Machinists Union members who work for civilian contractors at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station raised nearly $5,000 for the North Whidbey Help House with a charity golf tournament Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the Gallery Golf Course.

About 50 golfer took part, braving the day’s heavy rainstorm.

“Given the weather, that was some extreme golf,” said Richard Jackson, the chief of staff for Machinists Union District Lodge 751. “But it turned it to be a lot of fun, and we raised a record amount of money for a good cause.”

District 751 represents about 200 civilian workers at NAS Whidbey who are employed by URS Corp., Delaware Resources Group and Doss Aviation.

Originally formed in 1935 to represent hourly workers at Boeing, District Lodge 751 of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers now represents more than 33,000 working men and women at 52 employers across Washington and California.

Jackson thanked the volunteers and sponsors who helped put with the tournament and gave special recognition to Tulalip Tribes Charitable Contributions, who donated $2,000.

“Their support was really great,” Jackson said. “Working together with the tribes, we were able to do more to assist Help House in its mission to help people in need in Oak Harbor and North Whidbey.”

(The team of (left to right) Stan Sawhill, Bill Herrmann, Rich Bach and Robb Lindell won the third annual North Whidbey Help House Golf Tournament. The benefit tournament is put on by Machinists Union members who work for civilian contractors at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Submitted photo.)