CITGO Lemont Refinery Employees Ride for a Cure in 35th Annual Bike MS: Tour de Farms

LEMONT, Ill., August 16, 2016 /3BL Media/ Thirty-nine employees from the CITGO Lemont Refinery raised approximately $35,000 in the annual Bike MS: Tour de Farms, a two-day bike ride to raise money and awareness for those affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Hosted by the Greater Chicagoland Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the annual Bike MS: Tour de Farms in DeKalb is the largest charity event of its kind in Illinois.

“For the past 19 years, our employees have looked forward to Bike MS: Tour de Farms because they can share their love of cycling while making a difference for those living with MS,” said Jim Cristman, vice president and general manager of the CITGO Lemont Refinery.

MS is a disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and body. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS is thought to affect more than 2.3 million people globally. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society works to identify the cause of MS, improve treatments and find a cure for the disease. Funds from Bike MS: Tour de Farms will go directly toward improving the lives of people living with MS in Illinois through programs, services and research.

“Each rider has a different reason for participating. Maybe they know someone with MS or they enjoy coming together with other cyclists; however, over the years, one common theme I hear is that riders enjoy the personal challenge of increasing their miles and setting new fundraising goals,” said Greater Illinois Chapter President Holly Messick.

This year, the CITGO Lemont Refinery is celebrating 90 years of fueling good in the community. Over the years, the CITGO Lemont Refinery has raised more than $200,000 for research and programs that support individuals and families in Illinois affected by MS and other debilitating diseases. In addition to its commitment to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the refinery supports ongoing volunteer efforts with the Special Olympics and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

About the CITGO Lemont Refinery
For over 90 years, CITGO Lemont Refinery has employed more than 750 Chicago area residents on a full-time and contract basis in support of the local economy. In addition to producing high quality fuels for a large portion of the network of nearly 5,500 locally-owned CITGO stations across the country, Lemont Refinery employees also make a major positive impact on the community. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars are given in support of community programs such as Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way and a variety of environmental and preservation programs. Operations at the Lemont Refinery began in 1925 with a major expansion, doubling the facility, in 1933. Over the years, new units were added to meet the demand for a better quality of gas for automobiles, aviation fuel for WWII, and the production of asphalt. Petróleos de Venezuela, PDVSA, acquired 100% ownership of the refinery in 1997 and began operations as CITGO Lemont Refinery. For more information, visit www.citgorefining.com/Lemont.

About CITGO
CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit http://www.citgo.com/.