by Kelly Rogge
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Endowment Association is in the planning stages for its first gala event this fall. One piece of the puzzle is already in place in the form of a Presenting Sponsor.
AT&T has committed $13,000 to the Endowment Association’s scholarship fund, and will be recognized as the Presenting Sponsor at the 4.0 Gala on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Lake Quivira. Patrick McCartney, executive director of the Endowment Association, said the commitment is a big step in the planning process.
“They (AT&T) really stepped up to help us,” he said. “This is the first time the college has ever done an event like this before. This signifies to the community this is a major event and will allow us to get other corporate supporters to step up and join us.”
Mike Scott, vice president-external affairs of AT&T Kansas, said AT&T wanted to become involved with the Endowment Association’s gala because supporting education is a major focus for the company. He said AT&T seeks to help students succeed not only in school, but in the workforce and in life.
“AT&T has been involved with KCKCC on a variety of initiatives because they help create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs, which strengthens Kansas communities as well as our company,” Scott said. “At AT&T, our company has long held this core value – we do not simply support our communities. We are members of them, too. That’s why for more than a century we have helped shape those communities in countless ways – from our investment in our networks to our local philanthropic contributions and volunteer efforts.”
In addition to AT&T, Capitol Federal has signed on as a $10,000 sponsor. 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. In addition to a dinner, there will be a live and silent action and the Wyandotte Countian of the Year and a Distinguished Alumni Award will also be given.
“We hope to continue this event and grow it into a major fundraiser for KCKCC,” he said.
AT&T is also serving as the Title Sponsor for the KCKCC Endowment Association’s Scholarship Scramble. The scramble is June 19 at the Painted Hills Golf Course, 7101 Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kan. The fee is $150 per player or $600 for a four person team. Pricing includes 18 holes of golf, lunch and dinner, two drink tickets, a goodie bag, $10 pro shop gift card and a Longest Drive and Putting Contest. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information about sponsorships or to register, contact Dawanna Fangohr at 913-288-7641 or by email at dfangohr@kckcc.edu.
“For many years, AT&T has proudly supported a wide variety of program and projects at KCKCC. Like AT&T’s $10,000 contribution in 2011 to support scholarships for students enrolled in Adult Education Program, these initiatives are all part of AT&T’s long-standing commitment to education,” Scott said. “AT&T will continue to support education in a myriad of ways. By continuing to work together, we can make an exponential impact on education.”
