Citing Problems With Size of GAO Survey

“Car-Donation Programs Threatened by Legislation” (July 4) revealed how Congress’ proposed changes to vehicle donation rules could dramatically impact the level of services charities are able to provide.

The article cites a General Accounting Office report that said only 5%, or $32.7 million, of the $654 million that taxpayers claimed for vehicle donations on their tax forms actually went to charities.

The study is flawed because of its focus on an extremely small sample size -- only 54 case studies.

In reality, the Polly Klaas Foundation alone received $1,216,213 in 2003, and we are merely one among 4,300 charities in the United States accepting vehicle donations to provide crucial services.

Vehicle donation programs are integral to the work that we do, and the charitable organizations that receive vehicle donations know how these programs work best. As noted in the July 4 piece, a coalition of charities, CARS, has a proposal that would prevent exaggerated tax deductions but would also continue to allow donors to take fair deductions and allow us to continue the important work that we do.

Paula Skuratowicz

Executive director

Polly Klaas Foundation

Petaluma, Calif.