ERA Real Estate Launches Campaign To Send 1,000 Children With Muscular Disease To MDA Summer Camps

MADISON, N.J., March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ERA Real Estate, a global real estate franchising leader, recently announced the launch of the ERA MDA Summer Camp Challenge, a highly actionable campaign fueled by a franchise-wide commitment to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The ERA brand's goal is to rally its affiliated brokers and agents to help send 1,000 children in their communities across the nation to MDA Summer Camps over the course of three years by raising $1 million.

Charlie Young, president and CEO of ERA Real Estate, announced the challenge at the brand's 2015 International Business Conference (IBC) in Washington, D.C. to an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 2,000 of its affiliated brokers and agents. Recognizing the positive effect MDA camps has on children who attend them, ERA is leading this campaign to underscore its ongoing commitment to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Since 1977, ERA Real Estate has united to raise nearly $35 million for MDA.

"I was excited to make the rally cry to our tremendously generous brokers and agents when I was on stage at this year's IBC," said Young. "During the conference, I also heard Ben Cumbo IV explain how MDA camp has helped him and kids like him establish a sense of solidarity. Ben is a former camper and National Goodwill Ambassador. He credits that solidarity with giving him the courage to speak on Capitol Hill for increased support of dystrophy diseases, and the confidence to write a book about the subject."  

According to one parent, the emotional impact of the ERA campaign on those served by MDA will be invaluable.

"Until attending MDA Summer Camp, our daughter Lexi wanted nothing to do with her disease," explained Lexi's mother, Keila Nolan. "It felt like she was in denial. During her camp experience, she was no longer 'the physically handicapped kid' and she realized for the first time that her disease does not define her. She came home wanting to know everything about it – and she wants to help others understand too."

"We are not just sending kids to camp," said Young. "We are giving them the opportunity to enjoy new experiences, make new friends, discover their strengths and passions, and build the confidence to achieve their goals."

Muscular dystrophy and related life-threatening diseases often take away people's ability to walk, move, talk, smile and even breathe. MDA Summer Camps offer the amenities and activities of a traditional summer camp, but are designed to meet the unique physical needs of children living with muscle diseases in a fun, safe environment.

The ERA MDA Summer Camp Challenge encourages the entire ERA community of brokers and agents to support the effort through various activities in their local markets, including donations, fundraisers and events. Just one day after making this announcement, pledges were made by approximately one-third of the ERA network. The funds raised will be sent directly to local chapters of MDA for the camps in their communities.

"Dedication to community is at the core of the ERA Real Estate brand," said Young. "While the real estate industry continues to evolve and ERA focuses on innovating to keep pace with the changes, the core of what we represent doesn't alter. We help others in need, from buying and selling a home, to raising charitable contributions and awareness of charitable causes."

About ERA Real Estate 
ERA Real Estate is an innovative franchising leader in the residential real estate industry with 40 years of experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. The ERA network includes approximately 33,000 affiliated brokers and sales associates and approximately 2,300 offices throughout the United States and 34 countries and territories. Each office is independently owned and operated. ERA Real Estate is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE:RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.

About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world's leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of people with muscle disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews. Learn more about MDA's mission by watching this video.

Contact:
Melissa Drake
[email protected] 
973-407-7904

Liz Iannotti
[email protected] 
617-779-1869

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SOURCE ERA Real Estate

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