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The holiday season is here—and with it comes a powerful opportunity to give back in a way that truly matters.
Giving Tuesday—happening this year on Tuesday, December 2nd—is a global day of generosity that encourages people everywhere to support causes that change lives. For us at Cars for Kids, it's a day to rally support for the students at Texans Can Academies—students who are working hard to graduate, overcome life’s challenges, and rewrite their futures.
You’ve seen the faces. You’ve heard the stories. Now is your chance to be part of their success.
Texans Can Academies is a tuition-free public school system serving students who have been labeled at-risk—many of whom have dropped out or aged out of traditional schools. These students often face immense barriers: unstable housing, family responsibilities, trauma, and a lack of access to basic resources.
But when they arrive at Texans Can, they’re met with understanding, structure, and a clear path to graduation. With individualized learning, job certification programs, mental health support, and compassionate educators, these students are finally given what many of us had all along—a real chance.
Your donation helps make that possible.
Because it’s not just a car—it’s a way to directly support a young person in need. When you donate your vehicle to Cars for Kids, the proceeds go directly to fund student support services at Texans Can Academies.
Every single donation is 100% tax-deductible. That means you can give back this holiday season and still benefit at tax time. It’s a win-win—for you and for the students.
We take cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats—anything with wheels, running or not. And we offer free pickup. All you have to do is call or click.
Call: 866-835-5437
Donate: www.carsforkids.org/social
As you shop for gifts and prepare for the holidays, we invite you to remember the students still working to find stability and purpose. Your support can help cover:
In a season defined by generosity, Giving Tuesday is your chance to give hope, not just gifts. And for students who have faced more than their share of setbacks, that hope is priceless.
“This isn’t just a donation—it’s a turning point in someone’s life.”
Your old vehicle might not mean much to you anymore, but it could mean everything to a student at Texans Can Academies.
This Giving Tuesday, write off the car—not the kid.
Donate now.
Call 866-835-5437 or visit www.carsforkids.org/social
#GivingTuesday #CarsForKids #TexansCanAcademies #SeasonOfGiving #DriveChange #DonateYourCar #SupportEducation #CharityThatDrivesImpact
At Texans Can Academies, students arrive with experiences as unique as they are. Many have been counted out by traditional systems. Some have faced housing instability, family struggles, or emotional trauma. But what unites them all is this: they didn’t give up.
Through the support of dedicated teachers and counselors—and thanks to the funding made possible by Cars for Kids—these students are finding their footing, regaining confidence, and moving toward a future filled with possibility.
Episode 2 takes us even deeper into the student-teacher connection that defines the Texans Can experience. Teachers don’t just show up to deliver lessons. They listen. They support. They believe. And their belief often becomes the spark that students need to keep going.
We meet students who have discovered career paths they didn’t know existed. Others are learning how to balance school with work and family responsibilities. All of them are doing the hard work to turn their story around—and it shows.
When you donate a vehicle to Cars for Kids, it doesn’t just go to auction. It goes to work—funding tutoring, transportation, meals, technology, job training, and more.
Your donation helps make stories like these possible.
As one student shared in the episode:
“I never thought I’d be back in school. But here I am. And I’m not leaving without that diploma.”
We believe every student deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. And every viewer, donor, and advocate plays a part in making that happen.
Want to help write the next chapter in a student’s life?
Call 866-835-5437
Visit www.carsforkids.org
Your old car can help build a new future.
Every car has a story—but so does every student.
In our latest video, we hear directly from students at Texans Can Academies, sharing how their lives have been transformed thanks to the generosity of people like you. These are stories of resilience, growth, and second chances—powered by something as simple as a donated vehicle.
Texans Can Academies serves students who are often considered “at-risk”—many of whom have faced personal, academic, and economic challenges. Through a supportive environment and an accelerated curriculum, the schools help these students get back on track and earn their diplomas.
But that mission is only possible with the support of partners like Cars for Kids.
When you donate your vehicle—whether it’s running or not—it’s auctioned off, and the proceeds go directly to support Texans Can students. That money funds not just textbooks and school supplies, but also transportation, mental health support, certification programs, and meals.
In the video, students speak candidly about what brought them to Texans Can and how the school has changed their lives. One student shares how she regained her confidence after falling behind. Another talks about finding purpose through career certification programs.
They all have one thing in common: someone like you believed in their potential.
