Matthew Kulacki

from Real Producers of Wayne County June 2021

by Real Producers of Oakland County/ Wayne County/ Grand Rapids

Erik Wright

Elevating a Passion for Giving Back

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jermaine Buie with Perfect Light, LLC

Photos taken at Toll Brothers - Reserve at West Bloomfield

Matthew Kulacki firmly believes if you have influence in this world — no matter how big or small — you should use it to do something positive. As a native from the Livonia area — and years as a bartender, real estate agent and philanthropist — Matthew’s sphere of influence reaches a vast, diverse and benevolent audience.

Matthew’s opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others presented itself five years ago when he was asked to bartend at a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event. Once he saw the impact the organization was having on everyone involved, he knew he had to become a part of it. “As a bartender, I meet so many people from all different walks of life,” Matthew said. “The volunteer groups at St. Baldrick’s are some of those people. Good people.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer- and donor-powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and giving survivors long and healthy lives. By working closely with leading pediatric oncologists, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation determines the best research to make the greatest impact for children with cancer and takes great care with every donor dollar, keeping the staff small, the expenses low and directing every possible dollar to childhood cancer research. The goal is to one day put a stop to childhood cancer.

To raise funds, the organization hosts a series of head-shaving events in and around the community. When Matthew attended his first event, Robb Drzewicki was the Volunteer Event Organizer (VEO). Since then, Robb and Matthew have become great friends, and Matthew has since become Robb’s successor.

“Five years ago, I volunteered at my first event and was hooked,” Matthew recalled. “My participation has grown where I am now in the lead organizer role, overseeing our Metro Detroit chapter.”

Matthew said his volunteer work with St. Baldrick’s is fuel for his soul. “As a father, husband and full-time real estate agent, I don’t have an abundance of free time to spread around,” he explained. “But I know that there are people out there who need help — my help. And in doing so, these events make me feel proud. Actually, they make me feel fantastic! But most of all, I am humbled to be a part of it.”

Typically, the foundation sets up a series of satellite events to promote the main event where everyone’s head is shaved. For years, they kick off the event season with a Bloody Mary Contest in January at the Plymouth ROC bar. This was traditionally followed by a Day at the Arcade event in February at the 1up Arcade Bar in Farmington. In April, there is a Bartender Flair Show at Slingers Bar and Grill, which is the precursor to the main event in May. In 2020, however, they had to cancel their third event and postpone the main event until the end of August where they could host a safe and sanitary outdoor event. This year’s event season raised nearly $140,000.

While the foundation’s most successful event was in 2017 when they raised $142,000 and shaved over 100 heads, their biggest success was in 2020. “Beyond the impressive funds we raised during a pandemic, we watched volunteers get creative,” Matthew said proudly. “We had virtual live-shave events on Facebook and threw together a safe, sanitary outdoor event in the parking lot at the One Under Craft Bar + Eats. I am most proud of the efforts of everyone this year.”

As a real estate agent at Keller Williams - Matthew Kulacki Real Estate Group, Matthew receives an outpouring of support from his peers, colleagues and the city of Livonia. “My office engages in all of my wild fundraising ideas,” he said. “This year, our team of agents purchased a large YETI cooler and filled it with bottles of liquor and libations for our annual raffle; we raised almost $3,000.”

“I am extremely proud of my participation in this amazing cause,” Matthew said. “In my first year, I volunteered as a guest bartender and raised $1,000. The following year, I signed up to shave my head and raised $2,500, and this past year, my team raised $19,371. My goal for myself this year is to personally raise $10,000 and $25,000 for my team.”

Matthew’s immediate target for this year’s “Million Dollar March” is to bring their running event total to a million dollars. “Ten years ago, we raised $10,000,” Matthew shared. “Since that time, we have raised just over $800,000. Our hope for this year is to hit that million-dollar mark!”

Real estate is an industry that allows Matthew the flexibility to manage his schedule and time, and therefore, can dedicate an equal balance of time to his clients, the community and other organizations. “I’m so grateful to have the ability to decide how busy I want to be,” he said. “One of my true passions is giving back — that’s why I give a portion of my commissions to charity every year. Additionally, my team’s motto ‘The Group That Gives Back’ is not just something we say: It’s a way of life and how I run my business.”

Matthew hopes to be remembered as “the guy who did all the charity stuff” while inspiring others to do the same. “Giving back is my passion, and I hope it fuels others to find an organization that they can be passionate about as well,” he said. “Be a champion of your community, live local and honestly care about your community.”