More than 200 supporters helped bring in more than $32,000 for Allen Community College scholarships Friday.
But the environment, and the support from those in attendance, proved the benefit gala was about more than raising money, noted Vince DeGrado, Allen’s new director of advancement.
Friday’s gala, held at 415, Iola’s newest event center in the former home of Bolling’s Meatery & Eatery, offered a raucous atmosphere. 
Allen choir and jazz bands performed, while Kansas City Chiefs ambassadors Danan Hughes and Chris Penn mingled with attendees. Dueling pianists also kept the crowd engaged well into the evening.
But the centerpiece was the unity shown, from corporate sponsors and their guests to individual college supporters.
“Everything exceeded my expectations and goals, from attendance and participation to seeing such an amazing group of people enjoy themselves,” said DeGrado, who gave up his coaching career in January to become the college’s chief fundraiser. “It showed me why I wanted to take this job.”
The fundraiser came together quickly, with the planning starting in mid-February. From there, he spent about 10 weeks reaching out to various groups and supporters for the live and silent auction items.
Their responses were overwhelming, with a number of big-ticket items up for bid in silent and live auctions, from memorabilia autographed by Kansas City icons like Patrick Mahomes, George Brett, Bo Jackson and Andy Reid.
Ever the perfectionist, DeGrado plans for bigger and better galas in the future.
“As great as the evening was, I have tons of room for improvement,” he said. “The future of this event is only going to grow and get much better, as is my understanding of this job and its finer details.”
As he pointed out in a short speech at the onset of the banquet, Friday’s gala put the “unity” in “community.”
“Everybody, from our sponsors and their guests, to our online silent auction bidders, went above and beyond to show their support to our community and especially to our students,” DeGrado said.
