Guide Dogs Event Brings Out the Best
Hundreds of IAM representatives, members and guests turned out for the William W. Winpisinger Charity Banquet in Las Vegas, NV, to show their support for Guide Dogs of America (GDA), the Sylmar, CA-based organization that provides guide dogs free of charge to visually impaired men and women across North America.
The banquet capped off a record breaking weekend of fundraising activities to benefit the non-profit organization founded by an IAM member in 1948, including the 6th Annual Hawgs for Dogs Motorcycle Ride and the 26th Annual GDA Charity Golf Tournament.
“For nearly 60 years, Guide Dogs of America has reigned as the IAM’s favorite charity, and for good reasons,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “Seeing the extraordinary bond that forms between these highly trained dogs and their owners is so special and so heartwarming, that it’s no surprise how many people want to donate their time and effort to support this work.”
Among the IAM district lodges that continued their long-standing support for GDA were District 751 in Seattle, District 15 in New York, District 190 in Oakland, CA and District 9 in St. Louis. “It was remarkable how many districts and locals stepped forward this year and surpassed all previous contribution levels,” said GDA President Jay Bormann. “Their generosity is simply breathtaking.”
The GDA annual banquet also provides management at IAM-represented companies with an opportunity to support a cause that obviously means so much to their employees. Making sizable corporate contributions this year were Lockheed Corp., The Boeing Company and Spirit AeroSystems.
Recognized this year with GDA’s prestigious 2006 “Gift of Sight Award” were Jim Malony, Vice President of UPS, Ken Lohre, Delta Dental of California and James Beno, DBR District 190.
