Volunteers needed to help with race

Oregon's first World Cup Sled Dog Race, the Atta Boy 300 "Race for Vision," is coming to Central Oregon January 5-13, 2002. Host accommodations for the mushers and their handlers are needed in Sisters, Bend, Prineville, La Pine and Sunriver. The race will also require a large number of volunteers.

Some of the top sled dog racers in the world, including the current Iditarod Champion, are coming to compete for a top prize of $50,000. The field, limited to 35 competitors, is already filled and organizers are looking for host families for each.

The dogs stay in the trucks for the night. Host families are invited to join their mushers at banquet dinners held each night in their honor at the completion of the day's race.

Sponsored by American Nutrition, the makers of Atta Boy dog food, the Atta Boy 300 is the realization of a long held dream of Jerry Scdoris, a professional musher and owner of the Oregon Trail of Dreams Sled Dog Rides at Mt. Bachelor. Jerry's daughter Rachael, a local favorite, will compete in this year's event and is the official spokesperson for the race.

Host families are needed in Sisters on Monday, January 7 and Tuesday, January 8.

Hosting and volunteer information is available from the Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau at 382-8048.