Ford is launching a program this week that links test drives of Ford vehicles on military bases to donations to local chapters of the National Military Family Association.

The program, “Drive One 4 UR Troops” is part of a 10-base tour called “Operation Drive One” that also features vehicle displays, entertainment and classic car shows. The shows will also raise money for the National Military Family Association.

For each test-drive taken as part of the “Drive one 4 UR Troops” Ford will donate $20 (up to $10,000) to the local chapter of the National Military Family Association (NMFA).

Ford says former pro-wrestler Goldberg — now the actor Bill Goldberg on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” — will also join the tour and make an appearance at each stop.

Ford will also pick eight veterans (among past and present military personnel who sign up at www.fordoperationdriveone.com) for a trip to the Ford Championship NASCAR race weekend in November. Of those veterans, two will also win a new 2011 Ford Mustang and one grand-prize winner will be awarded a Toby Keith concert for his or her home base.  Great idea and keep up the good charity work Ford!

Car and Driver Magazine revealed that the White House had ordered that “GM and Chrysler must cease participation in NASCAR at the end of the 2009 season if they hope to receive any additional financial aid from the government.” The White House was said to have released the following statement: “In order to receive this money, corporations must demonstrate they will spend it wisely. Racing has been said to improve on-road technology, but frankly, NASCAR almost flaunts its standing among the lowest-tech forms of motorsport. NASCAR is not proven to drive advancements that transfer from the racetrack to the road, and this nation’s way forward does not hinge on decades-old technology. We need new, and we need innovation.” NASCAR was said to be exploring other options, such as inviting Korea’s Hyundai corporation to compete in GM and Chrysler’s place.

I guess I give this one a little edge because it is believable, but it is pretty stupid and in 2009 I was sick and tired of hearing about these two companies – 6/10

Invisible Car (2009)

The Daily Express claimed that a British inventor had built an invisible car, designed to fool speed cameras: ““It is beautiful in its simplicity… The plastic film appears completely normal to the human eye. But the flash of the camera reacts with molecules in the film and light is reflected outwards to make the car appear invisible in pictures.” The inventor admitted that the one problem was also covering the wheels and developing an invisible suit to wear.

I like this one because I think the technology probably exists in some military lab, plus who would not want to be invisible – 8/10

Toronto, ON (CharityCar) March 5, 2010 — CharityCar (www.CharityCar.us and www.CharityCar.ca), green vehicle disposal (www.greenvehicledisposal.com) and charity car donation company, today announced that its total donations processed for 2009 exceeds $91,000 USD. Over the course of the year, 50% of customers traded their vehicles in for cash while the other 50% donated the money to charity. This trend is expected to continue in 2010.

CharityCar would like to thank its many generous donors across North America who, despite the economic downturn, contributed to its success; more importantly, the success of its supported charities and the betterment of the environment.

David Gold from Standard Auto Wreckers (www.standardautowreckers.com) and the founder of the program said: “We originally started this program to give back to our local community in Toronto, Ontario and when friends in the business heard about what we were doing they all wanted to join in. Now, three years later, we have over 150 partner charities and more than 70 member recyclers in both Canada and the USA participating! It really is heartwarming to see.”

About CharityCar
CharityCar (CharityCar.us and CharityCar.ca) accepts the donation of old vehicles on behalf of charities and non-profit organizations across North America. CharityCar utilizes its partner Green Vehicle Disposal’s eco-friendly recycling technology, offers ‘free pickup’, does not take any fees for processing or handling charity vehicles and donates 100% of the recyclers value to the customers’ chosen charity in the United States or Canada. CharityCar’s purpose is to provide its customers with an eco-friendly solution for the disposal of old vehicles. All vehicles donated through CharityCar are disposed of in an eco-friendly manner which meets and exceed all recycling rules. For more information, visit: www.CharityCar.us or www.CharityCar.ca.

They are proud to practice environmentally sound processes when dismantling and recycling our vehicles. This is achieved by properly draining all hazardous fluids from the vehicle thereby not having them drain into the ground. They remove Mercury switches and other dangerous substances from the vehicles and dispose of them in a safe way in accordance with local laws.

It is bad enough to be a thief but these crooks have stolen $2,000 worth of parts from cars intended for needy people and veterans.

“Car Santa” Terry Franz, founder of Cars 4 Christmas, assessed the damage Tuesday. Catalytic converters worth $100 each had been cut out from underneath 20 cars owned by the charity.

The parts were stolen while the donated cars waited to be assessed at A Auto, a tow company lot across the street from the Kansas City Police Department’s South Patrol station on Hickman Mills Drive.

Kansas City police said the robbery happened sometime between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon.

“Somebody had to come in during the night in 20-degree weather, climb under the cars, take out a saw and cut out the catalytic converters,” Franz said.

The 15-year-old charity gives away about 300 cars annually, first on Christmas as part of Cars 4 Christmas, and then for veterans as part a newer program, Cars 4 Heroes.

A wheelchair lift had been scheduled to be installed in one van Wednesday, Franz said. Instead the van will be visiting a muffler shop, and the disabled woman for whom it was meant will have to wait. Franz estimated repairs will reach $3,000, including labor.  Crooks that steal from charities are especially pathetic, I hope these folks get caught and get a good whooping in jail!

We just made it over the 1,000 follower mark yesterday and I wanted to take some time to thank all our loyal followers.

Kids Mobility Network, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is changing the lives of children with disabilities.

Greenopolis is about doing good.

Help Recycle is spreading the green word.

The Green Business Bureau is quickly becoming the standard for green business certification and accountability.

The Daily Green is for everyday average real eco-conscious people.

and a warm heart-felt thanks to everyone else that has followed us!

We are pleased to officially re-launch our new website redesign and to celebrate we are offering all new charity signs ups a chance to win an iPod Shuffle and other great prizes like CharityCar.us official merchandise!  All new sign ups and referrals to the program that meet our partnership criteria will be entered into a random draw that will take place on June 30, 2010 – winners will be contacted by phone and have their names posted on this blog.

If your charity or non-profit does not currently have a charity car donation program or you have one that is just too expensive, let us help!  We give one hundred percent of the recyclers valuation to your charity and take zero fees.  We do the work and all your charity or non-profit has to do is issue the tax receipts!  Fill out the charity registration form now and get started accepting charity cars with seven days!

These non-smoking ads are tops in my book, brilliant creativity!

Former President Bill Clinton’s charity drew an impressive international roster of donors last year, ranging from Norway and Oman to foreign lotteries, businessmen and celebrities, a contributor list released under an ethics promise by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton showed.

The Clintons agreed to annually disclose the names of donors to the foundation to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest between the former president’s fundraising abroad and his wife’s role in helping direct Obama administration foreign policy.

Here is a rundown of some of the more interesting contributors:

-Saudi Arabian businessman Nasser Al-Rashid, who has given at least $1 million.

-The Coca-Cola Co. and the Swedish Postcode Lottery, which each donated $1 million to $5 million since the foundation started.

-The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a labour union which gave $250,001 to $500,000 over the years.

-International online retailer Alibaba Group, which gave $100,001 to $250,000 in all.

-Professional golf’s PGA Tour Inc., which donated $50,001 to $100,000 overall.

-Celebrity businessman Donald Trump, who gave $50,001 to $100,000 overall.

-Automaker Nissan North America Inc. and the Metropolitan National Bank, which each has given $25,000 to $50,000 total.

I read the Bill Clinton biography, or I should say I listened to it and he is a very interesting and down-to-earth guy.  Go Bill!

My being a GM customer recently I can totally believe this.

Hey!  My car!