Benefit auto show receives support from Earnhardt Auto Centers

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Earnhardt Auto Centers gives generously to several organizations. This year, Earnhardt’s beneficiaries included an organization called Pawsitive Friendships and their annual car and bike show, Rev’d Up for Autism. Earnhardt sponsored the Best in Show category, recognizing the top car and truck.

The show happened Saturday, December 5 at Hamilton High School in Chandler. Participants displayed 220 cars, trucks and bikes, and 1,200 spectators attended. A 1956 Chevy 3100 captured the Best in Show Truck, and a 1961 Chevy Corvette received the Best in Show Car award.

Photo credit: Magical Gnatical Photography by Natalie Wilks

In addition to rows upon rows of cars, trucks and bikes on display, the event also featured local business vendors, food, raffles and a kids zone with a bounce house and a guest appearance from Santa.

Photo credit: Summer’s Edge Photography by Susan Carr

This was the fifth annual Rev’d Up for Autism Show to benefit Pawsitive Friendships, an animal-assisted therapy organization. Staff and specially trained service animals visit schools and therapy clinics to offer support and encouragement to children with special needs.

Photo credit: Summer’s Edge Photography by Susan Carr

Animal-assisted therapy can improve motor skills, focus, attention, motivation, social skills, self-control and trust while decreasing anxiety, depression and isolation, according to the Pawsitive Friendships website.

Photo credit: Summer’s Edge Photography by Susan Carr

Queen Creek resident Tosha Tharp-Gaitanis founded Pawsitive Friendships after recognizing her son’s connection with their family dog. Her son is diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and his relationship with the dog showed positive effects on his behavior and therapy. The family welcomed a second dog to their family specifically for their son, and this dog became a vital part of his day-to-day activities.

Photo credit: Summer’s Edge Photography by Susan Carr

From this experience, the idea for Pawsitive Friendships was born. Today the organization brings teams of trainers and therapy animals to schools and clinics to work with special needs children. Therapy animals include several therapy dogs, a Nigerian goat, mini horses, Adele the alpaca and Penelope the therapy pig. Visit the Pawsitive Friendships website for more information about this organization.

Photo credit: Magical Gnatical Photography by Natalie Wilks

Thank you, Earnhardt Auto Centers for your generous support of this and many other worthy organizations!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.