Machinists plan Puppy Putt charity motorcycle ride

SEATTLE – The 11th annual Puppy Putt motorcycle ride to benefit Guide Dogs of America will be July 13 at locations around Puget Sound.

The event is sponsored by Machinists Union District Lodge 751 and is a fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America, the California-based charity the provides guide dogs and training in their use to people who are blind or have impaired vision from across the United States and Canada. Last year’s Puppy Putt raised more than $15,000.

This year, riders will leave between 8 and 10 a.m. July 13 from Sound Harley-Davidson at 16212 Smokey Point Blvd. in Marysville and from Northwest Harley-Davidson at 8000 Freedom Lane in Lacey.

The separate groups will meet at District  751’s Seattle Union Hall – 9135 15th Place S. — for an afternoon of food, music and fun.

Puget Sound Harley-Davidson dealers are primary sponsors, but organizers stress that Puppy Putt is an “all breed” event, open to owners of all motorcycle makes and models.

Advanced registration is $15 for a rider, and $5 for passengers. Registration will cost $20 for a rider after July 6. Registration forms are available at all District 751 union halls in Puget Sound or online at www.PuppyPutt.com.

Each rider will receive an event t-shirt, a commemorative patch and a Guide Dogs of America pin. Passengers will receive t-shirts.

For details go online at www.PuppyPutt.com, or call the Everett Union Hall at (425) 355-8821.

District 751 is the top fundraiser for Guide Dogs of America. Over the past four years, the union has contributed more than $1 million, including a record $299,000 collected in 2012.

Originally formed in 1935 to represent hourly workers at the Boeing Co., District Lodge 751 of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers now represents more than 33,000 working men and women at 49 employers across Washington, Oregon and California.

To learn more about District 751, read the Machinists News.