$237,000 Raised at Sold-Out Pinot and Pups Benefiting Guide Dogs for the Blind

Jason-Eckert and David-Smith

Portland, OR. Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) raised $237,000 at its sold-out 2016 Pinot and Pups Fine Wine Auction held at the Portland Art Museum. Approximately 320 guests attended the event on June 18th, which featured tastings of Pacific Northwest wines, a raffle and a silent auction.

GDB alum and keynote speaker Joy Thomas, with her GDB guide Roja, and twin sister Jenelle Landgraf. Joy and Jenelle have the same degenerative eye condition and have partial sight. They co-write a blog called “Double Vision”.

Ron Richardson and Kathy Leather enjoyed the bidding and the puppies.

Portland philanthropist and long-time GDB supporter Howard Hedinger cuddles a future guide dog

Rachel Chamness, GDB apprentice guide dog mobility instructor; guest Dan Kaemfg; and Eliana Temkin and Wendy Sprints from Hair of the Dog Brewery. GDB is the house charity of Hair of the Dog.

Guests used dog bone shaped placards for bidding.

GDB Board Member Sigrid Button and long-time GDB supporter Dr. Laurie Christensen, with a sleepy guide dog puppy.

Funds will help support training, puppy raising, transportation, client services and veterinary care, including services provided at and through GDB’s Boring, Oregon, campus. Approximately 140 clients graduate from the Boring campus annually.

From Guide Dogs for the Blind:

Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide dog school; we are a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of our services are provided free of charge; we receive no government funding.

GDB has two campuses: one is headquartered in San Rafael, California — 20 miles north of San Francisco, another in Boring, Oregon — 25 miles east of Portland.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.