Machinists donate to guide dogs program
Members of Machinists Union District Lodge 751 raised more than $40,000 for Guide Dogs of America in June with a series of community events.
The figure is significant, because it takes a more than $40,000 to breed, train and place one service dog with a blind or vision-impaired person, said Tom Wroblewski of District 751.
The union raised money through a fun run in Everett, which raised more than $12,000; a motorcycle poker run that started in Marysville and raised more than $12,000; a Tulalip Casino poker tournament that raised more than $9,000; and a prize drawing that raised more than $7,000.
District 751 is the top fundraiser in North America for Guide Dogs of America, a California-based charity that provides service dogs, free of charge, to people who are blind or have impaired vision from across the United States and Canada.
The union plans several more community fundraising events in support of Guide Dogs of America including the eighth annual Local 751-A Bill Baker Memorial Steel and Wheels Super Show on Aug. 11 at the district’s Everett Union Hall.
Assistance League helps hundreds of students
This was a record year for Operation School Bell, a volunteer program of the Assistance League of Everett.
The program provided new school clothing to 2,995 students and expanded its teen program to clothe 807 Snohomish County high school students though a partnership with Fred Meyer stores.
The funds that make these programs possible come from donations and from sales at the Assistance League Thrift Shop in Everett.
Arlington Rotary introduces new board
Former Arlington school superintendent and City Councilwoman Linda M. Byrnes is serving as president of the Arlington Rotary Club for the 2012-13 club year. She assumed the leadership position July 1.
Also installed in leadership positions were Bucky Tart, president-elect; Cindy Huleatt, vice president; Pamela Beaton, treasurer; Brad Giles, secretary and John Peeters, past-president.
Committee chairmen include Jody Nelson, administration; Kathy McCone, foundation; Duane Rhodes, membership; A.J. Chase, public relations, and Bruce Stedman, service.
The Arlington Rotary Club supports the Arlington Food Bank, Stillaguamish Senior Center, Kids Kloset, Cocoon House, Boy Scout Troop 29 and Housing Hope and provides scholarships of $2,500 to Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington high school graduates.
Internationally the Arlington Club supports a global effort to eradicate polio, provides water systems to rural Panama and donates to relief efforts following a natural disaster such as the 2011 earthquake in Japan. More information is at www.rotaryclubofarlington.com.
To submit news for the Applause column, contact reporter Gale Fiege at 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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