For Dr. Paul Thesiger, husband of Melwood Board Member Dr. Tracy Freeman, hunting for the perfect used car deal became more than a hobby—it became a stress reliever, a passion, and eventually, a way to give back.

Fifteen years ago, after taking a finance course that convinced him to never buy new again, the surgeon set new parameters for car buying. He found a trusted dealer specializing in German cars and became its number-one customer, purchasing eight vehicles over the years.

“I was always in search of the perfect score—paying a low amount and getting a steal,” Thesiger said. The closest he came to a perfect score was a low-mileage 2014 BMW X5.

But used cars don’t always survive. When repairs cost more than the vehicle’s worth, Thesiger and Freeman, found a better solution: donating to Melwood.

Melwood’s mission hit close to home. Their son Joel, 21, is on the autism spectrum, and Freeman, an integrative medicine physician, was drawn to the organization’s work with that community.

Since he started buying used vehicles, Thesiger and Freeman have donated at least four cars to Melwood.

“It was super easy,” Thesiger said of the car-donation process. Melwood offers fast pickup and towing at a time and place convenient for you, handles all paperwork and DMV hassles, accepts vehicles in running or non-running condition, and it’s absolutely free with no cost to you. As a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit, your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Together, Drs. Thesiger and Freeman run a wellness and rejuvenation practice in Washington, D.C., and live in Sandy Spring, Maryland, with their three children.

Their advice for potential donors? “It goes to such a good cause. Melwood does so much for the community,” Freeman said.

Learn more at melwoodcar.org.