ACG Cares

ACG Detroit is proud to honor our members that exhibit a personal passion for serving and supporting their community through our ACG Cares initiative. Take a look below to see who we have recognized recently.

Having charitable endeavors is an amazing way to give back to your community. Volunteering gives us the opportunity to make an impact on someone else's life, often when they need it the most. Our ACG Detroit members and sponsors are involved with so many local charities and have been for years.

We love to hear how our members are making a difference in Metro Detroit. If you or a colleague are giving back and making a difference in our community, please take a few minutes to complete this survey and share your experiences with us.

ACG Cares Submission Form

March 2025

This month, ACG Cares is happy to highlight annual gold sponsor, Warner Norcross + Judd, for organizing initiatives that help foster connections with the community. Warner & its members support:

The AQUME Foundation, an innovative, sustainable, and trusted philanthropic steward of resources for the advancement of Black communities throughout Michigan

Family Promise, helping homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response

United Way, mobilizing communities to action so all can thrive, advancing health, youth opportunities & financial security

While firm members are the driving force behind philanthropic endeavors, Warner has cultivated a culture of giving, and a long-standing tradition of stewardship and enduring partnerships with a variety of nonprofit organizations.

February 2025

For February, ACG Cares is proud to shine a light on McDonald Hopkins, an annual silver sponsor. At McDonald Hopkins, they believe public service is fundamentally important to the legal profession. In the Detroit area, the firm has recently been involved with philanthropic efforts including, but not limited to:

· RX for Reading - Hosted a children’s book drive to support this Detroit non-profit literacy initiative that works to expand access to books and support families in reading with their children.

· The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan - Supported the Holiday Toys Program by raising funds, purchase & wrapping gifts to help ease the holiday stress for families impacted by blood cancers, allowing them to focus on healing.

· Race for the Cure - “Team McDonald Hopkins” comprised of attorneys and staff from our Detroit office passionately worked to raise funds and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, culminating in the 2024 Race for the Cure Detroit event. Team McDonald Hopkins emerged as the top fundraising team, raising over $33,000 to support life-saving breast cancer research.

January 2025

This month we are happy to highlight ACG Cares committee member, Erin McGovern of Kickpoint Ventures. Erin serves on the Advisory Board of Urban Alliance Detroit and is excited to be supporting economic growth and building a diverse, next-generation workforce in Detroit. The organization connects high school students to equitable, inclusive careers through paid work experiences, pre-apprenticeships, mentorship, and professional development. They work with schools and employers to address systemic barriers to economic mobility for young adults of color and to bridge the gaps between education and workforce development for all young people.

December 2024

As our last highlight of the year, ACG Cares to happy to recognize ACG Detroit silver sponsor, UHY. The firm operates its charitable giving activities through UHY Cares Michigan, an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. This idea was inspired by employees and is volunteer based. Through UHY Cares, employees give back to the community, including helping individuals going through personal emergencies or hardships. They have provided assistance to over 150 local charities and families, including Playworks, the South Michigan Food Bank and the list continues to grow every year.

November 2024

ACG Cares is proud to support Transracial Journeys (TRJ) as the beneficiary of the 2024 Kimble Bells Charity & Networking event. Kurt Harvey, Past President of ACG Detroit, serves as Chair of the TRJ Board of Directors.

Transracial Journeys supports and uplifts transracially adopted individuals and their families, recognizing that community is essential at every stage. Founded in 2013, the organization provides a space where children find belonging, parents find support, and families find community as they navigate the unique challenges of adoption, identity, and racial differences. They provide practical tools and post adoption support for parents of a different race than the Black and Brown children entrusted to them.

Freshbank Partners with Kurt Harvey & Terese Hunwick will be matching donations to TRJ at Kimble Bells & for several days following the event.

