Corporate Sponsorship: The Muscular Dystrophy Association

Since ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. became the sole corporate sponsor from the real estate industry for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in 1977, the ERA® network has raised millions of dollars to help fight neuromuscular diseases. ERA companies nationwide host events and fundraisers throughout the year, including golf tournaments, walkathons and auctions, to raise funds for this worthy cause.

What is MDA?
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a voluntary national health agency that is aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. There are approximately 230 hospital-affiliated clinics across the country. In addition there are approximately 180 local MDA offices nationwide. These offices are available to serve anyone with one of the neuromuscular diseases in the Association's program. MDA supports more research on neuromuscular diseases than any other private-sector organization in the world, seeking causes of, and cures and treatments for, neuromuscular disorders.

The ERA/MDA Partners In Caring Program
The financial support of ERA members has enabled MDA to conduct groundbreaking research and provide, clinics, ALS centers, support groups, wheelchair-purchase assistance programs and summer camping experiences for children and adults affected with neuromuscular diseases. ERA Real Estate works closely with MDA representatives to develop fundraising programs that are fun, simple and make a huge impact on the people they touch. Wherever you see the ERA/MDA Partner in Caring logo, you know that ERA real estate professionals are working tirelessly on behalf of the millions of Americans living with neuromuscular diseases.

Labor Day Telethon
Every Labor Day, ERA Real Estate attends the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon as a national sponsor to present its network-wide contributions to support the fight against neuromuscular diseases. In addition, individual ERA companies and professionals from around the country present checks, match pledges and answer phone calls at their local telethons to do whatever they can to help this worthy cause.

Day in May
Continuing a time-honored tradition for ERA Real Estate, A "Day in May for MDA" is a coast-to-coast fundraising event that provides support to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Every year, participating ERA affiliates each select one day in May to raise funds to support MDA in its fight against neuromuscular diseases. Local ERA offices host all types of events – from walk-a-thons and bowl-a-thons to black-tie galas, silent auctions, golf tournaments, bake sales, garage sales and dinner theater shows – to raise money for this worthy cause.

MDA Summer Camp
Each year, across the country, MDA hosts weeklong summer camps for children and young adults ages 6-21 suffering with neuromuscular diseases. These MDA Summer Camps offer the campers a wide range of fun and exciting activities especially designed for their needs and abilities. Most importantly, it allows these children to forget about the daily obstacles and challenges they face and allows them to have fun simply being a kid for a few days. ERA professionals around the country help make a child's summer by raising funds, donating supplies or even volunteering to be a camp counselor.

Rent Movies, ERA/MDA Netflix Promotion
To further its ongoing support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, ERA Real Estate has begun a fundraising campaign in partnership with Netflix, Inc., an online movie rental subscription service.

To learn more about the ERA and MDA relationship or any specific fundraisers and programs, e-mail nick@eratopservice.com.