Saturday ride supports Paws for Patriots

Kickstands will go up around the Tampa Bay area Saturday to benefit Paws for Patriots, a program designed to pair guide dogs with veterans.

The Paws for Patriots Benefit Ride and Rally is sponsored by Rolling Thunder, Chapter 11, based in Valrico; and is expected to draw between 50 and 100 bikes from eastern Hillsborough County, said Rolling Thunder member Stephen Dowell.

"We have a rally point at Veterans Memorial Park on U.S. 301, so, if we get 100 bikes, that would be great," Dowell said.

Bikers will begin to converge on four starting locations at 9:30 a.m., including veterans park at 3602 U.S. 301.

Kickstands go up at 11:30 to begin the ride to Quaker Steak and Lube, 10400 49th St. N.. Pinellas Park.

The rally will include Parti Patti with music by Modern Mayhem, a special appearance by international singer-songwriter Theresa Sareo, a classic car show, military displays, guide dog puppies and a club challenge. There also will be vendors and a 50-50 drawing.

Paws for Patriots is a program of Southeastern Guide Dogs that provides professionally trained canines to visually impaired veterans.

The goal of the rally is to sponsor a veteran for the intensive 26-day training that pairs the guide dog with its new master.

Last year, the event raised $10,000 and drew about 200 riders, according to organizer Fran Harrison.

At least two of the dogs have been placed in the Brandon-Riverview area.

Other dogs have gone elsewhere around the country, and some are used as therapy dogs at veterans' hospitals, said Jennifer Bement, a spokeswoman for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Veterans do not pay for their dogs, but they are expensive. From the time they are born through training with their new masters, guide dogs cost about $60,000, Bement said. That makes fundraisers such as the weekend ride all the more important.

Since Paws for Patriots started in 2006, Palmetto-based Southeastern Guide Dogs has placed more than 100 dogs.

"We have a number of third-party fundraisers and it's a great way to get the community involved," Bement said.

For details on Paws for Patriots, go to www.guidedogs .org.