Earnhardt accepting sports gear donations to benefit Valley kids

Earnhardt Auto Centers teams up again with ABC15 Arizona for the 2nd Chance Sports Gear Drive to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley. 

Clean out your closets and bring your footballs, helmets, soccer balls, bags, volleyballs, basketballs, baseballs, softballs, gloves, bats and more! Items will be accepted at any of the 17 Earnhardt Auto Centers locations around the Valley. Find the dealership closest to you here. 

Financial contributions can also be made here. Donations are being accepted until February 28. From a donation of $25 providing a basketball, volleyball or flag football set to $250 sponsoring a team for a season, any amount or donated item will help!

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley – Arizona (BGCAZ) is committed to making high-quality, professionally managed recreational sports programs accessible and affordable for youth and teens. BGCAZ Athletics programs offer structured, safe and positive opportunities for Arizona youth ages 5-14 at more than 30 locations. Thousands of youth participate in these programs, and demand continues to grow.

Each year, Earnhardt Auto Centers is excited to participate in this sporting goods drive. The Earnhardt organization represents 15 brands at 17 dealerships located around the Valley and has a long history of supporting local events and causes. Employees are also encouraged to donate a percentage of each check to a chosen charity and to participate in community events.

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. Tex passed away in 2020. But his children and grandchildren still lead the company, keeping it a true family business. Longtime local residents still fondly remember Tex’s legendary catchphrase, “That ain’t no bull.”

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

Last Updated on 02/15/2026 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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