Frieze and Jaeger complete 38th Pan Mass Challenge

Gordon Brothers celebrates our employees’ efforts to make a difference in the community. Recently, two colleagues, Michael Frieze and Jake Jaeger, participated in the 38th Pan Mass Challenge, the single largest athletic fundraising event in the country. 
 
The Pan Mass Challenge – PMC for short – is a 192 mile two-day cycling event that stretches from Sturbridge in central Massachusetts to Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod. Funds raised support the life-saving research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
 
Michael Frieze, Chairman of Gordon Brothers has been riding in the PMC for thirty five years. Michael first got involved in 1983 when a friend challenged him to do it. “Back then there were only 100 riders. We rode all day and stayed in tents at night,” Michael said, “And it’s grown to over 6200 riders with 100% of the money going to Dana Farber.” 
 
2017 marks the 38th year of the PMC. Riders set out to shatter past fundraising efforts, with a goal of $48 million in 2017. Corporate donations cover the overhead, including a professional staff and costs associated with a 4,000 person volunteer crew.
 
Jake Jaeger, an analyst in Gordon Brothers’ Valuations practice, completed his third consecutive ride. Jake says that he initially got involved thanks to a friend who worked for PMC. “I rode alone my first year and even though I am athletic, it was pretty grueling. This year, I recruited nine friends and we rode on the ‘Pedals for Pediatrics’ team.” Each PMC rider needs to raise a minimum of $4,800. To do this, Jake   and his friends host fundraising events at local restaurants and bars in the Boston area, raffling off donated merchandise and gift cards to area businesses. 
 
The PMC course, which winds through 46 towns, has its share of challenging terrain. Along the way, riders see signs with photos of patients at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. For Michael it’s this impact that keeps him coming back, even in the face of injury.  Several years ago, when Michael was only one mile from the finish line, he crashed – separating his shoulder in the process. “I need to finish this race!” he remembers saying to his riding partner. Through grit, determination and a helpful assist on the dismount, Michael made it over the finish line…and returned to Boston immediately for surgery.
 
Congratulations Michael and Jake on your remarkable efforts. Here’s to another great ride in 2018.