All 350 Miles of This Lake Michigan Ride Will Help Rochester's Leader Dogs

Thirteen years ago, Michael LaBelle hopped on his personal watercraft for the longest ride he'd ever taken: a 200-mile trek from St. Ignace to Traverse City and back again. Fellow personal watercraft enthusiast Thomas Russo organized the ride as a fundraiser for , the nonprofit organization that raises and trains guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired. 

Russo named the event the Grand Tour and began an annual tradition on Lake Michigan.

"Tom (Russo) lived in Rochester Hills, so he would see the dogs out in the community being trained, and he really wanted to do something to help the organization," LaBelle said. "He had organized shorter rides for a (personal watercraft) club and was ready to try something on a larger scale to help Leader Dogs."

When Russo moved to Florida a few years later, LaBelle, a 51-year-old Bloomfield Hills resident, took over as the event's coordinator. He is one of three riders to make the trek every year.

"I was happy to step in," LaBelle said. "It's important to me ... the No. 1 function of this event is to bring awareness of and raise money for Leader Dogs."

Growing in stature and numbers

The endurance ride has expanded from a 200-mile, two-day event the first year to a 350-mile, three-day ride with a celebration banquet on the final evening. This year, 23 participants from seven states will depart Mackinaw City on Thursday and end the ride in Holland on Saturday, making overnight stops in Traverse City and Ludington.  Seven land-support volunteers will follow the group along the route with trucks and trailers.

In February, the Grand Tour was given a booth at the Detroit Boat Show at Cobo Hall to publicize the event and Leader Dogs. Five new riders joined the tour this year as a result.

Tour participants are required to raise at least $500 for Leader Dogs; some raise as much as $6,000. Since it began in 1998, the Grand Tour has raised $255,000 for the organization.

"Some riders hold fundraising events throughout the year, and others just ask friends and family," said LaBelle. "We also get donations handed to us at every marina when we refuel during the ride. People see this huge group of (personal watercraft enthusiasts) and start asking questions, and when they find out what we're doing, they want to contribute. It's really great to see."

The night before the Grand Tour begins, LaBelle said he reminds riders of three goals.

"No. 1, we're here for Leader Dogs for the Blind," he said. "Second to that is showing the community that (personal watercraft) riders are responsible individuals, and third is the enjoyment of the ride and the friendships we make here."

A personal challenge

LaBelle said he wouldn't miss the tour for anything. He's a two-time cancer survivor and has scheduled chemotherapy treatments around the Grand Tour schedule. And some years, he's had to miss his wedding anniversary with his wife — they celebrated their 31st anniversary Tuesday.

"I always try to schedule the ride around the anniversary," said LaBelle. "But she's a good sport about it, and we always go out for dinner to celebrate before or after."

Today, riders will meet in Holland to load their personal watercraft onto semitrailers and then take a motor coach together to Mackinaw City. At 8 a.m. Thursday morning, they'll set out on Lake Michigan for the first leg of the tour.

"This ride will challenge you mentally and physically," Labelle said. "But my objective is to make it safe and enjoyable for everyone while we put Leader Dogs in the spotlight."

For information about the Grand Tour or to make a contribution to Leader Dogs for the Blind, visit the official website or email Michael Labelle at mlabellesr@gmail.com.