The 14th annual "Bike the Bend for Literacy" event held Nov. 24 raised a record-breaking $40,000 to benefit the Literacy Council of Fort Benda nonprofit organization dedicated to adult literacy education. This year's fundraising efforts nearly doubled figures from 10 years ago.

"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.