October 2024

This month, ACG Cares is happy to highlight annual gold sponsor, Huron Capital, for their support of Crossroads of Michigan. The organization was founded in 1971 in response to a growing number of people in the community who did not have access to the same resources and were not being treated the same as others. Huron Capital donates annually through the Footprints Program and also volunteers for their Summer Lunch Program. This year, Huron employees served a fresh made taco lunch to 50 children and parents. They loved meeting the Crossroads clients and children in person, getting to serve them a meal. Crossroads is a grass roots organization that believes in the power of people and of care. Huron Capital feels great knowing that their monetary donations, as well as volunteer hours go to an excellent cause and are put to good use for those who need it most.

September 2024

ACG Cares is proud to highlight ACG Detroit Board Member, Mark Winter from Identity PR for his work with The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW). Mark has been on the Board of Directors for five years and currently chairs the development committee, providing creative strategy and support for all fundraising efforts.

THAW's mission is to stabilize and empower Michigan families—keeping them healthy, safe and warm. THAW not only provides utility assistance, it replaces old and inefficient furnaces, ovens, water heaters etc. It also provides home efficiency supplies and training. More than 90%of every dollar raised goes directly to their mission.

August 2024

This month we are happy to highlight ACG Detroit programs committee member, Jeff Chappell for his community service efforts. Jeff serves on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit. For over 40 years, RMHC has been providing a "home away from home" for the families of ill or injured children receiving care at Children's Hospital. As pediatric services increase in Detroit, so does the need for RMHC & programs. The mission is personal for Jeff & he is proud to be part of an organization that is a beacon of hope to families experiencing a traumatic time.

July 2024

This month, ACG Cares is proud to highlight ACG Detroit board member Chas Chandler, for his volunteer efforts with Career Spring, sharing his experience & professional path, as a Career Advisor.

Career Spring is a free, online networking and job placement platform to help first generation and/or low-income (FGLI) students find high-quality employment and launch meaningful careers. FGLI high school & college students are successful careers waiting to happen. But they often lack the information, connections, and professional context that is accessible within college-educated families and communities. Your career experience can inform and inspire FGLI students, too! Learn more here.

June 2024

This month we are happy to highlight ACG Detroit annual bronze sponsor, Brown & Brown for their public & community service efforts. Through the Brown & Brown Disaster Relief Foundation, they have assisted those impacted by natural disasters, who have experienced property loss, physical injury, or other emergency hardships for nearly 20 years. Brown & Brown teammates demonstrate a culture of caring by stepping up to help others in times of need. Keep up the good work!

May 2024

This month we are thrilled to highlight the charitable efforts of Riveron, an ACG Detroit annual bronze sponsor. Through Oakland Family Services' Adopt-A-Family program, they supported 4 families, including 15 children in the last year. Riveron also participated in United Way's backpacking initiative this past year, packing & delivering 7397 backpacks filled with school supplies.

Riveron employees also spent a day with Junior Achievement, working with high school students & walking them through a mock life budgeting exercise.

April 2024

This month, ACG Cares is happy to shine a light on ACG Detroit Silver Sponsor, Rehmann. Through the

Rehmann Foundation, they are committed to making a tangible difference by advancing educational opportunities, propelling economic development and strengthening communities. Through partnerships with like-minded organizations who empower individuals that represent diverse backgrounds and experiences – they will make a positive impact in our world. In the last year, the foundation has awarded grants to Tech Town, The Konnection, and Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan.

March 2024

ACG Cares is proud to highlight ACG Detroit annual silver sponsor, Stout. In addition to their volunteer efforts, the company donates quarterly to nonprofits that employees are passionate about. Recently, they have supported The Alzheimer's Association leading the charge in Alzheimer's care, support and advocacy, Forgotten Harvest fighting hunger & food insecurity, & Downriver Foster Closet helping foster kids rebuild their self-esteem & adapt to their new home.

February 2024

This month, ACG Cares is happy to shine a light on ACG Detroit Bronze Sponsor, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. Last year, the firm demonstrated its unwavering commitment to community engagement by providing support to over 150 nonprofit organizations across the state, including 36 in Southeast Michigan.

Employees dedicated their time and energy to projects such as the Downtown Boxing Gym and the Life Remodeled Six Day Project, where they worked to remove blight from the yards of vacant properties in Detroit.

