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Climb For Kids Team Summits Mt. Elbrus

August 1, 2014 By

Today we are thrilled to announce that CENTURY 21 CEO Rick Davidson and the Climb for Kids team have successfully summited Mt. Elbrus, the tallest peak in Europe!

While the rest of us were fast asleep, the team awoke on climb day at 1:00am and began their summit ascent at 3:00am, starting at high camp. Rick reports that, “The weather was perfect.”

Seven hours and twenty minutes later, the Climb for Kids team reached the summit, the tallest peak in all of Europe.

Every single team member made the summit. Rick shared, “A 100% success rate is a rarity in mountaineering, but the team was strong and pushed through the mental and physical barriers that are ever present on a mountain of this magnitude.”

In this photo below you will see a large pyramid shadow casting into the distance. This was the shadow of Mt. Elbrus as the sun rose around 5:30 am. Rick explained, “This is a spectacular sight and a rarity. In all my years of climbing I have only seen this phenomenon one other time from the summit of Mt. Hood.”

Scott Becker of CENTURY 21 New Millennium, also on the climb, cheered, “All week we had been looking up at the peaks just over the Russian border in Georiga. Today we got to look down at them from the summit of Mt. Elbrus! We returned to base at 3:30pm to celebrate with shish kabobs and a Russian beer (or two).”

This year’s climb team included a very special member, retired U.S. Army Sergeant Benjamin Breckheimer. By completing the Climb for Kids, Benjamin became only the second Wound Warrior to summit Mt. Elbrus. What an incredible inspiration.

Benjamin shared on his Facebook page, “I would like you all to share my story to as many people as you possibly can to show that with the right mindset you can accomplish anything, no matter how many hurdles you have to jump.”

Reflecting on this year’s Climb for Kids, Rick said, “Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 for Easter Seals. We have reached the summit, but we are not there yet and need your help so we can help children, adults and veterans achieve their own personal summits. Please donate – ever dollar goes directly to Easter Seals to serve the community. Thank you in advance for your generosity!”

To help the team celebrate their achievement, donate to the Climb for Kids right now.

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Climb For Kids Team Completes Acclimatization Hikes

July 30, 2014 By

On Monday we shared with you the first update from CENTURY 21 CEO Rick Davidson and the Climb for Kids team as they arrived in Russia. The team is preparing to climb Mt. Elbrus, the tallest peak in Europe.

Today we are happy to report the team is feeling healthy after completing two acclimatization hikes.

Earlier this week the team arrived at base camp in Terskol, Glade Azou, Russia, which is at the foothills of Mt. Elbrus.

To get acclimated to the terrain and elevations, the team climbed Mt. Cheget which is on the border of Russia and Georgia.

This climb is up to 11,000 feet and one of three the team will complete before attempting Mt. Elbrus.  They were able to reach 10,000 feet before being restricted to go higher.

From his satellite phone, Rick has shared with us, “It’s beautiful here. The people are friendly and many from all around the world. We played Frisbee with two Russian children yesterday and spent time talking to two climbs from Pakistan and Bangladesh. We also saw the team from South Korea who we met at the airport. We hope to see them on the mountain.”

While preparing for the big climb up Elbrus, the team met up with a group of climbers from Singapore who are also planning to summit Elbrus.

The woman pictured above to the right or Rick (in blue) has summited Mt. Everest. She has friends who summited K2 this week. There was a U.S. team who submitted K2 this week as well becoming the 13,14 and 15th Americans in history to do so. That team was lead by Garrett Madison, the guide from the Climb for Kids trip to Mt. Hood.

On their final acclimatization hike this week, the team was able to reach 11,000 feet before ascending to high camp.

They caught their first view of Mt. Elbrus.

Rick reports that, “The team was really strong and the weather report says our summit day weather is looking good!”

Want to support the Climb for Kids? The team’s goal is to raise $100,000 for Easter Seals and there is still time to donate. Click here to show your support.

