Earnhardt locations collecting gently used sports gear for kids

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Earnhardt Auto Centers once again teams up with ABC15 Arizona for the 2nd Chance Sports Gear Drive benefiting Boys & Girls Club of the Valley – Arizona. Clean out your closets or car trunks, and bring your items for a good cause!

Now through February 28, you can donate any gently used sports gear that you no longer need. Bring your used footballs, helmets, soccer balls, volleyballs, basketballs, baseballs, softballs, bats, gloves, sports bags and more to any Earnhardt Auto Centers location.

Visit abc15.com/gear or Earnhardt.com to find a donation site that is convenient for you. You can also make a financial donation at the same site. For example, $20 can sponsor one child for league soccer, and $50 can sponsor one child for Jr. Suns Basketball. A donation of $100 sponsors a referee for one game, and a $150 donation sponsors a team for one season. All donations are appreciated!

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and its sports division, BGCAZ Athletics, are committed to making high-quality, professionally managed recreational youth sports programs available and affordable for all youth and teens.

BGCAZ Athletics provides structured, safe and positive opportunities for skill development, character building and appreciation for healthy living. BGCAZ’s 30-plus sites in the Valley offer sports leagues for Club members ages 5-14. Thousands of youth participate in these programs, and the demand continues to grow. Visit the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley online for more information about their programs.

Earnhardt Auto Centers is proud to participate in this sporting goods drive each year. Earnhardt represents 15 brands at 17 dealerships located around the Valley. The organization has a long history of supporting local organizations and events, also encouraging a spirit of giving and volunteerism among its employees.

Thank you, Earnhardt Auto Centers and ABC15 Arizona, for your generous support of the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley!

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.