by Kelly Rogge
With only a month to go before the Kansas City Kansas Community College Endowment Association’s first-ever 4.0 Gala, final preparations are being made to make sure it is an event to remember.
“Response for the 4.0 Gala has been great,” said Patrick McCartney, executive director of the KCKCC Endowment Association. “We decided to do the 4.0 Gala to create a major fundraising event for KCKCC. The 4.0 Gala will be our biggest fundraiser, and we hope to continue growing it each year.”
The 4.0 Gala is Oct. 25 at Lake Quivira. The evening begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the program at 8 p.m. During the program, two awards will be given.
Former Unified Government Mayor Joe Reardon will receive the Wyandotte Countian of the Year, and Karen Orr, Chief Nursing Officer for Providence Medical Center will receive the KCKCC Distinguished Alumni Award. Individual tickets are $100, and the gala is black tie optional.
“We hope people will attend the 4.0 Gala for a couple reasons,” McCartney said. “First, and most importantly, the dollars raised from the gala will go to fund much needed scholarships for KCKCC students. Second, it will be a fun evening including a live and silent along with honoring former mayor Joe Reardon as the first Wyandotte Countian of the Year and Karen Orr, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Medical Center, as the first KCKCC Distinguished Alumni.”
The purpose of the Wyandotte Countian of the Year Award is to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wyandotte community. To qualify for the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award, nominees must have either attended or graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College. Nominations were made earlier this year for both awards, and the honorees were selected by a committee.
AT&T has committed to be the presenting sponsor at the 4.0 Gala. In addition to AT&T, Capitol Federal and Bank of Blue Valley have signed on as major sponsors of the event. McCartney said the gala will serve as a “major fundraising effort” for the college. He said not only will the funds raised support the college, but will directly support students through scholarship opportunities.
“The 4.0 Gala will benefit KCKCC by raising funds for much needed scholarships for our students,” McCartney said. “Over 90 percent of KCKCC students require some form of financial aid, and our scholarships help a lot of non-traditional students who probably wouldn’t be able to attend KCKCC without the Endowment’s help.”
In addition to the program and dinner, there will be a live auction with the Nigro Brothers as hosts as well as a silent auction. Among the live auction items include dinner with Kansas City Royal Hall of Famer and current T-Bones coach Frank White; a Playa del Carmen, Mexico Condo Getaway, a Proformance Golf Package and many other unique items. Silent auction items include a variety of shopping, dining and spa packages.
For more information on sponsorships, contact McCartney at 913-288-7166. For information on purchasing tickets, contact Dawanna Fangohr at 913-288-7675.