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Climb For Kids Team Heads To Mt. Elbrus

July 28, 2014 By

This week, CENTURY 21 CEO Rick Davidson and the Climb for Kids team boarded planes in their home states and headed for Russia. The team will be climbing the tallest peak in Europe, Mt. Elbrus.

The Climb for Kids team includes two CENTURY 21 System members, Scott Becker of CENTURY 21 New Millennium and Natalia Aulenbacher of CENTURY 21 Freedom Realty.

Also joining the Climb team is retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Benjamin Breckheimer.  Benjamin was in rehab for two years following a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. Though severely wounded, he has taken on mountaineering. When asked about his addition to the team, Rick shared, “What an inspiration and what an American hero! It’s no accident that we got connected.”

As the team begins their adventure, Rick is sharing photos with us, live from Russia. Here is a shot of the team at the airport, waiting to board their final connection:

At the airport our team discovered another climb team from Seoul, Korea, who is also planning to summit Mt. Elbrus.

Once in Russia, Rick and the team did a bit of sightseeing and even took a few selfies!

When sharing the below photo, Rick joked, “The market is upside down in this neighborhood!”

Amidst their exploring, the team found the perfect spot to take a group photo.

Next up, Rick and the team will prepare to set up at base camp.

Want to support the Climb for Kids? The team’s goal is to raise $100,000 in support of Easter Seals and there is still time to donate. Click here to contribute.

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Veteran Climber Natalia Aulenbacher Joins Climb With Rick Davidson

July 15, 2014 By

Natalia Aulenbacher of CENTURY 21 Freedom Realty is an outdoor adventure junkie. After moving to Alaska in 2000, she has served as a mountain guide and a rafting guide. Upon learning of Century 21 CEO Rick Davidson’s passion for climbing, she introduced herself at this year’s Global Conference and within minutes, had accepted the offer to join the Climb for Kids team.

We sat down with Natalia to hear more about her passion for the outdoors and how she’s preparing for this year’s trip.

C21: How did you get involved in this year’s Climb for Kids?

NA: I’ve lived in Alaska since 2000. I move here to climb mountains. That’s why I wanted to live in the state. I went to Alaska Pacific University where I received a degree in Outdoor Studies, which was gearing me towards owning my own guiding outfit.

As for this year’s Climb, I knew Rick loved to climb and I had just joined CENTURY 21 a year ago (in March 2013) and so when I found out her was a big climber, I wanted to reach out and talk to him about if the Climb would ever return to Alaska.

When Rick and I met in person at this year’s Global Conference in Las Vegas, we began talking about climbing and then offered for me to join this year’s trip.

C21: Each year the Climb supports Easter Seals. Is this your first time fundraising for the organization?

NA: This is my first time fundraising for Easter Seals. They don’t have as large a presence in Alaska as they do in other states.

C21: We know you love the outdoors, but how did you first get involved in real estate?

NA: When I graduated college I decided to work near Denali as a mountaineering guide. It made me realize that type of climbing wasn’t what I wanted to be doing. I decided to head back where I had worked as a raft guide in the summers. At that point I got very into fly fishing, which is probably the second most popular income generator for Alaska. I wanted to be a fishing guide.

A while later I would up working in Cooper Landing for Alaska River Adventures. I was there for four years when I decided I wanted to ask the owner if I could buy the business and take it over. I started to pursue that, I had three investors and then I had a moment where I thought, “I am buying a job. Why would I do that?” so I put on the brakes. I wound up working there for three more years and that is where I met my husband. He’s the one who introduced me to real estate.

C21: How did your real estate interest develop?

NA: My husband and I started investing in some properties. That lead me to meeting a realtor who recommended I get my real estate license. I spoke to that agent’s broker and I hung my license with them. In the fall of 2012, I officially started working in real estate.

C21: How have the first two years been?

NA: I definitely struggled that first year. The following summer I had a very good year and I’ve been cruising along ever since.  I really do enjoy real estate – helping people purchase and sell. I have built a niche here now. I help people analyze their investment opportunities and make a profit.

