PARSIPPANY, N.J. (September 8, 2009) – Representatives from Parsippany, N.J. based ERA Franchise Systems LLC, presented checks totaling $800,000 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, Sept 6 – 7. The contribution represented the 2008 fundraising effort of the entire ERA Real Estate franchise network on behalf of MDA.
The contribution was presented to MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis and his co-hosts during the entertaining, inspiring and often emotional 21½-hour broadcast by Mark D’Andrea, senior director of marketing, ERA Franchise Systems LLC. D’Andrea was joined by representatives from the top three fundraising companies in the ERA® network for 2008 – ERA Jose S. Castelo in New Bedford, Mass., ERA Shields in Colorado Springs and the winner of the 2008 ERA Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award, Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA in Camp Hill, Pa. This award is given each year to theERA company that best captures the spirit of giving back to the community.
“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 32 years, and the company and its franchise affiliates have raised over $30 million. The ERAnetwork and customers have raised funds for MDA through their “Home in on a Cure” promotional program, golf tournaments, bowl-a-thons, walk-a-thons and many other special events. For more information on these programs, visit http://mda.org/help/natevents.html.
“The ERA Real Estate network’s support of MDA means a lot to our employees and affiliated sales associates and brokers, because it enables us to be a part of MDA’s tireless lifesaving efforts,” D’Andrea said. “Our commitment to Jerry’s Kids will continue until cures for all types of muscular dystrophy are found.”
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