“When people donate to Cars for Kids, they’re giving us a second chance,” says one student in the video. “I didn’t think I’d be graduating—but now I’m walking the stage this year.”
Each vehicle donated becomes more than just a tax deduction—it becomes part of a student’s success story. For many of these young people, this is the first time someone has invested in their future.
Through these interviews, it’s clear: your donation drives real change.
Have an unused car, truck, or boat? Don’t let it sit.
Turn it into a diploma.
Turn it into a future.
We’re still riding high from the incredible success of the 2025 Cars for Kids Inaugural Charity Car Show—and it’s all thanks to YOU! Whether you brought your car, volunteered, donated, or simply showed up to support, your presence helped make this a day to remember.
Here’s what we accomplished together on June 28, 2025:
This wasn’t just a car show—it was a celebration of second chances and the power of community. Every dollar raised goes directly to support Texans Can Academies, helping thousands of at-risk students across Texas graduate, grow, and thrive.
At Cars for Kids, our mission is to help students succeed by turning unused vehicles into educational support. Every car donated and every dollar raised goes toward creating second chances and brighter futures.
We're incredibly grateful to everyone who helped us turn horsepower into hope. Whether you were a participant, sponsor, attendee, or volunteer—thank you for being part of this mission.
We can’t wait to see you again in 2026. Until then—keep driving forward.
Want to support year-round?
Donate a vehicle: www.CarsForKids.org
Enroll or refer a student: www.TexansCan.org
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment to education and community helped us turn horsepower into hope!
#CarsForKids #CharityCarShow #TexansCanAcademies #DriveForACause #DFWEvents #ThankYou #CarShowRecap #SeeYouIn2026
The 2025 Inaugural Cars for Kids Charity Car Show was more than a showcase of stunning vehicles—it was a celebration of community, compassion, and commitment to helping at-risk youth. This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors who stepped up to drive our mission forward.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to the following organizations and individuals who made this event a success:
Our heartfelt thanks to iHeartMedia’s iHeartImpact team for serving as the Presenting Sponsor of this event. Your belief in our cause and national reach gave this initiative the momentum it needed to succeed!
Thanks to these incredible sponsors, we were able to raise essential funds to benefit Texans Can Academies and support educational programs for at-risk youth across Dallas-Fort Worth for the 2025–26 school year.
Whether you're a business, a car enthusiast, or a community advocate—your support drives our mission.
Stay tuned for more events and ways to get involved. And from all of us at Cars for Kids—thank you for believing in what we do and helping us make a lasting impact.
Want to be part of our next event? Contact us at info@carsforkids.org or visit www.carsforkids.org.
#CarsForKids #CharityCarShow #ThankYouSponsors #DriveForACause #DFWEvents #TexansCanAcademies
We’re bringing a brand new event to the Dallas-Fort Worth area — and it’s all to support students at Texans Can Academies.
Catch our feature on 5 Talk Street where we talk about how car donations, community support, and our upcoming Charity Car Show are driving real change for Texas youth.
Watch the full segment here:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/about-nbc-5/community/5-talk-street-cars-for-kids/3855816/
Write Off the Car, Not the Kid®
#CarsForKids #TexansCanAcademies #5TalkStreet #NBCDFW #CharityCarShow #DFWEvents #SupportEducation #WriteOffTheCarNotTheKid
(Source Dallas Morning News) Cars for Kids proudly sponsors transformational symposium at Texans Can Academy – Pleasant Grove
At Cars for Kids, we believe every student deserves a second chance—and sometimes, all it takes is the right moment, the right mentor, and the right message to unlock their full potential. That belief was brought to life in an incredible way at the “Walking Into Your Future” Symposium for Young Women, hosted at Texans Can Academy – Pleasant Grove and recently featured in the Dallas Morning News.
This first-of-its-kind event, a partnership between Texans Can Academies, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Xi Omega Chapter, and Cars for Kids, welcomed over 200 young women to a powerful, purpose-driven experience designed to prepare them for life after high school.
From career planning and financial literacy to mindset coaching and self-love, students took part in hands-on workshops that offered tangible skills and emotional encouragement. Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to hear from women leaders in a variety of fields and gain insight into the many pathways available to them.
“Two years ago, we started dreaming about doing something great for our girls,” said Tina Shaw, Principal of Texans Can Academy – Pleasant Grove. “This symposium was our way of building that dream—providing not just resources, but real inspiration.”
