Menlo Park Morgan Stanley Employees Ride in Best Buddies Challenge

On September 7, Morgan Stanley’s Team Henry bicycle team participated in the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, a charitable bicycle ride along the Pacific Coast Highway that raises money for Best Buddies’ programs for people with intellectual disabilities. 

This year, Team Henry rode a collective 860 miles and raised more than $35,000, placing them third in funds raised among non-corporate teams and eighth overall.

Team Henry is led by Todd Gemmer, whose son Henry is the inspiration for the team.  Todd is joined by his Morgan Stanley colleagues: Jeff Traum, Lara Kansa, Olivia Bowles-Kymer and Kathleen Carroll, all of whom have participated in the ride at least once before. More than 20 other Morgan Stanley employees also sponsored the team.  

“I see my job as helping clients protect and grow their financial well-being. Getting involved in Best Buddies and other non-profit organizations feels like a natural extension of my work; especially with my interest in helping my son and others with disabilities. For me this is time well invested. The support that I have received from Morgan Stanley and our clients reinforce this,” said Gemmer.

During the last 5 years, Team Henry has raised more than $100,000 for Best Buddies – creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

“The Morgan Stanley Menlo Park Office encourages its employees, financial advisors, client service associates and other support staff to give back to the community both financially and with their time,” said Charles Levy, Morgan Stanley’s Menlo Park Branch Manager. 

“While Todd and his team, the Traum Group, are singularly committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals by providing sound financial guidance, they are also passionately committed to the local community and special causes like the Best Buddies Challenge. They have materially made a difference,” Levy continued. 

Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle is the organization’s largest fundraiser. Approximately 1500 bike riders and walker/runners showed up at this year’s event. 
Best Buddies sponsors programs in many local schools and several local employers – read more at www.bestbuddies.org.  For those interested, next year’s event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014.  
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