Midwest Territory ‘Rides for Guides’ Raises $40K for Guide Dogs


IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber takes a 95-foot aerial ride on the Pattonville Fire Department’s engine ladder platform at the IAM Midwest Territory’s 8th Annual “Rides for Guides” Classic Car Show at IAM District 9 in Bridgeton, MO.

The IAM Midwest Territory’s 8th annual “Rides for Guides” Motorcycle Poker Run and Classic Car Show together raised over $40k to benefit Guide Dogs of America.

The events, both held this year in the St. Louis area, drew over a hundred participants from greater St. Louis and the entire midwest.

The IAM Midwest Territory’s 8th Annual “Rides for Guides” Classic Car Show brought an impressive lineup of cars, and dogs with booties, to IAM District 9 in Bridgeton, MO.
Drivers taking part in the IAM Midwest Territory’s 8th Annual “Rides for Guides” Motorcycle Poker Run took off during the early morning hours from IAM District 837 in Hazelwood, MO, through a scenic route to Springfield, IL and back.

“Thank you to all the Midwest Territory Districts, Locals, residents, businesses and sponsors for your continued support of the ‘Rides for Guides’ Motorcycle Run and Car Show,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Philip J. Gruber. “The IAM Midwest Territory is committed to helping Guide Dogs of America give the gift of sight to as many visually-impaired men and women as possible. It’s because of your generosity that these charity events continue to be a success and we are able to accomplish that goal each year.”

Guide Dogs of America provides guide dogs free of charge to blind and visually-impaired men and women across 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.

Drivers taking part in the annual Motorcycle Poker Run took off during the early morning hours from IAM District 837 in Hazelwood, MO, through a scenic route to Springfield, IL, and back. Awards were given to individuals who brought in the most pledges, drove the farthest distance and had the oldest bike. Click here for a complete list of winners and photos from the bike run.

The annual Classic Car Show brought an impressive lineup of wheels and engines to IAM District 9 in Bridgeton, MO. The 17 classes included stock cars from as far back as 1959, trucks, muscle cars, corvettes and street rods. Trophies were given to the top three cars in each class, Best of Show and People’s Choice. Click here for a complete list of winners and photos from the car show.

Other activities included raffle ticket and basket giveaways, a zumba class, free train rides for the kids, sponsored by leader in public rail safety Operation Lifesaver, and a visit from the Pattonville Fire Department.

And a special thank you to GDA instructor Jamie Viezbicke and her guide dog in training Laddy who spent the entire weekend greeting participants to both the bike run and car show. See Jamie perform a training exercise with Laddy (Warning: Cuteness Alert).

For more information on these and other IAM Midwest Territory events to benefit Guide Dogs of America, visit the Spirit of the Midwest website at SpiritoftheMidwest.org.

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