RISMEDIA, September 14, 2010—Representatives from Parsippany, N.J. based ERA Franchise Systems LLC, presented checks totaling $479,000 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the 45th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, September 5-6. The contribution represented the 2009 fundraising effort of the entire ERA Real Estate franchise network on behalf of MDA.
According to the company, the contribution was presented to MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis and his co-hosts, by Debbie McGriff, vice president of business development, ERA Franchise Systems LLC during the entertaining, inspiring and often emotional 21½-hour broadcast. McGriff was joined by representatives from the top three fundraising companies in the ERA network for 2009—ERA Jose S. Castelo Real Estate in New Bedford, MA, ERA Shields Real Estate in Colorado Springs, CO, and the winner of the 2009 ERA Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award, Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA in Camp Hill, PA. ERA Franchise Systems LLC honors its top fundraiser with the much respected Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award for carrying on the spirit of this major ERA benefactor of MDA. The winner is invited to represent ERA Real Estate on the annual MDA Telethon national broadcast.
ERA Franchise Systems LLC president and chief executive officer, Charlie Young, commented: “The ERA Real Estate brokers and sales associates show their commitment to improving the lives of children and our communities through their hard work on behalf of and dedication to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.” This award is given each year to the ERA company that offers the best example of making a contribution to their community with their MDA fundraising efforts.
“Thanks to the continued support of the ERA network, we’re moving even closer to developing effective treatments and finding cures, while we’re delivering vital assistance like medical clinics and summer camp,” Lewis said. “Thanks to the marvelous efforts of organizations like ERA Real Estate, hope will one day be transformed into reality for ‘my kids’.”
ERA Real Estate has been an MDA national sponsor for 33 years, and the company and its franchise affiliates have raised over $30 million. The ERA network and customers have raised funds for MDA through their “Agent of Hope” promotional program, golf tournaments, bowl-a-thons, walk-a-thons and many other special events.
For more information, visit www.ERA.com.