Guide Dogs of America (GDA) last weekend held its 37th annual William W. Winpisinger Charity Banquet in Las Vegas. The charity’s highest honor, the “Gift of Sight Award,” was presented to IAM Transportation General Vice President, Sito Pantoja, along with past President of GDA, Dale Hartford and Spirit AeroSystems, President & CEO, Thomas Gentile.
The “Gift of Sight” Award is given annually to recipients who have shown an extraordinary commitment to supporting GDA, which provides professionally trained guide dogs, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired individuals across North America.
“It’s a great honor to receive this award, and I am deeply humbled to be one of this year’s recipients,” said GVP Pantoja. “I accept this award on behalf of all the Transportation Locals and Districts that host events that benefit the Guide Dogs of America all year long.”
The weekend of fundraisers included the charity banquet, a golf tournament, the Hawgs for Dogs Motorcycle Ride and a sporting clay event.
GDA provides guide dogs free of charge to blind and visually impaired men and women in the U.S. and Canada. The school was founded in 1948 after a blind IAM member was rejected for a guide dog due to his age of 57.
