San Francisco, CA - June 9, 2011 - Eric Castongia, a top-producer with Zephyr Real Estate, will be participating in San Francisco's 25th Annual AIDS Walk on July 17, 2011. Remarkably, Castongia has participated every year since the fundraiser began in 1987.
The 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) walkathon benefits HIV programs and services in the Bay Area and has raised $74 million since its inception. The event is a model of cost-effective fundraising and community activism while raising awareness about HIV and AIDS, its prevention and search for a cure.
Many programs receive benefits from the AIDS Walk: the AIDS Emergency Fund, UCSF AIDS Health Project, Pediatric HIV/AIDS Program at Children's Hospital and the Homeless Youth Alliance to name but a few.
In 1987, the first AIDS Walk in San Francisco was a breakthrough event that not only raised funds, but also brought the virus to the attention of the community. Bay Area residents raised an astonishing $667,000 that first year, and each successive year has increased that amount with more and more businesses and individuals sponsoring and supporting the cause. There is still time to volunteer and to sponsor a walker or even several walkers. A list of the volunteer opportunities is available at http://www.aidswalk.net/sanfran/takeaction/volunteer.html.
"The AIDS Walk is a commitment I made years ago to help make my community a better place," Castongia said. "I am proud to have been part of this from the onset. My challenge is to outdo myself each year in the number of sponsors and amount of funds raised," he added. To sponsor Eric, please visit his fund-raising website at http://awsf2011.kintera.org/ericcastongia. All sponsorships, great and small, are welcome.
Castongia has been with Zephyr for more than 15 years and is a licensed architect and former interior design instructor as well. In 2009, he received a Golden Z award from Zephyr for his dedication to the AIDS Walk. He is a member of the San Francisco, California and National Associations of REALTORS®.
To learn more about the AIDS Walk, its history, its beneficiaries and the route map, please visit www.aidswalk.net/sanfran/. To learn more about Eric Castongia, visit his website at www.sfhotbuy.com or call him directly at 415.307.1700.
About Zephyr Real Estate
Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San Francisco's largest independent real estate firm with $1 billion in annual gross sales in 2010 and a current roster of more than 200 full-time agents. In 2010, Zephyr launched its new website, which has earned two web design awards, including the prestigious Interactive Media Award. Zephyr Real Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate; and the local luxury marketing association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. Zephyr has six strategically located offices in San Francisco, a business center in Marin County, and serves a large customer base throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.zephyrsf.com.