The Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers (AIRE) will be working with Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation to honor the memory and legacies of Len Caldeira and Milton Podolsky, two long-time members who passed away earlier this year.
Bear Necessities’ mission is to eliminate pediatric cancer and to provide hope and support to the children and families who are touched by it. Adapting the Foundation’s Bear Hugs program, AIRE is launching “BAIRE Hugs from Len and Milt” and will be collecting retailer gift cards and cash donations at AIRE’s Annual Holiday party on Thursday, December 10 at the Park Ridge Country Club.
During fiscal year 2014 Bear Necessities provided more than 380 Bear Hugs, a customized experience that brightens the life of a child going through cancer.
“Whether celebrating Hanukah or Christmas, the holidays have always been about children and family,” Scott Duerkop, AIRE’s 2015 President, said. “To honor the memory and generous outreach of Len Caldeira and Milton Podolsky, AIRE is proud to embrace the mission of Bear Necessities and make the holidays as special as possible for children and families courageously battling this disease.”
AIRE is encouraging all members, especially those who attend the annual holiday party, to purchase and donate gift cards in minimum $25 denominations from national retailers, restaurant chains, gas companies, department stores and credit card companies. More information about Bear Necessities and a complete list of gift cards suggested by the Foundation can be found on the AIRE website.
For every $25 worth of gift cards donated at the holiday party, those making donations will receive a raffle for a variety of prizes that will be given at the event. Raffle items include a humidor of custom-rolled cigars, a bottle of fine scotch and other valuable gift items.
Milton Podolsky, a longtime member of and former president of AIRE, founded what today is Podolsky|Circle CORFAC International. Len Caldeira was a longtime member of AIRE and other industry associations and most recently was with JLL. Len also was a longtime supporter of Bear Necessities.
