American Racing Pigeon Union

AUCTION BENEFITS UNIQUE SCHOOL PROGRAM

A benefit auction held in West Linn, Oregon, is providing over $13,000 in support funding for a program that is in it's sixth year at the Eagle High School in Toppenish, Washington

American Racing Pigeon Union members, Jessie Garza, Jr. and Jessie Garza, III, are the originators and coordinators of a program that has literally turned lives around from troubled to enthusiastic and productive. Utilizing a racing pigeon program within the school curriculum, students gain knowledge and experience in science, English, history, math, geography, technology, art, speech, nutrition & health, job skills, carpentry, responsibility, data collection, research and character education. The extra curricular benefit is the successful competition with the local racing pigeon clubs.

When notified of events, the AU staff is able to prepare and distribute media alerts and press releases to hundreds of media outlets across the country. As a result of details provided by AU Northwest Zone Director, Gary Braden and Program Coordinator, Jessie Garza, press releases were sent and they were able to share exciting information about the program.

One of the auction's most ardent supporters is Dr. Alfred Piaget of Wayne, New Jersey, who first heard about the program at the AU national convention in Florida in 2001 and has donated many birds from his "World Class" collection of Tournier pigeons.

The auction includes an education seminar. This year's guest speaker was racing pigeon specialist, Russell Codd, D.V.M.