Foundation builds on success of Annual Signature Event

By Tom Kirvan Legal News Patrick McCauley, now in his second stint as president of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, knows the value of a good metaphor when attempting to raise funds for the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting legal aid work and other worthwhile charitable causes in the legal community. ''One of the goals during this term of my presidency is to continue the growth of the Foundation's fund-raising capabilities and to, in essence, plant a tree even though I may never enjoy its shade,'' McCauley said. McCauley's remarks apply particularly to his efforts to help establish a ''legacy program of planned giving for the Foundation,'' although of more immediate interest is the work involved in drumming up financial support for the 13th Annual Signature Event at posh Oakland Hills Country Club on Friday, April 20. The Signature Event, which will run from 7-10 p.m. and features a strolling supper, has been in a record-setting mode of late, according to organizers. Two years ago, the fund-raiser netted more than $160,000 for the Foundation's programs, while last year it topped $188,000, McCauley indicated, noting that in 2011 the Foundation received grant requests totaling nearly $300,000. ''We are encouraged by the level of sponsorship support we have received to date,'' McCauley said during a recent interview as plans take shape for the April 20 event. ''We continue to be heartened by the generosity of the legal community and the desire to support the many programs that we help fund each year." McCauley, an attorney with Gasiorek Morgan Greco & McCauley in Farmington Hills, is in a special position to appreciate the growth of the Signature Event and the OCBF in general. He has been a longtime board member of the Bar Foundation, first serving as president in 1999-2000. In 1999, an alliance with the Oakland County Bar Association created the current OCBF organization, setting in motion the means for a greater fund-raising profile and the Signature Event of today. Those interested in purchasing tickets to the April 20 event can contact Lisa Stadig Elliot at the OCBA for more information, (248) 334-3400. Sponsorship opportunities also are still available by contacting Stadig Elliot or by visiting the OCBA website at www.ocba.org. Published: Mon, Mar 5, 2012