Community Spotlight: James Lawler Rides for Pat Mac’s Pack

At Inszone Insurance Services, we believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work. Through our Charitable Time Off (CTO) program, our team members are empowered to dedicate paid time away from the office to support the causes that matter most to them. This month, we are proud to highlight James Lawler, who used his CTO to take part in the Pat Mac Ride in support of Pat Mac’s Pack.

Pat Mac’s Pack is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 2014 in memory of Patrick McNamara, a boy from Chicago’s South Side who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age two and battled the disease for most of his life before passing away at thirteen. Established by Patrick’s parents, Tom and Dee McNamara, the organization raises funds for pediatric brain tumor research at Lurie Children’s Hospital and provides direct support to children fighting cancer and their families. 

Each June, Pat Mac’s Pack hosts its signature fundraiser, the Pat Mac Ride, a 100-kilometer (about 62-mile) cycling journey from St. Barnabas in Chicago to Notre Dame Parish in Michigan City, Indiana. What began in 2014 with roughly 40 riders has grown into an annual event drawing more than 400 cyclists and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for the fight against pediatric cancer.

James joined his fellow riders for the full route, pedaling the distance alongside hundreds of others united behind a single cause. He has supported the organization since its earliest days, making him one of the longest-standing members of the Pat Mac community. 

James’s connection to the cause is deeply personal. “I’ve been involved with this organization since its inception,” James shared. “Patrick went to school with my children, and they all got to know him very well. He battled cancer for most of his life and succumbed to the disease at a very young age.” 

We are incredibly proud of James for his enduring commitment to honoring Patrick’s memory and supporting families facing pediatric cancer. Thank you, James, for representing Inszone’s core values and making such a meaningful impact in your community.

If you are an Inszone employee interested in participating in the CTO program, please contact HR to learn more.