The DAD motorcycle ride, a fund-raiser for Dollars Against Diabetes, takes place June 9.

The ride to Duluth leaves promptly at 9 a.m. from the Minnesota Laborers Training Center, 2350 Main St. in Lino Lakes, near Exit 123 on Interstate 35E. Cost is $100 per bike or a voluntary contribution. For information, call Ralph Nash Jr. at 651-688-8867.

Dollars Against Diabetes is a program of the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department. Since it began in 1987, DAD has raised more than $14 million to pay for construction and research at the Diabetes Research Institute. The institute opened at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Florida in 1994.

Many building trades members across the country raise money by standing with buckets at busy intersections on Father's Day weekend. Jerry Beedle, a co-chair of the local DAD campaign, said the motorcycle ride is now the primary fund-raiser in the Twin Cities, augmented by 'direct contributions from generous people - mostly in the building trades, their friends and friends of labor.' In addition, he said, Stan Hubbard of KSTP regularly contributes 'a generous check.'

For Beedle, the campaign is year-round; he also sets up canisters in retail locations and banks, and collects aluminum cans to raise additional money.

Those interested in making a contribution can send their check, payable to Dollars Against Diabetes, to: DAD, c/o Jerry Beedle, 1470 Riviera Ave., Lakeland, MN 55043.

This article was written for The Union Advocate newspaper, the official publication of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. Used by permission. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org