The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation will hold its 13th annual signature Gala, "Puttin’ on the Ritz," at Villa Penna in Sterling Heights on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.
This year, the Foundation is honoring Clark A. Andrews, J.D., O’Reilly Rancilio PC, for his 50 years of legal service to Sterling Heights, Fraser, Shelby Township, Macomb Township, the Warren Consolidated and Utica Community School districts and his extensive active volunteer support to many Macomb County business, civic and community organizations.
“Through his 50 plus years of strong community leadership and mentorship to countless young lawyers and legal counsel to many communities and organizations throughout Macomb County, Clark Andrews has left an indelible mark,” said Karl G. Oskoian, Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation Executive Director and President Emeritus. “Through his deep and wide volunteerism and commitment to the legal profession, Clark has led by example with a selfless approach to improving the quality of life of the citizens of Macomb County. We are honored to recognize Clark with the 2025 Mayor Richard J. Notte Civic Service Leadership Award.”
About the Ritz Gala
"Puttin' on the Ritz" is a County-wide, black-tie optional Gala which began in 2013 to recognize 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 entertainment, a wide selection of silent auction items and more.
The Foundation held its first community wide gala in 2013 to honor Mayor Richard J.Notte for his 20 year career of exemplary service to the citizens of Sterling Heights. The Foundation funded Mayor Notte's Public Service endowment fund it manages with proceeds from this event.
In 2014, the Foundation 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, the Foundation funded a Veteran's Day endowment to ensure the City would always have funding to hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony.
With Mayor Notte’s passing in 2015, the Foundation initiated the naming of 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 extraordinary civic leadership.
The Mayor Richard J. Notte Civic Service Leadership Award, proudly includes the following recipients:
- 2015: Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive
- 2016: Barbara Rossmann, President and CEO, Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals
- 2017: Congressman Sander Levin
- 2018: Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner
- 2019: David F. Viviano, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Pro-Tem
- 2020: Dr. Christine Johns, Superintendent, Utica Community Schools
- 2021: Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital, Corewell Health Troy Hospital, Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals, McLaren Macomb Hospital
- 2022: Mary and Ron Lamparter, Defense Corridor Center for Collaboration & Synergy (DC3S)
- 2023: Dr. James O. Sawyer, IV, President, Macomb Community College
- 2024: Anthony Wickersham, Macomb County Sheriff
For more information, visit sterlingheights.gov/shacf.