Kemp Klein was honored by Common Ground with the Kay White Legacy Award at the Celebration of Hope Gala. Ralph Castelli, CEO Emeritus, accepted the award on behalf of the firm.

The Kay White Legacy Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership and commitment embody Common Ground’s mission to help move people from crisis to hope. Recipients demonstrate exceptional dedication through leadership, business expertise, volunteerism, and community engagement.

Common Ground is a nonprofit organization based in Michigan that provides critical crisis intervention and support services to individuals and families in need. The organization operates a 24-hour crisis and resource helpline, a crisis residential unit, and a wide range of programs offering mental health support, shelter, victim assistance, and youth services. Common Ground is also a key partner in the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, ensuring that Michiganders have immediate access to compassionate, life-saving help whenever they need it.

Kemp Klein is proud to be a Legacy Society Benefactor and an active member of Common Ground’s Circle of Hope. To date, the Kemp Klein Foundation has contributed more than $200,000 in pro bono legal services to support Common Ground’s vital work. In addition to our legal and financial support, we have partnered on several community initiatives, including the Adopt-A-Family program, The Ride 2 End Suicide, and multiple blanket-making and volunteer events that benefit individuals and families in need.

In his remarks at the event, Mr. Castelli shared, “We look forward to continuing our relationship with Common Ground as it continues to provide much-needed services to those in crisis. In two more years, that relationship will hit the 20-year mark.”

We are deeply grateful for this recognition and remain committed to supporting Common Ground’s mission of compassion, hope, and community service.

For more information on the Common Ground: https://commongroundhelps.org

The 36th annual Ex Libris fundraising dinner will celebrate literacy and the accomplishments of students and Oakland Literacy Council volunteers.

The 2025 Ex Libris Keynote Speaker is Rob Edwards who has written two classic animated films for Walt Disney Feature Animation: the Academy Award, and Golden Globe-nominated THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and the Academy Award-nominated TREASURE PLANET. In 2025, he has had three films release on the big screen, including Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, SNEAKS, and the THE KING OF KINGS. Edwards’ extensive film credits also include consulting on TANGLED, WRECK-IT RALPH, and FROZEN. He is a 20-year veteran of television, where he wrote and produced several television shows, including THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, FULL HOUSE, A DIFFERENT WORLD, STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, ROC, and IN LIVING COLOR.

Kemp Klein is an Epic Sponsor of the event. We believe literacy is vital, and in alignment with that belief, the Kemp Klein Foundation has supported Oakland Literacy Council for 31 years. To learn more about the Kemp Klein Foundation: https://kkue.com/kemp-klein-foundation

The event takes place October 23, 2025 at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Cocktails are at 5:30 and Dinner is at 6:30.

To purchase tickets and for more information about the event: https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/exlibris2025

The 2025 Celebration of Hope Gala is Common Ground’s annual fundraiser that supports their mission of helping people move from crisis to hope. 

Kemp Klein is Table Sponsor of the 2025 Celebration of Hope Gala through our Resiliency Partnership. Kemp Klein is a proud Legacy Society Benefactor for Common Ground and current member of their Circle of Hope. We have provided in excess of $200,000 in pro bono work to Common Ground. In addition to the pro bono work and financial contributions, we have hosted joint events for staff and clients of Common Ground, participated in Common Ground’s Adopt-A-Family initiative, sponsored The Ride 2 End Suicide, and we have held blanket making and other events to help those in need.

This year, two Common Ground advocates will be honored with the Kay White Legacy Award; Gary Dembs (Common Ground ambassador and Advisory Board member), and Kemp Klein (long-time supporter of Common Ground services in several capacities). The Kay White Legacy Award recognizes dedication and leadership to Common Ground and its mission to help move people from crisis to hope. Honorees embody the selfless commitment and inspirational spirit, in one or more of the following areas: leadership, business savvy, fundraising, volunteerism, and recruitment.

The Gala will shine with warmth, elegance, and the energy of like-minded supporters, sponsors and guests. Attendees will celebrate what has been accomplished and what is yet to come with fine dining, music, silent auction, and a program highlighting Common Ground’s mission of helping people move from Crisis to Hope.  

