IAM District 6, Local 388, Local 1191, and Local 1010 sponsored the Quad City Storm’s most recent minor-league hockey game in Moline, Ill., to benefit Guide Dogs of America|Tender Loving Canines (GDA|TLC).
Part of that sponsorship includes custom, one-of-a-kind, Machinists Union and GDA/TLC branded, Scooby-Doo-themed jerseys for the players. After the game, the game-worn jerseys were auctioned to benefit GDA|TLC, and now replicas of the jerseys are being sold for a limited time. The proceeds of the auction go directly to GDA|TLC.
BUY: You Can Buy This Year’s Custom, IAM-and-GDA|TLC-Branded Jersey Here for a Limited Time Only
Sponsoring a Quad City Storm game is an annual tradition many IAM Midwest Territory members look forward to every year. Approximately 400 IAM members, their families, and friends attended Saturday night’s game, which was also “pucks and paws night,” where dog owners can bring their dogs to the arena, matching the Scooby-Doo-themed jerseys perfectly.
“District Lodge 6, Locals 388 and 1191 have sponsored this great GDA|TLC fundraiser event for many years, and Local 1010 joined as a sponsor this year,” said IAM Midwest Territory Chief of Staff Rick Mickschl. “We are all one family, working for a great cause. This was the largest turnout of Machinists Union families that we’ve seen.”
IAM member and staff volunteers sold foam pucks for “chuck a puck,” where spectators can throw pucks onto the ice to win prizes from different businesses. They also handed out free GDA|TLC branded “thunder sticks” to the first 1,000 attendees and sold raffle tickets for one of the replica jerseys.
“We look forward to this event every year,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “The event gets bigger, and the jerseys become more in-demand each year. We were all happy to see the high bids this year for the game-worn jerseys that will ultimately benefit a cause so close to many Machinists Union members’ hearts – Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines.”
Guide dog recipients Christianne Steele and her guide dog, Blythe, as well as Susie Halverson and her guide dog, Mickie, attended the game as special guests.
IAM District 6 Directing Business Representative Pam Gonzalez and IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli performed the game’s traditional puck drop along with both team captains.
This was the fifth year the district and locals sponsored the Quad City Storm game to benefit GDA|TLC. The union has a special connection to the Storm as retired IAM Local 388 member John Dawson owns the team.
Online jersey sales will end on Feb. 23 at midnight!
BUY: Buy a One-of-a-Kind Jersey Here for a Limited Time Only
The funds raised from the Machinists Union sponsored game night, live auction, and replica jersey sales will be totaled and announced after jersey sales end.
Like… ZOINKS Scoob! These Scooby-Doo Night jerseys are 🔥
We'll have a limited number of replicas available in the team store on game night and well be auctioning off game-worn jerseys after Saturday night's game to benefit @GuideDogsGDA🐾#FreezeWarning | @MachinistsUnion pic.twitter.com/X63AiEB8tS
— Quad City Storm (@QuadCityStorm) January 26, 2024