CB Richard Ellis pledges support to March of Dimes

     The staff at CB Richard Ellis is backing the March of Dimes with time and money. The 55-person office recently raised nearly $2,000 for the nonprofit organization.
      Barbara Wood, real estate manager for the commercial real estate firm, said she suggested supporting the organization at a staff meeting and the team jumped on board.
      "That's the great thing about working for CB; we're a team, and as a team we're supporting the March of Dimes," said Wood, who is Nevada chapter chairman and past southern division chairman for the organization, which works to prevent birth defects.
      Penny Campsey, general clerk for CB Richard Ellis, was the company's team captain for the April 10 March of Dimes walk-a-thon in Las Vegas. "We had people who collected pledges from their friends and family, then joined together to walk in support of the organization," she said.
      Judy Johnson, administrative assistant, sold "feet" to sign and hang on an office wall, while other staffers donated items for a bake sale.
      Campsey said the effort brought the staff together for a common cause. "And it was educational," she said. "We talked about things we didn't know about until we worked on this, like taking folic acid when you're pregnant helps prevent birth defects."
      Vickie Lehr, director of asset services for the firm, is proud of the staff's effort. "This is a substantial investment for a relatively small office; I think it's noteworthy. And if we can do it, any office can," she said.