Puttin' on the Ritz

The Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation is holding its 14th annual signature Gala, "Puttin’ on the Ritz," at Villa Penna on Hayes Road in Sterling Heights, in October 2026, 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, a delicious dessert bar, a great selection of auction items and more. Tickets are $150 per person and many sponsorship opportunities are also available.

For more information, please contact Executive Director and President Emeritus Karl Oskoian at oskoiank@sbcglobal.net. You may also contact Foundation President, Dr. Martin Brown at 586-907-5003.

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 the Mayor'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 and Synergy (DC3S)
  • 2023: Dr. James O. Sawyer, IV, President, Macomb Community College 
  • 2024: Anthony Wickersham, Macomb County Sheriff
  • 2025: Clark A. Andrews, J.D., O’Reilly Rancilio PC