January 2024

This month, ACG Cares is proud to highlight ACG Detroit Board member & Membership Committee Co-Chair, Larry Gardner. Larry serves on the Board of Directors at COTS (Coalition for Temporary Shelter –Detroit). He also created a photojournalism book to raise awareness and

funds for the organization. COTS, founded in 1982, is a private Detroit-based non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, supportive and affordable housing and comprehensive support services for families experiencing and at risk of experiencing homelessness.COTS exists to create and facilitate opportunities that empower families in poverty to collaborate, thrive and succeed in building strong and stable households, neighborhoods and communities. COTS is hosting their signature fundraiser Soup City on January 24.

December 2023

This month, ACG Cares is proud to highlight Women's Forum Co-Chairs Carrie Schochet and Amy Whipple for their continued involvement with the Power Company Kids Club – a local non-profit organization helping at-risk kids discover and develop their own strengths and talents.
As the charity beneficiary of this year's Kimble Bells Networking & Charity Event, ACG Detroit donated $5,000 – which board member Mike Kulka generously matched, bringing the total to $10,000 – to the organization.

In addition to these funds, members and guests brought various snacks and treats to the event to support the organization's ongoing needs. In total, we collected 60 large bags of assorted candy, 160 rice krispie treats, 360 fruit snack pouches and more than 1,800 juice boxes.

November 2023

This month, ACG Cares is proud to highlight ACG Detroit board member Tom Vaughn for his volunteer efforts with the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson's. Tom serves as the Secretary for KGF, which raises awareness and funding to help people live well with Parkinson's disease. By focusing on collaboration, cooperation & teamwork, KGF promotes exercise as a way to slow the progression of Parkinson's.

October 2023

This month, ACG Cares is proud to highlight Membership Committee member, Kathy Kasperek. In addition to her past volunteerism and fundraising for the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes and Gleaners Community Food Bank, Kathy and her team at Wells Fargo recently spent time making blankets for Fleece & Thank you.

This Michigan-based non-profit organization is dedicated to providing connection, comfort, and hope to children facing illness and their families supporting them. They are on a mission to make sure that every child gets guaranteed color and comfort in the form of a fleece blanket when they begin their hospital stay.

September 2023

ACG Cares is shining a light on ACG Detroit sponsor RSM for their volunteer efforts with Earthworks Urban Farm. A program of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, the farm seeks to build a just, beautiful food system through education, inspiration, and community development. Volunteers from RSM donate their time & talent to weed, plant & harvest, helping restore the connection between environment & community.

August 2023

ACG Cares is proud to highlight NextGen committee member Dominic Polidori. In addition to his past involvement building homes in New Orleans for Habitat for Humanity and volunteering for Forgotten Harvest, Dominic volunteers at the Birmingham YMCA's Social Club. The program provides an opportunity for young adults with autism to get together on Saturday evenings to play games, share a meal and more. The goal is to help them form friendships and a social circle, regardless of disability or difference, as they transition to adulthood.

July 2023

This month, ACG Cares is highlighting board member, Mike Kulka and PM Environmental for their continued support of local nonprofit organizations serving metro Detroit — including Alternatives for Girls and Human-I-T.

Alternatives For Girls is a Detroit-based nonprofit provides critical services — including safe shelter, street outreach and educational support, vocational guidance, mentoring and more — to homeless and high-risk girls and young women. Human-I-T provides devices, internet access and tech support to communities while diverting technology from landfills to protect our planet.

June 2023

ACG Cares is proud to highlight ACG Detroit's incoming Programs Committee Chair Matt Morgan for his work with Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit. Matt has been involved with the organization for over seven years — starting as a volunteer, preparing meals for families, to now serving on the Board of Directors.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Detroit provides a "home away from home" to support the families of ill or injured children being treated at Metro Detroit hospitals and medical facilities. Helping physically, economically and emotionally during their healthcare journey by keeping families close.

May 2023

ACG Cares is shining a light on ACG Detroit sponsor Butzel for their continued efforts to support those who need it most! Through the Butzel Long Charitable Trust — wholly funded by Butzel attorneys, employees and team members — they give back to the communities where they live and work!

