Earnhardt donation benefits Arizona Special Olympics golf team

Earnhardt Auto Centers is excited to support the Team AZ Special Olympics Golf Team in its journey to the 2026 USA Games! Earnhardt’s financial contribution will help the team fund their participation in this event. This amazing opportunity allows these athletes to represent the state of Arizona while showcasing their golf skills and determination.

This year, Team AZ Golf will bring two unified pairs, with one athlete and one unified partner each, to the USA Games. They will also bring one athlete with a caddie and two coaches.

The team joins others traveling to and competing in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in June in Minnesota. Over 3,000 athletes from around the country will compete in 16 sports at different venues, including the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center. 

Special Olympics Arizona offers year-round sports training and competition in various sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing opportunities to develop fitness, friendship and community. These and other programs are offered at no cost to participants.

In 1962, Eunice Kennedy Shriver began a summer day camp at her home in Maryland for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This idea took off, and in 1968, the first International Special Olympics competition took place at Soldier Field in Chicago with 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competing in track and field and swimming events.

There are various ways for communities to support or donate to our Special Olympic Teams. Join us at Earnhardt by donating today!

Special Olympics reached Arizona in 1975. The first Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) competition consisted of a one-day track and field event with 100 athletes and 20 volunteers. Now, more than 50 years later, SOAZ has grown to offer 21 sports, 675 regional competitions, and four statewide competitions for more than 21,000 athletes, with help from more than 24,500 volunteers at these events. Visit Special Olympics Arizona for more information about local volunteer opportunities.

The Earnhardt organization is thrilled to support this team! A recognized name in Arizona since 1951, Earnhardt Auto Centers represents 15 brands at 17 dealerships around the Valley. Earnhardt supports several local groups and causes. If you’d also like to support the Team AZ Special Olympics Golf Team, please donate.

Last Updated on 01/28/2026 by Carolyn Sostrom

About the Author:

Carolyn Sostrom

Biography:

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.

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