Melwood and Zipcar Join Forces to Support People with Disabilities

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - March 23, 2015 - PRLog -- Cari DeSantis, president and CEO of Melwood announced today that Melwood and Zipcar have formed a partnership where Zipcar will provide a year of free membership and $365 in driving credit to anyone donating a vehicle to Melwood.

“We are delighted to have this partnership,” stated DeSantis.  “This not only provides a potential tax credit to a vehicle donor but also ensures they’ll have access to a Zipcar for a year.”

Zipcar is the short-term rental car company that was launched in 2000 to wide acclaim.  Participants pay a membership fee and can then rent a car by the hour or day.  A variety of vehicles are generally available within easy walking distance of many urban neighborhoods Members can reserve vehicles online or by phone any time, immediately or up to a year in advance.

Melwood, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization relies heavily on cash and vehicle donations to support its work. Melwood is one of the largest employers of those with differing abilities throughout the Washington, D.C. region, including veterans.  The organization has more than 40 government and corporate contracts and oversees total facilities management, custodial services, landscaping, recycling and a variety of other services.  “We receive regular accolades from the government agencies and corporations we work with,” DeSantis explained.  “Our employees are not only reliable and conscientious but they have a lot to contribute to the work environment and their co-workers.”

In addition, Melwood has a horticulture division that provides plant material for landscape contracts as well as additional employment opportunities and recently launched an electronics -cycling program.  Melwood also has an active therapeutic retreat program supporting war fighters with post traumatic stress disorders and other deployment related traumas at its camp in southern Maryland as well as a variety of veteran employment and job training programs.

“Because Melwood runs many ads for vehicle donations, many area residents think of us for car donations but don’t realize all of the other important programs we operate,” DeSantis added.

The Zipcar program began February 2, 2015.   For more information on Melwood and the Zipcar partnership and to find out how to donate a vehicle, go to www.melwood.org or www.zipcar.com/melwood .

About Melwood:

Melwood is a nonprofit organization that advocates for and empowers people of differing abilities to transform their own lives through unique opportunities to work and play in the community. Melwood envisions a world where people with differing abilities are fully included.  Using an innovative and effective social entrepreneurial model, Melwood offers job training, employment, life skill improvement, community support and recreation opportunities to more than 1900 people each year in the DC metropolitan area. Melwood operates a training program graduating approximately 100 workers with differing abilities each year, and has employs more than 1,400 workers. For more information visit www.melwood.org