Friday, March 28, 2014

Donated Vehicles and Farm Equipment Can Give Financial Boost to Greene County Extension

Contact: David Burton, civic communication specialist
County Program Director - Greene County
Tel: (417) 881-8909
E-mail: burtond@missouri.edu

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Greene County Extension Council is generating money for educational programs and office operations thanks to a partnership with a national vehicle buying company with a Rogersville location.

Cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, boats, boat motors and farm equipment -- in any condition -- can now be donated to the Greene County Extension Council by calling the office at 417-881-8909 or by visiting them online at extension.missouri.edu/greene.

“This is a perfect way to contribute to Greene County Extension and help us maintain our programs and office operations,” said David Burton, county program director for Greene County Extension. “Best of all, we think this is a valuable service and a great way to clean up a yard or farm. For no cost, you can get rid of a heap of junk and extension gets money to keep operating.”

Through a local partnership, Extension is able to accept nearly anything as a donation.

“It doesn’t even need a motor or wheels for that matter. If you have an old turning plow that’s broken, they can sell it,” Burton said. “They can sell junked tractors, combines, trucks, ATVs. If you don’t want it, donate it to Greene County Extension.”

Donations can be arranged through the Greene County Extension office. Arrangements can then be made to have CoPart pick up the vehicle at a time that works best for the donor, or the donor can deliver the item to CoPart’s location in Rogersville save Extension the hauling fee.

When the vehicle is picked up (or delivered) the owner must sign over the title.

To arrange for a pickup through Extension online or by email the following information will be needed: name, address and telephone for the owner and type of item; if it is a vehicle we will need VIN, make, model, year, color and mileage.

PROGRAM HISTORY

Initially, marketed as “Donate Your Hunk of Junk,” the program was linked nationally to a company known as AutoWranglers. This partnership allowed Extension to receive the benefits of donated vehicles without owning them. Following a family tragedy that caused the owner of AutoWranglers to close his business it became necessary to find another partnering business and develop a local program.

The owner of AutoWranglers used his contacts to get Greene County Extension set up with Copart. This national company just happens to have a location just east of Rogersville along Hwy. 60. The company specializes in online auctions of vehicles, boats and farm equipment at www.copart.com.

CoPart charges Greene County Extension a per item fee to process the title and sale. All proceeds over that amount are given to the Greene County Extension Council. During the month of December 2013, CoPart sold three vehicles on behalf of Greene County Extension netting the local office just over $3,000.

FINANCIAL NEED

Funds remain tight at the Extension office after Greene County Commissioners cut the county contribution to the extension council by 90 percent in 2011.

“We understand the Commissioners have a difficult budget situation and that the budget is tight. However, it does take money to provide the services we offer to residents. Thanks to the vehicle donation program, anyone can help support the Greene County Extension office,” said Burton.

Since 1914, residents of Greene County, Missouri (and adjoining counties) have sought help from MU Extension in areas related to agriculture, gardening, Master Gardeners, 4-H youth, nutrition, cooking, families, Master Naturalists and business and community development. During 2013 over 46,000 residents of Greene County received unbiased and research-based information, assistance or education through the Greene County Extension Center.

“Thousands of children have come through the 4-H programs we have offered in this county and they are better adults as a result of the experience. Farmers and gardeners use our services year round. The impact extension has on Greene County and the area is just massive,” said Burton. “Donating your old car to Extension will help these services continue.”

LEARN MORE

To learn about the “Friends of Greene County Extension,” a campaign to raise funds for Greene County Extension, call (417) 881-8909 or go online to http://extension.missouri.edu/greene. The Friends campaign was established in 2012 in effort to privately raise monies to keep the Greene County Extension office open to the public.



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