The Celebration of Hope Gala takes place on October 24th, 2025.

Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive, Rochester, MI 48307

6:30pm – 9:30pm

Click here for information and registration: https://commongroundhelps.org/event/celebration-of-hope

For more information on the Common Ground: https://commongroundhelps.org

The 2025 Ride 2 End Suicide is the 10th annual bicycle ride fundraiser to raise money for suicide awareness, prevention, education and community support.

This ride brings together survivors of suicide loss, their families and friends, mental health advocates, and local biking enthusiasts. It’s an opportunity to move for something that matters! Whether you ride for mental well-being, recovery, in memory of a loved one, or general support, the outcome is the same – to come together as a community to be there for one another and raise money for life saving suicide prevention programs.

Kemp Klein is the Finish Line Sponsor of the 2025 Ride 2 End Suicide through our Resiliency Partnership. Kemp Klein is a proud Legacy Society Benefactor for Common Ground and current member of their Circle of Hope. We have provided in excess of $200,000 in pro bono work to Common Ground. In addition to the pro bono work and financial contributions, we have hosted joint events for staff and clients of Common Ground, participated in Common Ground’s Adopt-A-Family initiative and we have held blanket making and other events to help those in need.

The Ride 2 End Suicide takes place May 17, 2025

Macomb Orchard Trail – Stony Creek Metropark (Up to 14 miles)

Wheels down at 10am

Click here for information and registration: https://ride2endsuicide.com

For more information on the Common Ground: https://commongroundhelps.org

The Zoo-de-Mackinac is a collection of outdoor enthusiasts (2,500-4,000) who want to enjoy a little physical exercise together in one of the most beautiful areas in the state of Michigan. The bike ride starts Saturday morning at The Highlands Resort (Formerly Boyne Highlands) and spans 51 miles along Lake Michigan on a paved road with very little automobile traffic. Riders pedal through rolling countryside and trillium covered forests, along sandy beaches, and are surrounded by breathtaking views of Lake Michigan from 400′ high bluffs. The ride continues on to Mackinaw City, where Arnold Transit Ferry (purchased additionally during registration) will take riders over to Mackinac Island for more festivities 

From May 16-18, 2025, Team Marine Pollution Control will ride past breathtaking vistas of Lake Michigan as it raises funds for a clean water future right here in Metro Detroit with Friends of the Rouge. 

Brian Jenney is a silver sponsor of the MPC Riding Team. His sponsorship empowers area residents to plant trees; monitor frog, toad, fish & bugs; participate in hands-on science at the river, build land & water trails; experience river recreation; create new rain gardens; and plant new wildlife habitat. All for cleaner air, less flooding, and a cleaner Rouge River. 

For more information on this cause and how to donate: https://therouge.org

For more information on the Zoo-de-mack: https://zoo-de-mack.com

Kemp Klein was an Event Sponsor of the Impact100 Oakland County 2024 Grant Awards Ceremony. Three organizations who have been making a difference in Oakland County were each awarded $97,333 grants at the event. The three organizations who were awarded grants were Hope Against Trafficking, Hospitality House Food Pantry and CARE House of Oakland County. 

The 2024 Impact100 Oakland County Annual Grant Awards Ceremony took place on November 7th, 2024 at the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale, MI.

For more information on Impact100 Oakland County please visit: impact100oaklandcounty.org

The LIVE OUT LOUD Memorial Bike Ride took place in Colorado Springs, Colorado on October 19th, 2024. All trails began at the Greenland Open Space Trailhead location in Larkspur, Colorado. The event celebrates the inspiring life of Theodore “TURTLE” Wilson. Cycling was a passion of Turtle Wilson’s, and one he shared with vigor among his friends and community. TURTLE made friends around the WORLD and always strove to DO better, BE better, and to MAKE OTHERS BETTER in everything they did. 

The TURTLE Effect™ Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to empowering talented and dedicated athletes to pursue their goals. Their mission is to perpetuate Theodore “TURTLE” Wilson’s drive to help others persevere through their challenges in order to achieve their potential and to share their own gifts with confidence in a “pay it forward” manner.

For more information on The TURTLE Effect, upcoming events and to donate please visit: https://turtleeffect.org