colorado,” Debra shared. “I knew about the housing programs, but I didn’t know Habitat accepted cars until I saw something on TV. I started researching and realized this was the perfect fit. I wanted to do something good with my car, something meaningful.”
Debra’s car held sentimental value. It originally belonged to her son-in-law, and after her daughter’s family relocated to Florida, Debra bought the vehicle. It had been a part of their Seattle life, and donating it was a way to pass that legacy on.
“Of course, it was a little difficult emotionally,” she admitted. “But I knew I wanted it to go somewhere that would make a difference.”
For Debra, the process was straightforward, though timing was a little stressful. She needed the car picked up before her license plates expired to avoid paying for another year.
“Luckily, they were able to pick it up just in time. Everything worked out, and I felt really good knowing it was going to a cause I believe in.”
Debra has seen the importance of affordable housing up close. After relocating to Seattle, she stayed with her daughter for a time before finding a more stable situation. That experience shaped her understanding of housing insecurity—and it’s why Habitat’s mission resonated so deeply.