WESTCHESTER, Ill. -

Insurance Auto Auctions is about to broaden its charitable work into a national philanthropic campaign meant to boost benevolent organizations as well as be a greater enhancement for the environment.

Company officials said the campaign dubbed, “One Car One Difference” officially kicks off in early December. The initiative calls on individuals to donate their vehicles to their charity of choice while providing these organizations with much needed funds and continue IAA’s efforts to benefit the environment.

IAA indicated partner charities and nonprofit organizations will be announced as they join the effort and likely will include those representing health-related needs, veterans, animals, children and other causes.

Since 1994, executives highlighted, the IAA donation division has provided nonprofit organizations with complete donation processing services — what they believe is a key differentiator in the marketplace that creates a streamlined approach for participants. IAA contends the results have been tremendous.

Last year alone, Insurance Auto Auctions said it returned millions of dollars to more than 100 designated charities throughout North America.

“Insurance Auto Auctions is honored to offer a national platform for charitable and nonprofit organizations to raise funds for their programs, funds that are needed now more than ever before,” state Tom O’Brien, chief executive officer of IAA.

“We’ve been in the salvage auto auction business for over 28 years, with an established and dedicated national call center team and more than 155 branch locations that help make donating a vehicle simple and gratifying,” O’Brien continued. “We know that every car truly can make a difference and provide the public a unique way to turn their vehicles into cash for their charity of choice.”

IAA insisted its bidding platform offers choice and flexibility, making it easy for more buyers to participate and generate high returns for donated vehicles. The company’s donation division can handle and process IRS submissions for each charity or non-profit organization.

These salvage vehicle are up on the block both at live auctions and live-online bidding. Executives stated more than 87 percent of all charitable donors said they would refer a friend to use IAA’s services.

“By establishing this national platform, ‘One Car One Difference,’ Insurance Auto Auctions is honored to provide resources and auction facilities that can directly impact the people, families, animals and communities these charities serve,” explained Jeanene O’Brien, vice president of IAA.

“Salvage auto auctions are our business, but it is more than just auctioning cars — it means turning cars into resources that can provide shelter, food, medication, clothing or other vital services, as well as a sense of dignity and hope,” O’Brien went on to say.

“Vehicle donation not only benefits charities — it is a crucial element of how IAA works to benefit our environment,” she also noted. “IAA’s business model depends on recycling and reusing, which results in quantifiable energy savings. More than 1.7 million tons of steel and over 268,000 tons of aluminum have been recycled, eliminating the need to manufacture that metal as well as keeping it out of landfills each year."

For more information regarding how to participate, go to www.1Car1Difference.com or call (877) 577-1-CAR.