Earnhardt collecting used sports gear to benefit Boys & Girls Club 

Do you have gently used sports gear in your garage or shed that you no longer need? The 2nd Chance Sports Gear Drive is collecting second-hand or new sports gear through February 29. Drop your items off at any Earnhardt Auto Centers location around the Valley!

This drive assists the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley and its new sports division, BGCAZ Athletics, which is committed to making high-quality, professionally managed recreational youth sports programs accessible and affordable for all youth and teens. Earnhardt and other local organizations team up each year to collect sports gear and equipment. Requested items include footballs, helmets, volleyballs, soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs, gloves, bags and more. 

BGCAZ Athletics programs offer structured, safe opportunities for youth to develop their skills, build character and create a lifelong appreciation for activity and healthy living. BGCAZ’s more than 30 clubs around the Valley offer sports leagues for Club members ages 5 to 18. Thousands of youth participate in these programs, and demand continues to grow. Your donation of new or gently used equipment can help meet these needs! 

Go online to locate the Earnhardt Auto Centers location closest to you for convenient drop-off of your gear. You can also make a financial donation of any amount at this site. A one-time gift of $20 sponsors one child for league soccer, or $50 sponsors one child for the Jr. Suns Basketball league. A $100 gift sponsors a referee for one game, or $150 sponsors one team for one season. You can also schedule a recurring donation to provide monthly support for kids and their teams.

Visit the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley for more information about their programs. 

Earnhardt Auto Centers represents 15 brands at 17 dealerships throughout the Valley. Founder Tex Earnhardt started the company in 1951 with a Chandler-based Ford franchise. At age 21, he was the youngest-ever Ford franchise owner. Over the years, the company expanded and opened more dealerships, with Tex at the head. Tex’s straight-shooting style and catchphrase, “That ain’t no bull,” endeared him to generations of Arizonans. 

Earnhardt Auto Centers also has a long history of supporting local organizations and events, also encouraging giving and volunteerism among its employees. 

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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