Enterprise in Your Community
Enterprise employees bike, volunteer for MS 150 ride
By Rhonda Sciarra: Senior Writer, Employee Communications
Enterprise employees from Corporate, Information Systems and the St. Louis group volunteered by foot and by bike in the September MS 150 bike race, which raises money for the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. The society's Gateway Area Chapter hosted the Missouri MS 150 Sept. 8 and 9 in Columbia, Mo.
Cyclists bike a 75-mile route each day for two days, enjoying creatively themed rest stops along the way. About 26 employees, their friends and family members cycled in the ride and raised about $17,000. Another 20 volunteers helped staff and decorate a rest stop along the course. Employees from Corporate, Information Systems and Group 01 were encouraged to join Team Enterprise.
Team captains for the cyclists were Senior Software Engineer Jacqueline Bulaga and I.S. Business Analyst Gwen Best. Cyclists are of all levels and abilities, and train all summer long to prepare for the tour. Cyclists raise at least $250 a piece, which covers the tour registration and meals; cyclists pay for lodging (either a hotel or camping) on their own.
"The ride takes you through two loops, one that goes north through Missouri and one that goes south," Gwen says. "You really get the chance to enjoy the countryside and the amazing views while being surrounded by thousands of other cyclists."
The challenge of training for a cycling event is what attracted Jacqueline to her first MS 150 tour in 2000. Now the tour's cause is what keeps her coming back and dedicated to forming Team Enterprise. "A friend of mine was diagnosed with MS three years ago," Jacqueline says. "That is what has helped motivate me. "
Cyclists were also motivated by volunteers at the Enterprise rest stop, one of several set up every 10 miles along the course. I.S. ARMS Development Managers Colette Orrick and Angie Colona managed the stop, which had a carnival theme and included snow cones and popcorn. Employees donated supplies and machines.
Colette says hard work that went into preparing the stop was worth the rewards that came as riders cycled through. These riders included I.S. Assistant Vice President Anita Klopfenstein (who has MS) and her children, who rode through on a four-seat bike. "The cyclists were so appreciative that we were there," Colette says.
Cyclists on the Enterprise team included ARMS Development Director Mike Callison, Lead Software Analyst Kerry Jones, Senior Software Engineer Jeremy Kasmann, Marketing Communications Graphic Artist Maggie Massey, Software Architect Sam Schneider, Parent Accounting Supervisor Todd Tanzberger, Certificate Analyst Amanda Taucher and Lead Systems Engineer Colin Wright. Volunteers included: St. Louis Group Accountant Jessica Havens, ARMS Product Management Manager Jeff King, Fleet Services Administrative Assistant Tonya King, Product Manager Derrick Glasper, Senior Business Analyst Ken Mahne, Test Engineer Brandon Mahne and Senior Test Engineer Seshusree Chirumamilla.
The MS 150 Bike Tour is the largest fundraiser for the Gateway Area Chapter of the National MS Society and, overall, raised almost $2 million in 2006. The society's mission is to end the devastating effects of MS, an autoimmune disease that affects the Central Nervous System. For more information, visit the National MS Society Gateway Area Chapter Web site.
