Here’s a great story about a random act of seva (service) and the sale of a great car for a great cause.
Dr. Peter Glassman decided to sell his much-loved 1999 Mercedes ML320 and donate all the proceeds from the sale to Seva. The car was special to him and his family because he had spent many happy hours in it commuting with his daughter to school and work. Those early mornings in “the clubhouse” were cherished father/daughter bonding time.
Most cars donated to charity through “car donation” programs fetch a very small amount of money – roughly $100 according to one Vancouver car donation service. These cars aren’t resold to new drivers, but are sold for scrap.
Peter chose Seva to donate to because he feels very close to Seva Canada’s mission to restore sight and prevent blindness. Last year, Peter had his own brush with blindness when he suddenly lost vision in his good eye due to a serious retinal problem.
The eminent Vancouver ophthalmologist and retina specialist, Dr. Michael Potter, performed the critical eye surgery. After the operation Peter had to spend one week lying face down, immobile, as part of the post-operative healing process. It was a nerve-wracking seven days waiting and not knowing whether he would be able to see again with that eye and do all the things that he loved, like read and write.
“Dr. Michael Potter and Vancouver General Hospital saved my vision,” said Dr. Glassman. “We're so fortunate to reside here. But who helps others who live under radically differing conditions?”
“I feel intensely drawn to helping Seva with its sacred work, but don't have the capital to tender the kind of significant and ongoing monetary support I'd like to give,” said Dr. Glassman. “I've loved my sturdy loyal car, but wanted to simplify our lives and downsize our outlays. It feels wonderful that the automobile I've so enjoyed can bring in its next incarnation relief and joy to people in need.”
Yesterday Peter’s car sold in BC for $3,300 and his gift to Seva will provide sight-restoring cataract surgery to 66 adults in some of the poorest regions of the world such as Tibet, Nepal and Cambodia.
The car was sold thanks to the generosity and kindness of Jerry Mavroudis and the team at Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ltd. who offered their services free of charge to show the car to potential buyers after it was advertised on Craigslist. Everyone at Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ltd. were remarkably concerned, generous, and effective. The dealer’s mission is to “constantly strive not only to meet their customers expectations, but to exceed them”. You did! Our deepest thanks to Jerry Mavroudis, General Manager Mike Gignac and the whole team.
Thank you, Peter, for your act of kindness and compassion and for bringing sight to so many.
Your story is an inspiration to all of us to look at our possessions in a new way and perhaps one day sell them and donate the proceeds of the sale to Seva Canada.
You can learn more about Seva’s work and ways of helping Seva restore sight to people who are blind by contacting Heather Wardle at fundraising@seva.ca or calling toll-free at 1-877-460-6622.
