“We had budgeted for a certain amount of sponsorships, and we really surpassed that this year,” said Christina Guerra, events and communications coordinator with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend. “It was a definite jump in the amount we have raised, which is great since we are trying to offer more services to the people we serve.”

In recent years, the organization has added computer literacy courses for its members as well as citizenship classes for those preparing for the U.S. Citizenship Test.

The Bike the Bend event attracts hundreds of cyclists each year, featuring 20-, 35- and 62-mile routes that begin at Foster High School and traverse Fort Bend County. Nearly 200 riders participated in the 2014 event. Sponsors included McGrath Co., Tax Tech Inc., Alliance Laboratories, Westin Homes and Cross Creek Ranch along with dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals from the community.

“The success and growth of this major event would not be possible without the generous sponsors, in-kind donors and volunteers, who give their products, resources and time to make their community a better place,” said Kelli Metzenthin, executive director of the Literacy Council of Fort Bend.

The Literacy Council of Fort Bend is located at 12530 Emily Court, Sugar Land. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit www.ftbendliteracy.org.