Ken Voigt, who started the program back in 1997, recently reflected on his time at the car lot and says it’s been a fun program and they’ve worked hard to make it successful. When he first started he “couldn’t believe people would donate their car,” and now over a thousand people a year donate their ride. Most of those donations come from word of mouth referrals, repeat donors and our radio commercials.
Relationships with our radio partners have been a huge part of the program’s success. Years ago Ken started advertising with the Indians, Mike and Sharon Hargrove and local radio stations who helped promote the program through testimonials and our “Donate your Ride” jingle and “it just took off”. Today, we still continue those important partnerships with local radio, the Cleveland Indians and now the Cleveland Cavaliers. And every Saturday morning at 10:00am you can listen to Ken on WERE 1940 talking with “Flash” about the Wayside’s Car Donation program.
It’s been exciting to see how the program has changed and grown over the past 20 years when we started with just a small lot on Brookpark Road. The car lot is now at its fourth and newest location in Elyria at 914 Cleveland Street; if you are in the market for a pre-owned vehicle or want to donate your ride stop by! For more information about donating your ride visit http://www.thewayside.org/car-donation-program/ or call 440-934-6788. The car lot is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm.
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