The four-hour event kicked off with motivational remarks, followed by keynote speaker Rocky “Rock-T” Turner, and a rotation of breakout sessions focused on topics like college readiness, resume writing, entrepreneurship, and mental wellness. One standout moment: during the entrepreneurship session, each girl received $20 to open a bank account at the on-site Financial Literacy Bus—just one of many ways the day prioritized both confidence and capability.
As a proud sponsor, Cars for Kids provided every participant with a backpack filled with essential hygiene items, part of our broader commitment to ensuring students have what they need both inside and outside the classroom.
“When they came to us with the idea for this event, we were all in,” said Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, CEO of Cars for Kids. “These girls are fighting for their futures, and we want to be part of applauding that courage and equipping them with tools to succeed.”
Many of the students who attended come from underserved neighborhoods and are considered at risk for not graduating. Events like this symposium help level the playing field by opening doors to mentorship, exposure, and hope.
One 16-year-old senior, Lorena Delores, said it best:
“I think it’s important for girls to have access to programs like this because they learn so many new things. I learned what I need to do to become a real estate agent.”
We believe in driving change—one student at a time. And thanks to the power of community collaboration, mentorship, and mission-driven giving, these young women are now one step closer to their dreams.
📞 To support more opportunities like this, donate your vehicle today:
866-835-5437
🌐 Learn more at: www.carsforkids.org/social
We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever Cars for Kids Charity Car Show, a high-energy, family-friendly event where automotive passion meets purpose. Mark your calendars and get ready to show off your ride or come admire some of the best in the community—all while supporting a great cause.
Date: June 28, 2025
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm CST
Location: Cars for Kids Headquarters at 7100 Marvin D. Love Fwy., Dallas, TX 75237
Whether you’re rolling up in a classic muscle car, a sleek sports car, a custom build, or even a vintage motorcycle—we welcome all makes, models, and years to be part of this exciting event.
The Cars for Kids Charity Car Show will feature:
Registration is now open for car owners who want to participate!
We offer several levels of sponsorship, each providing great visibility and recognition at the event.
Contact us at advertising@carsforkids.org or purchase sponsorship here: https://cfkmarketing.qrd.by/me7q03
See you there!
#CarsForKids #CharityCarShow #DriveForACause #ShowAndShine #NonprofitEvents #CommunityDriven
In a recent feature with Bizwomen and the Dallas Business Journal, Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, CEO of Cars for Kids, shared her thoughts on navigating leadership in the nonprofit world during turbulent times. With a career rooted in servant leadership and experience leading major organizations like the American Red Cross of North Texas and Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Cheryl brings a wealth of knowledge to her role at Cars for Kids—a Texas-based nonprofit supporting high-risk students through Texans Can Academies.
Cheryl’s passion for mission-driven work stems from her early exposure to Robert Greenleaf’s servant leadership philosophy, which helped her align her personal values—like empathy, humility, and active listening—with a greater purpose. That alignment has guided her through some of the nonprofit world’s biggest challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturns that have tightened donor wallets.
She emphasized that these challenges only make the mission more urgent. At Texans Can Academies, some campuses serve students facing homelessness, hunger, and other obstacles to graduation. Cars for Kids helps fill those gaps—not only through vehicle donation proceeds, but by enabling a wraparound approach to education that includes school supplies, basic needs, and job-readiness programs.
With the threat of an economic contraction looming, Cheryl offered practical advice for nonprofit leaders:
Cheryl also encourages nonprofits to get creative with revenue streams. At Cars for Kids, that means exploring partnerships, renting out unused space, and even helping other nonprofits set up their own vehicle donation programs through collaboration.
Finally, she underlined the evolving role of social media and AI in modern fundraising. Quick, compelling stories—like highlighting a student’s upcoming graduation—can inspire donations in ways traditional methods can’t. And with AI, campaigns can be launched faster and more efficiently.
Her biggest takeaway from years of leading through uncertainty? Empower your team. Transparency and inclusion in decision-making foster ownership and lead to smart, cost-saving solutions. And most importantly, good leadership means staying connected—to your people, your donors, your peers, and the mission you serve.
At Cars for Kids, we’re proud to have Cheryl at the wheel—guiding us with clarity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to driving change.
(Source Dallas Business Journal)
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