Aerospace Machinists union raises $322,000 for charity in 2014

Members of Machinists Union District Lodge 751 raised more than $322,000 for its favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America, this year.

November 26, 2014 6:17 pm
A girl attending the Machinists Union Local Lodge 751-F’s annual Karting Challenge at PGP Motorsports Park in Kent greets a Guide Dogs of America puppy-in-training. The union raised $322
A girl attending the Machinists Union Local Lodge 751-F’s annual Karting Challenge at PGP Motorsports Park in Kent greets a Guide Dogs of America puppy-in-training. The union raised $322

For the Reporter

Members of Machinists Union District Lodge 751 raised more than $322,000 for its favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America, this year.

The announcement was made by IAM 751 President Jon Holden at the annual Guide Dogs of America charity banquet in Las Vegas, where Holden presented a check for $322,266.50.

District 751 remains the No. 1 fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America across North America.

Over the past six years, the union has donated nearly $1.8 million to the California-based charity, which provides service dogs and training in their use free of charge to people who are blind or have impaired vision from across the United States and Canada.

Holden said he was proud of the union members, officers and staff who had organized a dozen different fundraisers throughout the state.

In South King County, the union held a charity go-kart race at PGP Motorsports Park in Kent, along with its annual “Dog Days” charity event at Pacific Raceways. It also held a horseshoes tournament at the Red Dog Saloon in Maple Valley and a benefit sporting clays shoot at the Sumner Sportsmen’s Club.

This year’s success speaks volumes about the skill and dedication IAM 751 Machinists bring to their jobs and their communities, Holden said. “No matter what hurdles are placed in our members’ way, they just won’t stop.”