On hand for the October 2 golf outing for the Shades of Pink Foundation were (l-r) Susan Wayde, vice president of SOPF; volunteers Jim and Susan Pontzer, whose 27-year-old son Tim was posthumously honored last year for his fund-raising efforts; Mary Pat Meyers, president of SOPF; board member Jackie Riley; and Tim Rayburn, treasurer of SOPF.
Photo by John Meiu
By Tom Kirvan
Legal News
While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Shades of Pink Foundation has become a year-round endeavor for attorney Mary Pat Meyers, president of the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to reducing “the financial stress for those undergoing breast cancer treatment in Southeast Michigan.”
Meyers, a personal injury attorney with Meyers Law PLLC in Dearborn, most recently helped spearhead the “Pars Fore Pink” golf outing on a summer-like day at Birmingham Country Club, a third annual event that raised more than $45,000 for the Shades of Pink Foundation (SOPF) October 2.
“We had 80 golfers participate in the outing and a few more attended the dinner afterward,” said Meyers, who noted the event has been held at Forest Lake Country Club and Orchard Lake Country Club in previous years. “Our major sponsors this year were MainStreet Design and Build in Birmingham as well as Metalbuilt LLC in Birmingham. We are very grateful for their support and for all those who contributed to the success of the outing.
“Shades of Pink Foundation works tirelessly year-round to support those going through breast cancer treatment, but October is a special month for us,” Meyers indicated. “Our board feels strongly that we offer multiple ways people can participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
In addition to the golf outing earlier this month, SOPF hosted a Comedy Night on October 11 at The Community House in Birmingham with comedian Tracy DeGraaf. A breast cancer survivor, DeGraaf is regarded as one of Chicago’s finest female comedians and speakers, according to Meyers. The second annual event honored “social workers, nurses, nurse navigators, office managers, and other key individuals that help identify and assist breast cancer patients in need,” Meyers said.
Next spring, the SOPF will hold its 18th annual Zoo Walk on April 27 at the Detroit Zoo.
“This is our signature event,” said Meyers. “We had over 1,600 walkers in attendance in 2023, and we’re hoping to exceed 2,000 in 2024. You can register individually or as a team. The concept is to raise funds and awareness, bringing together patients, caregivers, survivors and thrivers, and friends, colleagues, and family in support of the cause.
“We are presently seeking major sponsors to grow the event to exceed net proceeds over $750,000,” she added. “We have a goal of distributing over $1 million annually by the end of 2025. The need is definitely there.”
Next fall, the SOPF will host its third annual “Nine, Wine and Dine” golf event at Lincoln Hills Golf Course in Birmingham. The women-only event is a “really fun golf outing” to be held on an as yet to be determined date in September, she said.
In 2022, the SOPF distributed more than $283,000 to breast cancer patients in need, a 47 percent increase over 2021.
“With events like these, the foundation hopes to continue to cover every day living expenses for more individuals in 2023 and beyond,” said Meyers, who noted that more than 1,000 individuals and their families have been helped since SOPF was founded in 2005. “Our largest donor this year is the A.A. Van Elslander Foundation at $100,000.”
Meyers, who recently marked her 40th year in the law, has an impressive history of community service and was one of the founding board members of Impact100 of Oakland County, an organization of women who share a vision of “making a big difference in Oakland County through large-scale charitable giving.” Since its founding in 2015, the local chapter has awarded more than $1 million to nonprofits serving Oakland County, targeting needs in the health, education, environmental protection, and social service areas.
For now, however, Meyers has primarily focused her volunteer work on taking SOPF to the “next level” in making an impact.
“We cover the nine counties of Southeast Michigan, so all donation dollars stay local,” said Meyers. “We have grown to a 14-member working board. We can always use the talents of those interested in development, marketing, and grant writing.”
To learn more about SOPF, visit www.shadesofpinkfoundation.org.
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