When ERA Real Estate set out to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary, it also marked its 35th year as a corporate sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Combining the MDA’s current “Muscle Walk” awareness campaign with New Orleans’ time-honored tradition of the second-line parade, ERA Real Estate staged the ERA® MDA Mardi Gras Muscle walk last month on the opening night of ERA Real Estate’s 2012 International Business Conference.
A large, energetic group of ERA brokers and agents from across the country and around the world gathered in support, marching through the streets of the French Quarter on the way to Generations Hall, the venue for the conference’s opening night party themed “Generations Celebration.”
Dressed in costumes from the 70, 80, 90s, 00s and today, parade participants purchased ERA and MDA branded parasols, hankies and beads to wave, twirl and throw along the parade route, with sales proceeds supporting the local MDA chapter in New Orleans.
“I can think of no greater visible sign of the ERA community’s commitment to the mission of MDA than the sea of enthusiastic supporters who joined in this truly memorable event,” says Charlie Young, president and CEO of ERA Real Estate. “We are deeply proud of our longstanding relationship with MDA and the support we have provided to families across the country. We look forward to working together to continue to fund research, services and hope for people dealing with this range of disorders.”
During the past 35 years, ERA Real Estate and its franchise affiliates have raised nearly $35 million for the cause. The ERA network and customers have raised funds for MDA through art auctions, picnics, golf tournaments, bowl-a-thons, walk-a-thons and many other special events.
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.
For more information, visit www.ERA.com.
