Mount Dandenong resident Margaret Kogelman has donated her beloved 1958 Mercedes Benz 220S for auction to help prevent youth homelessness, through Kids Under Cover’s Donate Your Car program.
The Mercedes has been in the family since Margaret’s father bought the car secondhand in 1971.
After her father passed away, Margaret took ownership of the car, while her husband always serviced and looked after the vehicle.
“It has been my everyday drive for the past 43 years,” she said.
“We brought the kids home from hospital in it, took it on family holidays and to weddings.
“Friends of ours have a similar one, so we did a few weddings where our friends would take the bride and groom, and we would take the bridal party.
“We tried to sell the Mercedes when we bought a new car, but I was too funny about who it goes to.
“I wanted it to go to someone who would look after it well, and appreciate its history.
“Donating it to Kids Under Cover is a nice way to say goodbye, and to help young people who are in need.”
Chief executive officer of Kids Under Cover, Jo Swift, expressed her gratitude to Margaret.
“Kids Under Cover is focused on preventing youth homelessness through practical measures and early intervention.
“Donations like this assist us in providing physical support – including building relocatable studios for young people to live in, while remaining connected to family and support networks, providing the valuable space they need.”
Donations of vehicles like Margaret’s Mercedes Benz are essential for Kids Under Cover, as 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of the vehicles are directed back to the charity.
Helping to prevent youth homelessness can be simple.
“All it takes is filling in an online form and Kids Under Cover will collect your unwanted car for free,” she said.
“All sale proceeds from the donation help at-risk young people stay connected to home and education.”
