Buy a chance, get a chance to win one of 25 cash prizes and give Riverside-Brookfield High School students and staff an opportunity to apply for educational grants.

Once again, the Riverside-Brookfield Educational Foundation will host its annual “telethon extravaganza” fundraiser on Saturday, April 9 from 5 to 9 p.m. on RBTV.

This year, the telethon will be a smaller-scale production than some of the all-day broadcasts in the past, according to RBEF President Dave Monti.

During the four-hour live broadcast viewers can watch interviews with former grant recipients, RBHS student performers and the drawings for the cash prizes. Live entertainment this year from 7 to 9 p.m. will feature The Redmonds, the popular Chicago area band featuring RBHS grad Katie Hull Redmond, who will be performing live in the school auditorium.  In addition, student performers have been assembled by music teacher James Baum. 

The entire broadcast, of course, is under the direction of Gary Prokes along with his production team of students and former students, who assist with the program.

The RBEF has been in existence over 30 years and with the exception of a hiatus for a few years was reestablished in the year 2000. Its board of trustees (full disclosure, I am on the RBEF board) consists of volunteers, many of them former students, parents or staff. 

It is their mission to continue to provide opportunities to students and staff through fundraising. The RBEF board reviews and approves grant applications, allowing many students a chance to take deep dives into subjects of interest to them and which possibly direct them to future learning.

Raffle tickets are available for $20 at Aunt Diana’s Old Fashioned Fudge, 29 E. Burlington St. in Riverside, and Mary’s Morning Mix-up, 9110 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield. Also look for ticket sellers at Tischler Finer Foods, 9118 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield, and Riverside Foods, 48 E. Burlington St. We hope you will support these businesses who have so readily supported the foundation.

This is your chance to buy a chance, take a chance and give a chance for an educational opportunity. Further information may be obtained by contacting Dave Monti at RBHS at 708 442-7500.