| ERA Real Estate
Kevin Meyer (973) 496-7215 or kevin.meyer@ERA.com |
Parsippany, NJ (March 17, 1999) – After infusing $26 million over the past 22 years into the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), and contributing $1.8 million in 1998, ERA Franchise Systems LLC, announced today a renewal of its commitment to MDA. During its annual International Business Conference earlier this month, ERA Vice President and MDA Vice President Jerry Smith challenged the 2,600 worldwide ERA offices to raise over $2 million in each of the next two years and eclipse the $30 million mark before the end of the year 2000.
Several brokers have taken the challenge head on. During an MDA Reception hosted by ERA, broker Dick Rafferty received the highest honor ERA bestows upon its membership for outstanding service and contributions to MDA. Rafferty, owner of ERA Rafferty & Lloyd, headquartered in Fountain Valley, CA, received the Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award after raising $83,000 for MDA in 1998. Rafferty, along with Smith, will represent ERA on the national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day Weekend in Hollywood.
Finalists for the Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award were ERA Woody Hogg & Associates of Richmond, VA, and ERA Jo-Par Realty of Fayetteville, GA. Several ERA companies received the "Jerry Award" for raising over $10,000 each and still others received the "Presidents Award" for raising over $5,000.
"We are so honored to have this caliber of people helping our organization," MDA Director of Program Development Gregg Carroll said. "The efforts of ERA and its member brokers and agents are deeply appreciated as they greatly assist MDA funded scientists to continue groundbreaking research, while helping provide vital services to tens of thousands of Americans affected by neuromuscular diseases."
ERA announced a new cause marketing initiative with MDA through its sponsorship of nationally recognized home expert and author Leslie Levine, who penned Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home? Proceeds from sales of the Levine book will benefit MDA.
ERA also donated a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum in Cleveland, OH, which MDA auctioned off during the International Business Conference. ERA Vice President of Marketing Ralph Pagan presented Carroll with a check during the ERA International Business Conference, renewing its promise to be "Always There For You."
"We should never ask our worldwide membership to do anything we would not be proud to do ourselves," Pagan said. "It all goes back to walking the talk, as I like to put it. We have a long tradition of caring with MDA, and I am very proud of our membership who continue to support such a worthwhile cause as MDA."
ERA Franchise Systems LLC, a subsidiary of CENDANT Corporation (NYSE: CD), is a leader in the residential real estate industry with over 25 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. The ERA Real Estate network includes more than 2,600 independently owned and operated brokerage offices with more than 28,000 brokers and sales associates throughout the United States and 19 other countries and territories. ERA is available to consumers on the Internet at www.ERA.com.
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