YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — When John and Denise York throw a party, they use the Covelli Centre, and when their party uses the word “celebrity” in the title, they bring in players from the San Francisco 49ers.

Quarterback Brock Purdy was the last of the 49ers to exit the bus outside the Covelli Centre for the 28th annual Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Scholarship Foundation Celebrity Dinner and Auction.

“Everybody in the Bay Area definitely knows about Youngstown, and they’re definitely proud of being from here. So, to be out here is an honor for me,” Purdy said. “I might have been out here before we were getting ready to play the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2019.”

Also in attendance was 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.

“We know that this obviously is where it all started, right? So, it’s good to come back and see the origins of it all,” Warner said.

Warner and Purdy were mingling among the 300 people who attended the party, where all the money raised goes to the Debartolo Foundation Scholarship fund. Food was provided by Vernon’s Cafe, Leo’s Ristorante, and Jeff Chrystal Catering, and 49ers cheerleaders greeted people as they entered.

49ers CEO and Cardinal Mooney graduate Jed York flew in for the event. His grandfather, Edward J. Debartolo, strongly supported raising money for the college scholarships.

“It’s always great to get back to Youngstown. I mean, it’s where my heart is. It’s where I grew up,” York said. “I actually have a buddy of mine — his niece was one of the recipients of the award. So, it just makes you feel old in some sense, which is okay, but it’s nice to see this kind of coming full circle and seeing the next generation come up and have an opportunity to succeed.”

In 28 years, the Debartolo Scholarship Foundation has awarded $2.2 million in scholarships. This past year, it gave out $170,000 worth.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.