The Fall Cleanup Guide: Clear Your Garage, Donate Your Car, and Change a Life

As the leaves change color and temperatures drop, fall brings the perfect opportunity to tackle projects you've been putting off all year. While spring cleaning gets all the attention, fall is actually the ideal time to declutter, organize, and prepare your home for winter.

And if you have an unwanted vehicle taking up valuable space in your garage or driveway, this season offers a unique opportunity to clear that space while making a profound difference in a child's life.

Why Fall Is The Perfect Time To Clean Out Your Garage

Fall presents a narrow window between summer activities and winter storage needs. Before you need to make room for snow blowers, holiday decorations, and winter sports equipment, now is the time to evaluate what's really earning its keep in your garage.

That old car sitting dormant? The truck you've been meaning to sell? The RV that hasn't seen a camping trip in years? These vehicles aren't just taking up physical space—they're occupying mental space too. Every time you squeeze past them or work around them, you're reminded of the task you haven't completed.

Winter is coming, and with it comes the need for functional garage space. You'll want room to park your daily driver out of the snow and ice. You'll need space for your snow removal equipment. You'll want easy access to holiday decorations and winter gear. An unwanted vehicle sitting in your garage or driveway makes all of this harder.

The Hidden Costs Of Keeping An Unwanted Vehicle

Beyond the obvious space issues, that unwanted vehicle is costing you in ways you might not realize:

Registration and Insurance Even if you're not driving it, many states require you to maintain registration. Insurance companies may require coverage for vehicles on your property, whether they run or not.

Deterioration Vehicles that sit unused deteriorate faster than those in regular use. Tires develop flat spots. Batteries die. Fluids break down. Rust sets in. The longer you wait, the less value that vehicle retains.

Property Value An inoperable or unused vehicle in your driveway isn't doing your property value any favors. Curb appeal matters, and that eyesore matters to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell your home.

Opportunity Cost Think about what you could do with that garage space. A workshop? A home gym? Actually parking your daily driver inside? The possibilities are endless once you reclaim that space.

Your Fall Cleanup Checklist

Ready to tackle your fall cleanup? Here's your action plan:

Week 1: Assessment

• Walk through your garage and driveway
• Identify vehicles you no longer use or need
• Check registration status and locate titles
• Take photos of vehicles (you'll need these anyway for donation)
• Measure available space and envision how you'd use it

Week 2: Decision Time

• Be honest about which vehicles you'll actually use
• Consider the cost of repairs versus the benefit of keeping the vehicle
• Think about seasonal storage needs approaching with winter
• Evaluate tax benefits of donating before year-end

Week 3: Action

• Contact Wheels For Wishes for vehicle removal
• Gather necessary paperwork
• Schedule your free pickup
• Start planning how to use your reclaimed space

Week 4: Reorganization

• Once the vehicle is removed, deep clean the space
• Install storage solutions for winter equipment
• Set up your newly functional garage or driveway
• Enjoy the satisfaction of a completed project

Why Donate Instead Of Sell?

You might be thinking, "Why not just sell it?" Here's why donating your car makes more sense, especially during fall cleanup:

Time Savings Selling takes time—listing, responding to inquiries, showing the vehicle, negotiating, handling paperwork. Fall is busy enough with holiday preparations approaching. Donation takes one phone call.

No Repairs Needed Buyers want functioning vehicles. Donation accepts vehicles in any condition, running or not. We even provide free towing for non-running vehicles.

Tax Benefits With year-end approaching, donating now means you can claim your tax deduction on this year's return. That's money back in your pocket during tax season. Learn more about the benefits of car donation.

Immediate Impact Your donation doesn't just clear your space—it grants wishes for children with critical illnesses. Every vehicle donated to Wheels For Wishes helps fund life-changing wishes through your local Make-A-Wish chapter.

The Urgency Of Fall Cleanup

Winter waits for no one. Once snow starts falling and temperatures drop below freezing, dealing with an unwanted vehicle becomes exponentially more difficult. Tow trucks have trouble accessing snow-covered driveways. Paperwork becomes harder to handle when you're bundled up against the cold. Motivation plummets when it's easier to just close the garage door and forget about it for another season.

Fall is your window of opportunity. The weather is still cooperative. Your schedule hasn't been overtaken by holiday obligations. And most importantly, donating now means you can claim your tax deduction for this tax year.

Make A Difference For Local Wish Kids

Here's what makes fall cleanup with Wheels For Wishes special: your unwanted vehicle becomes a wish come true. Children in your community facing critical illnesses get to experience once-in-a-lifetime wishes—meeting their heroes, visiting dream destinations, getting special gifts, or experiencing adventures they'll treasure forever.

Since 2010, we've donated over $120 million to Make-A-Wish chapters nationwide, helping grant thousands of wishes. Your fall cleanup project can be part of that incredible impact.

How To Donate Your Vehicle This Fall

We've made the donation process simple so you can check this project off your list quickly:

Step 1: Contact Us Call 1-855-278-9474 or fill out our online donation form. We'll ask a few questions about your vehicle and confirm we can accept it. We accept cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, motorcycles, boats, and more.

Step 2: Schedule Free Pickup We'll arrange free towing at a time that works for your schedule. Our licensed partners will pick up your vehicle whether it runs or not. You don't pay anything for towing.

Step 3: Receive Your Tax Receipt After your vehicle sells, we'll mail you a tax-deductible receipt. Use it when filing your taxes to claim your deduction and put money back in your pocket.

Clear Your Space, Clear Your Mind, Change A Life

This fall, give yourself the gift of a clean, organized space. Give your family the benefit of a functional garage ready for winter. And give a child the gift of a wish come true.

Your unwanted vehicle has one more important journey ahead. Make it count. Contact Wheels For Wishes today and turn your fall cleanup into something truly meaningful.