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Woodlands Fundraising Sizzles: “Go Red for Women” Luncheon Attracts More Than 700, Raises $300,000

By Shelby Hodge

5.17.15|1:03 pm

Babu Varughese and Dr. Annie T. Varughese, luncheon chair and sponsor.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Allegra Blanchard, from left, Sondra Ruhman and Tracy Wilken.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Kim Koehn, from left, Casey Gillespie and Michele Shifflett.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Honoree Monette Smith.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Dr. Kozhaya Sokhon and Margaret Merz.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Brian Salby, from left, Dr. Ann Snyder, Lonny Soza and Dean Burden.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Dr. Bud Frazier, from left, Dr. Annie T. Varughese and Dr. Reynolds Delgado.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Allegra Blanchard and Tracy Wilken.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Honoree Jill Barber and Dr. Sakina Davis.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Gordy and Michelle Bunch.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Jason Higham and Ray Larson.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Mary Ann Young and Kelly Holt.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Jason Stanfield and Tim Putthuff.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

Dr. Annie T. Varughese.Photo by Susan Lee Photography

The enthusiasm with which Houston has embraced community philanthropy for many decades is today running full-force in The Woodlands with charitable fundraisers growing at a rapid pace. Most recently on the north-of-Houston dance card was the American Heart Association Montgomery County Division “Go Red for Women” luncheon.

More than 700 community leaders gathered in the ballroom of the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel for the event that surpassed its $300,000 goal. The success was thanks in part to luncheon chair and sponsor Dr. Annie T. Varughese, cardiologist for Advanced Cardiovascular Care Center.

Playing on Varughese’s Indian heritage, ballroom decor by Gayelene and Linda McIngvale’s A Memorable Event evoked Indian traditions while the physician’s daughter, Nicole Varughese, and the Masala Kids performed a flash mob Bollywood dance.

KHOU Channel 11 meteorologist Chita Johnson served as emcee and introduced three women spotlighted for personal successes — Monette Smith, AHA volunteer Jill Barber and HeartSaver Hero Award recipient Elizabeth Nuno.

Entertainment included a Macy’s fashion show and a rendition of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” sung by Dr. Varughese in memory of a young patient who died as a result of a congenital heart defect.

Guests included Dr. Bud Frazier, Babu Varughese, Dr. Kozhaya Sokho, Margaret Merz, Michelle and Gordy Bunch, Darla and Dean Burden, Kim Koehn, Lonny Soza, Courtney Gillespie, Michelle Shifflett, Dr. Reynolds Delgado, Mary Ann Young and Kelly Holt.

TWFG Supports Healthy Living and Active Lifestyles

The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG) and its founder, president and CEO, Richard “Gordy” Bunch III, based in The Woodlands, Texas, believe healthy living is the greatest contribution a company can make to its community and its residents. As a matter of business and community support, TWFG contributes to a general group of large and small charities. But TWFG specializes in supporting organizations and events that promote good health and active living. By sponsoring high-profile events that encourage physical fitness, TWFG also demonstrates that it is directly benefitting current and potential policy holders and their families. Gordy believes: “Doing well by doing good,” is a truism, as well as an axiom,”

Gordy practices what he preaches. At one time, “Gordy” (‘Gordo’ basically means ‘fat person” in the Spanish language), says he deserved the nickname as a child and even into young adulthood. After a four-year stint in the Coast Guard he recognized the benefits, as well as the necessity, of being fit. When he founded TWFG in 2001 with his life-savings of $10,000, he worked the hectic routine of a burgeoning entrepreneur to survive and build his business. Too often, he reverted to convenient “comfort food” when hurricanes, tornadoes, mold, floods and the tragedy of 9-11 all struck in the inaugural year of his TWFG insurance and financial services company. Gordy was already married with his first child at the time and knew he had to get back in shape for his own and his family’s sake. It was then that cycling and exercise entered his life. The new regimen helped him to become an Iron Man participant, and soon thereafter, he was able to finish the run-swim-cycle marathon. In Iron Man, the goal for most amateur athletes is not to win, but just to finish the grueling experience. Today, Gordy and TWFG are one of the sponsors of the Iron Man event held in the company’s headquarters home town community, The Woodlands, TX.

