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ERA REAL ESTATE HONORS AFFILIATES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION
ERA® brokerages recognized for fundraising efforts to help those in need PARSIPPANY, NJ, March 18, 2003 – ERA Franchise Systems LLC honored affiliates for their fundraising efforts to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) at a special ceremony during the ERA 2003 International Business Conference last week at the San Diego Convention Center. "Our affiliates' long-term commitment to supporting MDA is a natural extension of their dedication to the customers and communities they serve," said P.J. Martin Smith, senior vice president of marketing and national MDA vice president, ERA Real Estate. "The MDA awards ceremony is our way to recognize the members of the ERA family who make a difference in their communities by going the extra mile for MDA." ERA Freeman and Associates, Realtors of Gresham (OR) was recognized as the Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award winner, an annual honor given to the ERA company raising the most funds for MDA. The award is named in memory of an ERA broker who displayed a tireless commitment to supporting MDA. ERA broker Doug Freeman has been raising funds for MDA since 1984. "Like most people, at first I didn't find it easy asking people for donations," said Freeman. "But each year we've done a little more, worked a little harder, and it has been growing every year." Charitable events hosted by ERA Freeman and Associates, Realtors have included a bowl-a-thon, buffet lunch, garage sale and "white elephant" auction and pizza party. One fundraising event that Freeman is particularly proud of is the "Flight Across America," a musical dinner theater created by one of his associates. "There's definitely a lot more to it than fundraising," continued Freeman. "Sales associates reach out to other members of the community and get them involved. It is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with people and network, while doing something you feel good about. It is also an opportunity to remind the community that our ERA associates are committed to the community in a way that goes beyond selling real estate." What motivates Freeman to donate so much of his time to MDA? "I've been fortunate in my life," he says. "My family and I are in good health. Through my involvement with MDA, I've gotten to know children who are not as fortunate. Despite the hardships they face, the positive attitude of these kids and their families is incredible. It is easy to make the effort to raise money for people who need help the way these kids do." Jose Castelo of ERA Jose S. Castelo Real Estate in New Bedford (MA) also said he receives a lot of personal satisfaction from helping the charity. Castelo's brokerage was also honored for its dedication to helping MDA. "Fundraising for MDA takes months of hard work, but the end result gives you the energy and willingness to do it next year," Castelo said. Scarlett Marchman, director of program development, MDA, said, "It is gratifying to see the number of ERA affiliates who are stepping up to the plate to support our efforts. Through their kindness and generosity, they make a significant impact in the lives of those affected by neuromuscular diseases." This year marks the beginning of the brand's second quarter century of support for MDA. To date, the global real estate franchisor's membership has raised more than $30 million for MDA. It is the sole corporate sponsor of MDA from the real estate industry and has consistently been among the top contributors to the organization each year. Funds raised by ERA affiliates throughout the year become part of the final amount presented to the charity during the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. With approximately 64 million viewers, the telethon is one of the most watched television programs in the country. MDA is the world's largest non-governmental sponsor of research seeking causes and effective treatments of neuromuscular diseases, sponsoring more than 400 research projects annually. The fundraising efforts of the ERA system are especially important to MDA because the association's programs are funded almost entirely by private contributors. MDA seeks no government grants, United Way funding or fees from those it helps.
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