Hospice of the Valley Benefits from Generosity of Earnhardt Employees

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Every quarter, Earnhardt Auto Centers employees have the opportunity to make a difference by donating a portion of their paychecks to a chosen charity. In the first quarter of 2024, their generous contributions benefitted Hospice of the Valley.

Hospice of the Valley is Arizona’s leading provider of end-of-life care. They are among the country’s oldest and largest not-for-profit hospices and remain committed to the original mission of bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to the community.

Services from Hospice of the Valley include assistance with senior placement. This no-cost service provides referrals to group homes, assisted living and nursing homes pre-screened by Hospice of the Valley. The organization also offers programs to honor veterans, provide grief support and educate the community. The 11th Hour Companion program provides specially trained volunteers to be at an individual’s bedside for end-of-life care if their family can’t be there.

Founded in 1977, Hospice of the Valley started as a not-for-profit organization and was one of the first hospice organizations in the country.

Earnhardt Auto Centers has a long history of helping others in the community, encouraging employees to do the same. Employees can opt to deduct donations from each paycheck to benefit different local charities. Other beneficiaries have included the Armed Forces Relief Trust, Paz de Cristo, the Arizona Humane Society, the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation and United Food Bank.

Earnhardt team members are also encouraged to spend time serving in the community. Events have included the 2nd Chance Bike Drive, which benefits St. Vincent de Paul. In addition to collecting gently used bicycles at Earnhardt dealerships, employees donated their time to refurbish the bicycles.

Founder Tex Earnhardt started Earnhardt Auto Centers in 1951 with a Chandler-based Ford franchise. Over the years, the company expanded, opening more dealerships with Tex at the forefront. Today, the company represents 15 brands at 17 dealerships throughout the Valley of the Sun. Thank you, Earnhardt Auto Centers employees for your generous support of local charities!

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.