Gordy’s penchant for active living attracted him to become title sponsor for what is now the TWFG Gran Fondo bicycle race. The 2015 race will be staged in Montgomery County, Texas. TWFG Gran Fondo has a perfect profile to illustrate Gordy’s healthy lifestyle philosophy of giving. It offers a 103-mile challenge which prepares participants for the MS150-mile Houston-to-Austin ride, or the Ironman competition. It also includes 74 and 48 Challenge Rides with hills which is considered a tune-up for any of the bigger rides or those who are just achieving the higher limits of cycling. Finally, there is a 25-mile Family, School, and Recreational Ride for any and all ages. Gordy sees the TWFG Gran Fondo as a
“Triple Threat and Treat” because in addition to helping thousands of bicycle enthusiasts, proceeds benefit the Houston Medical Center Orchestra and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://www.granfondotexastmco.com

Another TWFG healthy-living event is the TWFG Muddy Trails Bash. Foot races and walks wind through the George Mitchell Nature Preserve located on 1,800 acres of Creekside Park in Harris County, Texas. There are 5k and 10k races for ages 10 and older. The Little Muddy Kids race is a one-mile Fun Run for children age 5 and up. There is even a Fun Run that participants can do with their dog! The post-race party includes crawfish plates and live Zydeco music for kids, parents, and whoever is in the park.

*Note: TWFG Muddy Trails Bash is named after Mud Bugs (aka: Crawfish) and is NOT a mud run. http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?NID=454

TWFG extends its interest in physical fitness to the annual Dragon Boat races in support of the local YMCA. In 2014, TWFG registered a team for the fifth consecutive year and won its race with dozens of its headquarters staff employees pulling oars and supporting their teammates instead of crunching actuarial tables and crashing computers.

The company’s overall slogan, which is also Gordy’s personal pledge to customers and employees, is “Our Policy is Caring.” Other beneficiaries of TWFG’s “Caring” policy are: American Heart Association, Susan G. Breast Cancer Foundation, Barnabus Group, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Toys for Tots, CASA Child Advocacy, College of the Ozarks, University of North Texas, Texas A&M University, University of Houston-Downtown Advisory Board; The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Texas Rush (Kid’s Soccer), Young Life, The Woodlands United Methodist Church, and JROTC.

Most recently, Gordy, who also contributes many hours of his personal and executive time as an elected and unpaid member of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, was contacted by The Women’s Center, a safe haven home for abused women. Seems the children who accompanied their mothers on their escape to the shelter, had nothing to do while their abused mother was rebuilding and rearranging her life in the communal home. The request was for used bicycles that the kids could ride around the grounds, getting out of cramped quarters and enjoying the fresh Texas air. Gordy recognized this as an opportunity to get the kids physically activity, while once again contributing to the good will of the community. Gordy asked his headquarters employees to bring in used bikes from their homes to donate. When the total count of bikes, tricycles, and scooters was not enough to take care of all the kids, Gordy called in a TWFG intern, handed him a credit card, and said “Go out and buy three brand new bikes.” The kicker to the whole exercise is that when the children leave for a new life with their mothers, they will be invited to take their bikes with them and Gordy will help The Women’s Center all over again. That’s what you do when your “Policy is Caring.” Nobody cares more about keeping everyone fit and healthy than Richard “Gordy” Bunch III, Founder, President and CEO of The Woodlands Financial Group.

TWFG Steps Up for Kids’ “Muddy Trail Bash”

THE WOODLANDS, TX, March 11, 2014 –  “Kids and mud go together,” Gordy Bunch said as he signed a three-year agreement for The Woodlands Financial Group to be title sponsor of the popular Muddy Trails Bash in The Woodlands. As president and CEO of the nationally-ranked TWFG insurance services company, Bunch said, “The Woodlands is our home, so we need to ensure that our local kids strive for a healthy lifestyle and have fun at the same time.”

The 2014 Muddy Trails Bash will be held on Saturday, April 5, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Rob Fleming Park here. The event features a 5K and 10K run, plus a Little Muddy Kids one-mile run and a 2K-9 Fun Run so that even the family dog can participate. A post-race party will include crawfish platters, a crawfish cook-off, and live Zydeco music plus other activities for children. More than 1,500 participants are expected for the various races, plus an estimated 3,000 spectators, according to race planners – The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department.

Expressing enthusiasm for his company’s sponsorship, Bunch said, “TWFG is proud to support this exciting event which impacts so many of our Woodlands’ children and families. Everyone’s a winner because, I’m happy to say, every participant gets a medal and a commemorative

t-shirt.” Race information is at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/races .

The Woodlands Financial Group is the 30^th ranked property and casualty independent insurance agency in America and ranked #1 in Texas for Personal Lines insurance. TWFG operates 318 branches in 21 states and close to 3,000 affiliate agencies are located in 38 states. Overall, TWFG, whose slogan is “Our Policy is Caring,” covers up to 200,000 clients in 49 states with home, auto, health, life and business insurance. Its web site is www.twfg.com.

For further media information: Gordy Bunch 713-416-0789

Photo: The Woodlands Township announces a three-year title sponsorship of the Muddy Trails Bash by The Woodlands Financial Group (TWFG). Left to right: Angel Nicks and Chris Nunes of The Woodlands Township, Gordy Bunch, President and CEO of TWFG, and Nick Wolda of The Woodlands Township, display the new event logo as they prepare for the 2014 TWFG Muddy Trails Bash at Rob Fleming Park in The Woodlands.