Sappi Employee Bikes to Support a Cause

Shawn Ray, Financial Analyst at Sappi North America’s headquarters in Boston, felt a personal connection when he decided to participate in the 2019 “Pan-Mass Challenge.”

“I ride to make a difference,” said Shawn. “My family has been participating for the better part of 10 years now, and I was lucky enough to join the team. Since losing my grandmother and mentor, Carol Ryan, to cancer in 2014, I knew that I had to get involved, and riding in the Pan-Mass was the best decision I have ever made.”

The Pan-Mass Challenge is an annual bike-athon in Massachusetts, where riders can participate in 12 different routes, ranging from 25 to 192 miles in length, across the state. The money raised supports research efforts at the notable Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

This past August marked Shawn’s fourth ride with the Pan-Mass Challenge, where he rode alongside his team, Pedals for Pediatrics.

“I can’t describe the emotions I felt during my first 192 miles. From the living-proof riders to the amazing volunteers to the overwhelming support along the entire route, it was truly a life-altering experience for me. No one should lose their life to this disease, and with every donation and new rider in the Pan-Mass, we are getting #CloserByTheMile.”

SNA’s Community and Employee Relations Committee (CERC) in Boston matched employee donations to Shawn’s ride, to increase his positive impact. CERC’s support is just one example of how Sappi North America amplifies the passions of its employees to better our communities.

Read more from Sappi North America's 2019 Sustainability Report here.