C21: We’re happy to have you in the CENTURY 21 System, Natalia. We look forward to hearing the tales of your climbing adventure with Rick and the team.

Natalia, Rick and team are aiming to raise $100,000 in support of Easter Seals. To help the team reach their goal, donate here.

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CENTURY 21 Headquarters Staff Volunteers At Camp Merry Heart

May 2, 2014 By

For the 12th consecutive year, Century 21 Real Estate LLC corporate staff members put aside their smartphones, conference rooms and normal business duties to spend the day working at an Easter Seals’ camp facility, Camp Merry Heart.

Camp Merry Heart is one of the few camps that accommodate both youths and adults with disabilities. Easter Seals relies on the support of organizations like the CENTURY 21 System to make the Camp accessible to as many people as possible. Donations and volunteer are especially crucial to the camp to stay afloat.

Yesterday, 120+ CENTURY 21® professionals volunteered at the camp in Hackettstown, NJ, making repairs, painting, installing new amenities and helping with landscaping projects. In total, the company logged approximately 700 hours of volunteer time on the workday to Camp Merry Heart in order to get the facility prepared to open for the summer.

Easter Seals has been the philanthropic partner of Century 21 Real Estate LLC for 35 years. In total, the CENTURY 21 System has raised more than $108 million on behalf of Easter Seals. The annual volunteer day at Camp Merry Heart is one of many examples of how CENTURY 21 Real Estate contributes to the organization.

To learn more about how you can support Easter Seals, click here.

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CENTURY 21 Global Conference: Celebrating 35 Years With Easter Seals

March 21, 2014 By

At the CENTURY 21 Global Conference this week, the brand celebrated an important milestone: 35 years of partnership with Easter Seals. In that time, the CENTURY 21 System has raised over $108 million dollars in support of Easter Seals and the families they serve.

During the closing session of the conference, CENTURY 21 President and CEO Rick Davidson welcomed Jim Williams to the stage. Jim, the CEO of Easter Seals, shared a few words about what this ongoing partnership means to him, to his team and to all the individuals who benefit from Easter Seals programs.

Next to take the stage was Easter Seals Adult Representative, Angela Spraul. Angela’s husband was critically injured while serving our country and spent months in the hospital.

During that time, Angela and her husband enrolled their two young daughters in daycare through Easter Seals. She explained, “Finding good daycare in our area, where we actually felt comfortable leaving our girls, was extremely difficult. Once they started to attend daycare with Easter Seals they were so happy. They loved their teachers and they still ask to go back and visit.”

Then, Angela very bravely shared with that audience that after struggling for months with his recovery, her husband took his own life. She began to tear up and took a minute to compose herself. During that moment, the entire audience rose to their feet to applaud her strength.

In closing, Angela shared that the team from Easter Seals was the first group of people to reach out to her after this tragedy and the team has continued to support her and her girls. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Following Angela’s incredible story of courage, CENTURY 21 System member John Kersten arrived on stage to present Easter Seals with a check for the dollars raised by his CENTURY 21 office.

This year John and his team raised $923,000 dollars in support of Easter Seals.

2014 brings a new opportunity for you to donate to Easter Seals. For the third time, Rick Davidson will be leading a group of adventurers on a mountain climb (this time in Europe) and every single dollar raised by the climb team will go directly to Easter Seals.

To join your fellow CENTURY 21 System members in supporting our philanthropic partner, visit Easterseals.com/Century21.

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Watch Rick Davidson on, “Preparing Veterans & C21® Agents for the Perfect Partnership”

February 28, 2014 By

Earlier this month, Rick Davidson, President and CEO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC, joined Veterans United and Easter Seals for a Google Hangout titled, “Preparing Veterans & C21 Agents for the Perfect Partnership.”

We are thrilled to announce that you can now watch that Google Hangout, both the high level recap or the full length version in HD.

Here is a look at the Hangout:

For real-time on updates on the brand’s support of veterans and the ways you can help, be sure to follow “CENTURY 21″ on Facebook and Twitter.

