May 11, 2017

At Texas Mutual, we not only give back to the communities that we serve, but also empower our employees to make a difference through charity.

For the fourth year in a row, Texas Mutual participated in the BP MS 150, a charity two-day bicycle ride from Houston to Austin that took place the last weekend of April.

In addition to the ride itself, Texas Mutual's MS 150 team has been fundraising for the cause for weeks. The team raised $52,000 and counting, while the MS 150 as a whole surpassed its $16 million goal.

While many riders are drawn to the team camaraderie, the physical challenge, and the philanthropic mission, for Texas Mutual Claims Supervisor Jennifer Abrams, it was personal. Her sister passed away due to multiple sclerosis so this ride, which raises money for research and treatment of the disease, is very important to her.

“I choke up with tears every time I talk about that because I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity to ride for a cause that matters to me, with the support of Texas Mutual,” she said.

In addition to our 35 riders, Texas Mutual sent 54 volunteers to the MS 150 to help our team and the event at large. They dispensed food, water and snacks, set up the overnight camp in La Grange, transported luggage, gave rides back from the finish line, and supported any riders who lagged behind from mechanical breakdowns or other problems.

This year, the riders overcame some tough weather, with heat and humidity on day one, and hail on day two that delayed the start time. On day two, riders also dealt with a headwind for dozens of miles that made for tough going.

The ride, which brings in 13,000 cyclists and 3,500 volunteers, has been held each year since 1985 and has been a core charitable event for Texas Mutual since 2014. Some riders are avid cyclists, like CEO Rich Gergasko, and some are getting into the sport for the first time. Either way, it’s the cause that brings our team back every year.

“I ride the MS 150 because I get to participate in an event with people of all ages and all walks of life, pushing their limits for a great cause,” said team co-captain Alan Cullen, a senior manager of IT at Texas Mutual.

Click here to learn about more about the 2017 BP MS 150 and for more information on Texas Mutual’s charitable giving.