Casino chips, Canadian Tire money and even unused gas is pulled from impounded Calgary vehicles likely to never find a home again.

While the Calgary Parking Authority (CPA), which oversees the city’s impound lot, siphons fuel from the unclaimed automobiles and uses it in their own fleet, the organization stockpiles petty cash items and eventually turns them over to charity.

“Some people choose to leave their vehicle for us to recycle,” said parking authority manager Troy McLeod. “We take everything from the vehicle and put it aside to see if they claim it . . . if they don’t we find a way to help others with it.”

Last year, Canadian Tire money alone accounted for a $500 donation to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, which was then matched by the company.

Belinda Lamb with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation welcomed the CPA’s initiative.

“There is no such thing as a small amount of money to us,” she said. “Every donation is put to good use.”

Interesting fact

• The Calgary Parking Authority recently turned over $700 in casino chips to their respective venues and then donated the cash received to the Alberta Children’s Hospital.