IAM&AW 
NIPSIC Local Lodge 282
Community Service
Guide Dogs of America:
Local Lodge 282 is an avid supporter of the Guide Dogs of America (GDA). Their mission statement is "Guide Dogs of America is dedicated to its mission to provide guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women from the United States and Canada so that they may continue to pursue their goals with increased mobility and independence."
The IAM&AM has a long standing history with the GDA. "
Guide Dogs of America was founded over 50 years ago by Joseph Jones, Sr. with the help of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (I.A.M.A.W. or I.A.M.)
Joseph Jones, Sr., shown in the picture to the left with his guide dog Lucy, was a retired member of the I.A.M.A.W.
When Mr. Jones became blind, he considered all his options and decided his mobility needs would best be met by using a guide dog. He applied to all the existing schools, but he was declined because of his "advanced age". He was only 57 years old.
Mr. Jones was a determined man and "no" was not a word in his vocabulary. He turned to the I.A.M. for help, soliciting assistance from the I.A.M.'s Executive Council. The I.A.M. Executive council conducted extensive research, determined there was a growing need for guide dog services, and therefore endorsed the founding of International Guiding Eyes (I.G.E.) In 1948. The I.A.M.A.W. continues to be a generous supporter and staunch advocate of the school's mission today.
I.G.E. was one of the first guide dog schools to be founded by a blind individual. It was also one of the first schools to adopt a policy of no upper age discrimination.
In 1992, International Guiding Eyes changed their "doing-business-as" name to Guide Dogs of America in an effort to communicate more clearly the services provided by the organization. Now the organization operates under the name Guide Dogs of America as an International Guiding Eyes Program. Today Guide Dogs of America seeks new and better ways of helping the blind community."
If you are interested in supporting the Guide Dogs of America, please contact us or the Guide Dogs of America for more information.
Content for this page is provided by the Guide Dogs of America. Use of graphics, images, information or any other content of this web site and its pages is expressly forbidden without permission from Guide Dogs of America. Guide Dogs of America does grant permission to use information from this site for educational and informational purposes only as long as information is not altered and is properly cited.
Local Lodge 282 is an avid supporter of the Guide Dogs of America (GDA). Their mission statement is "Guide Dogs of America is dedicated to its mission to provide guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women from the United States and Canada so that they may continue to pursue their goals with increased mobility and independence."
The IAM&AM has a long standing history with the GDA. "
Guide Dogs of America was founded over 50 years ago by Joseph Jones, Sr. with the help of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (I.A.M.A.W. or I.A.M.)Joseph Jones, Sr., shown in the picture to the left with his guide dog Lucy, was a retired member of the I.A.M.A.W.
When Mr. Jones became blind, he considered all his options and decided his mobility needs would best be met by using a guide dog. He applied to all the existing schools, but he was declined because of his "advanced age". He was only 57 years old.
Mr. Jones was a determined man and "no" was not a word in his vocabulary. He turned to the I.A.M. for help, soliciting assistance from the I.A.M.'s Executive Council. The I.A.M. Executive council conducted extensive research, determined there was a growing need for guide dog services, and therefore endorsed the founding of International Guiding Eyes (I.G.E.) In 1948. The I.A.M.A.W. continues to be a generous supporter and staunch advocate of the school's mission today.
I.G.E. was one of the first guide dog schools to be founded by a blind individual. It was also one of the first schools to adopt a policy of no upper age discrimination.
In 1992, International Guiding Eyes changed their "doing-business-as" name to Guide Dogs of America in an effort to communicate more clearly the services provided by the organization. Now the organization operates under the name Guide Dogs of America as an International Guiding Eyes Program. Today Guide Dogs of America seeks new and better ways of helping the blind community."
If you are interested in supporting the Guide Dogs of America, please contact us or the Guide Dogs of America for more information.
Content for this page is provided by the Guide Dogs of America. Use of graphics, images, information or any other content of this web site and its pages is expressly forbidden without permission from Guide Dogs of America. Guide Dogs of America does grant permission to use information from this site for educational and informational purposes only as long as information is not altered and is properly cited.