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Join Rick Davidson on a Google Hangout, “Preparing Veterans & C21® Agents for the Perfect Partnership”

February 10, 2014 By

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11th, Rick Davidson, President and CEO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC will join Veterans Affairs, Veterans United and Easter Seals for a Google Hangout titled, “Preparing Veterans & C21® Agents for the Perfect Partnership.”

The Hangout, which begins at 2:00pm ET, will cover the steps CENTURY 21® is taking to help veterans achieve homeownership, why military members should use their VA home loan benefit and how real estate agents can better serve veterans and military families.

Jack Tilley, the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, and Jim Herdt, ninth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, will offer their knowledgeable advice on the unique situations veterans face during the homebuying process and what veterans should expect from working with military-friendly real estate agents.

To join tomorrow’s 2:00pm ET Google Hangout, visit this website.

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Easter Seals Dixon Center Rings Opening Bell At NASDAQ

January 3, 2014 By

On Monday December 30th the Easter Seals Dixon Center had the honor of ringing the opening bell at NASDAQ in Times Square in New York City. For this momentous occasion, Rick Davidson, Chairman, Easter Seals International Board of Directors, and Jim Williams, Easter Seals President and CEO, rang the opening bell.

For nearly 100 years, Easter Seals has provided life-changing solutions for children and adults living with disabilities, as well as veterans, service members, military families and families of the fallen. The organization recently renewed its commitment to military families, providing direct services and assistance in a variety of areas such as work force development, job placement, family counseling, housing and access to healthcare and wellness programs.

Recognizing the new and unmet needs of so many returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, Easter Seals partnered with Dixon Center and COL David W. Sutherland to address serious gaps in service, mobilize its national network of community-based services to enable veterans and their families to thrive where they live, build partnerships, share innovations and connect those who have served to local supports and services. Easter Seals Dixon Center is equipped to serve individuals and military families through staff, volunteers and community partners via 550 service sites nationwide.

“In everything Easter Seals Dixon Center does, we believe our veterans, military families, and the families of our fallen can thrive where they live. We believe in the power of communities and in the importance of reintegration by harnessing existing community-based support to deliver profound results. Easter Seals Dixon Center strengthens communities by building partnerships, sharing innovations and connecting those who have served through collective impact initiatives in their local communities,” said Williams. Learn more at www.easterseals.com and www.thedixoncenter.org.

Watch the opening bell ceremony right here:

For more information on veterans services, particularly pursuing the dream of homeownership, watch CENTURY 21 CEO Rick Davidson on a recent Google Hangout and read up on VA loans in this guest post from Chris Birk, Director of Content Development for Veterans United Home Loans.

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CENTURY 21 Veteran’s Day Survey Finds Home Ownership Most Important Factor For Returning Service Members

November 8, 2013 By

Today the CENTURY 21 brand announced the results of its Veterans Day survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive.  In honor of its long-time partnership with, and dedication to, Easter Seals, CENTURY 21 conducted the survey to identify veterans’ perceptions of home ownership and the roadblocks they face when searching for a home.

According to 75% of military families, owning a home is one of the most important things to service members upon returning from service.  Among the reasons that becoming a homeowner is so significant to veterans are a desire to have their own residence (73 percent), establishing a household (43 percent) and financial security (36 percent).  In addition, the majority of veterans (88 percent) indicated that owning a home makes them feel safer.

“Home ownership is a top priority for many, but is especially significant to those returning from a tour of duty,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate LLC.  “Veterans have done so much to serve our country.  We are proud to work with Easter Seals to help empower veterans to lead more independent lives and fulfill the dream of homeownership.”

When we say “Welcome home,” we meant it.

Check out the infographic below with the full results of the survey:

For active or retired service members who are interested in Easter Seals resources available to them, call the Easter Seals Community One Source Hotline, (866) 423-4981, or email veterans@easterseals.com.  Visit www.century21.com/aboutus/veterans to learn more.

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