In the past year alone, the trust has supported VETLIFE, Down Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan, Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation, Wayne County Jail Outreach Ministry, Oakman Elementary School, Crossroads of Michigan, Birth Detroit and more. Butzel will continue to seek out those organizations doing the greatest good for the most people.

April 2023

ACG Detroit Vice President, Danielle Bass, serves as a volunteer mediator for The Eastern District of Michigan's Early Mediation Program which is an alternative to litigation for prisoners who have filed federal civil rights lawsuits against the Michigan Department of Corrections. To learn more about the Early Mediation Program, please visit here. Danielle has also completed over two dozen name changes for members of the transgender community through the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF). To learn more about TLDEF and the Name Change Project, please visit here.

March 2023

We are proud to honor ACG Detroit sponsors, BDO & Purple Squirrel Advisors for their involvement with 100 Businesses Who Care - Southeast Michigan — a group of top executives from companies in southeast Michigan making an impact in the local community. As a part of this organization, BDO, Purple Squirrel Advisors and many other companies meet twice per year to nominate and hear pitches from three charities and select a final winner to receive $500 contribution from each company for a total donation of $50,000. donate valuable time and resources to countless established 501(c)
As of March 2023, the group has gifted over $434,000 to 11 different local non-profit organizations, including Friends of Foster Kids, Angel’s Place, Building Bridges, Life Directions & more.

February 2023

ACG Cares is highlighting ACG Detroit Board Member Rajesh Kothari, CFA and his company, Cascade Partners for their support of Leader Dogs for the Blind. The nonprofit empowers people who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind with skills for a lifetime of independent travel, opening doors that may seem to have closed with the loss of sight. Raj currently serves on the Alternative Revenue Task Force for the organization. Cascade Partners is proud to be an Empowerment Sponsor for Leader Dogs for the Blind’s signature fundraising event, coming up on March 10th.

January 2023

ACG Detroit Sponsor, Plante Moran is being recognized for their Support of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan — which provides households with access to sufficient, nutritious food and related resources. Plante Moran's PM Cares and healthcare reimbursement teams recently volunteered at a Gleaners distribution center, helping serve 65 families more than 100 pounds of food. In addition, the Plante Moran team hosted a food drive, asking staff to bring in nonperishable items or purchase food online.

December 2022

ACG Detroit was proud to feature Elizabeth's Courage Fund as the beneficiary of our Kimble Bells holiday charity event. Member Chris Sheeren's daughter Claire founded Elizabeth's Courage Fund (ECF) in honor of her sister, Elizabeth, a long-time patient at Mott Children's Hospital. The Sheerens & ECF host an annual Run, Walk 'n' Roll 5K to raise money for CS Mott’s Palliative Care Group, to provide life-changing comfort & care to patients with chronic and/or terminal diseases, helping to improve their quality of life.

November 2022

This month, ACG Cares highlights ACG Detroit Past President Doug LaLone and his wife Catherine for their involvement with Humble Design. As a local non-profit organization, Humble Design helps families transitioning out of homeless shelters by providing furnishings and design services — turning an empty house into a welcoming home. In November, Doug and Catherine, along with ACG Detroit Past President Christopher T.R. Letts and ACG Detroit Executive Director Maureen O'Reilly, had the opportunity to make a house into a home for a family of 8, just in time for Thanksgiving.

October 2022

ACG Cares would like to bring attention to ACG Detroit sponsor, Clayton & McKervey for their support of two local nonprofit organizations—Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and Judson Center.
By volunteering at Gleaners, Clayton & McKervey staff members have helped pack over 12,000 pounds of food for families across Metro Detroit. In addition, Clayton & McKervey has also donated over $1,300 in calculators to the Judson Center—helping provide children with the tools they need for academic success.

August 2022

ACG Cares is proud to feature Kurt Harvey, President of ACG Detroit, who also serves as Chair of the Transracial Journeys (TRJ) Board of Directors. Transracial Journeys is a social and educational organization designed to provide practical tools and support for families experiencing transracial adoption.