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Puttin' on the Ritz
The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation is planning to hold its ninth annual signature Gala, "Puttin’ on the Ritz," at Villa Penna on Hayes Road in Sterling Heights, on Friday, October 14, 2022, from 6 to 11 p.m. The event is a county-wide, black-tie optional gala recognizing exemplary leaders in Sterling Heights and Macomb County who demonstrate outstanding civic leadership and community support. The gala features a sit-down dinner, premium bar, live band – the Dave Bennett Jazz Quartet, Speed-painter Dave Santia, a delicious dessert bar, a great selection of auction items and more. Tickets are $150 per person and many sponsorship opportunities are also available.
This year the Foundation is honoring Mary and Ron Lamparter, Founders of the Defense Corridor Center for Collaboration and Synergy (DC3S) located in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with the 2022 Mayor Richard J. Notte Civic Service Leadership Award for all they have done, and continue to do, to build and strengthen Sterling Heights, Macomb County, Michigan, and its defense industry.
Ron and Mary are long-time strong advocates for the defense industry and veterans. They have supported many initiatives to support veterans and grow defense business in Sterling Heights, Macomb County and Michigan. DC3S is a business incubator offering access to resources for young companies in an environment that promotes creativity and collaboration between businesses. DC3S is home to over 30 defense related businesses including Auxiom, Automation Alley Defense Group, The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association and Survivability Solutions. DC3S is also home to the only publicly accessible Interactive 3D Virtual Reality Center in Michigan and regularly hosts fundraisers for the military community at their facility.
A little “Ritz” history…
The "Puttin' on the Ritz" event began in 2013 to recognize exemplary leaders in Sterling Heights and Macomb County who demonstrate outstanding civic leadership and community support.
The Foundation held its first community wide gala in 2013 to honor Mayor Notte for his 20-year career of exemplary service as Mayor to the citizens of Sterling Heights. We funded Mayor Notte's Public Service Endowment Fund with proceeds from this event.
With the passing of long-time Sterling Heights Mayor Richard J. Notte in 2015, the Foundation established an annual Civic Service Leadership Award in his name, to honor his legacy by recognizing outstanding community leaders who share his traits and values and to encourage others to extraordinary civic leadership.
In 2014, we recognized the men and women in Macomb County's Defense Industry and Macomb's veterans by recognizing the largest VFW organization in Macomb County and the state of Michigan and a living Tuskegee Airman. With proceeds from this event, we funded a Veteran's Day endowment to ensure the City would always have funding to hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony.
In 2015 the annual award was given to Macomb County Executive, Mark Hackel the inaugural award recipient. In 2016, the award recipient was Barbara Rossmann, President and CEO, Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals. In 2017, the award went to Congressman Sander Levin. Our 2018 award went to Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner. In 2019, we honored Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Pro-Tem, David F. Viviano.
Our 2020 award went to Dr. Christine Johns, Superintendent, Utica Community Schools. In 2021, we recognized and honored all Macomb and Oakland County health care workers at Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital, Beaumont Health Troy Hospital, Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals and McLaren Macomb Hospital for providing extraordinary, selfless, courageous and tireless health care to all community residents in the face of the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis.
Please attend this exceptional evening celebrating Mary and Ron Lamparter on Friday, October 14, 2022!
For more information, please contact Executive Director Karl Oskoian at oskoiank@sbcglobal.net. You may also contact the Foundation President, Dr. Martin Brown at (586) 907-5003.