Putting the ‘unity’ in community

Allen Community College's Red Devil Gala, a fundraiser for students to earn scholarships to attend ACC, has brought in more than $32,000, organizers said.

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May 4, 2026 - 2:27 PM

Danan Hughes, a Kansas City Chiefs ambassador, and a member of the Chiefs radio network team, speaks to attendees at Friday's Red Devil Gala. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
A capacity crowd fills 415, Iola’s newest event center, for Friday’s Red Devil Gala.Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register

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. 

Jennyfer Gros, a member of the Allen Community College women’s basketball team, shows a Bo Jackson-autographed baseball bat during a benefit auction. The bad sold for more than $1,000, with proceeds used to fund ACC scholarships. The fundraiser’s haul has climbed to $32,000, as of Monday.Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register

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.”

Former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Chris Penn, who currently serves as a team ambassador, left, shares a lighter moment with Allen Community College Director of Advancement Vince DeGrado during Friday’s Red Devil Gala.Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register

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.

Allen Community College President Lyvier Leffler speaks at Friday’s Red Devil Gala. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Allen Community College choir members Donovan Nee, from left, O’Neal Smith IV, Carson Blevins, Natalie Goodwin and Ainsley Weiss sing at Friday’s Red Devil Gala. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Allen Community College jazz band members Ainsley Weiss, from left, Carson Blevins, Danielle Tidd, Cecille Ngunjiri and Alyssa Williams play a tune during Friday’s Red Devil Gala. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
Jennyfer Gros, a member of the Allen Community College women’s basketball team, shows a Bo Jackson-autographed baseball bat during a benefit auction. The bad sold for more than $1,000, with proceeds used to fund ACC scholarships. The fundraiser’s haul has climbed to $32,000, as of Monday. Photo by Richard Luken / Iola Register
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