"Rather than arranging for the cars to go somewhere that they can be appreciated AS CARS, the plan is to convert them to cash and distribute that."
m-mman, I see where you're coming from, but whether we're talking about cars, diamond jewelry, or fine china, the sad reality is that in the end its all about money. My ex-girlfriend was a hospice care nurse, and 98% of her dying elderly patients got cleaned out of their estates within days/ weeks/ months of their deaths. Some were even cleaned out while they were still living. Everything of any monetary value was sold, and the photo albums and other non-money cherished family items were thrown in the dumpster in the driveway.
Regarding your statement as giving the cars to people that would appreciate them as cars, I know alot of car people but have never met one that I liked 😀. I can say with firsthand knowledge that car people are a peculiar bunch!