Since the year 2000 when it was resurrected, the Riverside-Brookfield Educational Foundation has sought to provide educational opportunities to students and faculty.
With the inception of a telethon, broadcast by RBTV, the foundation was able to raise funds of over $25,000. Each year the RBEF Telethon has been aired under different formats, many of them live telethons featuring school talent and other groups.
The foundation is governed by a board of trustees who volunteer their time. This year’s foundation President is Dave Monti, who is also a teacher at the school. It is the board of trustees that approves the grants to applicants who filled out request forms.
Over the years, the format of the fundraiser has altered, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of viewers purchasing premium items during the live telethon, the foundation has gone to a raffle format with 25 cash prizes.
The goal is to sell 5,000 tickets, and if all are sold $5,000 will be the top prize. Tickets are available for $20 at Mary’s Morning Mix-up, 9110 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield and Aunt Diana’s Old-Fashioned Fudge, 29 E. Burlington St. in Riverside.
The date for Telethon 2023 is April 15 with talented students set to perform from 6 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium at Riverside-Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road in Riverside.
In addition to school groups, there will be a performance by a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. The group has performed locally and has a following. Admission to the auditorium is free, but donations will be accepted.
The foundation prides itself in the number of students who have benefitted from its grants. Students have attended numerous camps dealing with subjects ranging from technology to biology. The grants also have sent students out of the country to expand an interest. Students also are expected to return to school and recount their experiences and how it personally helped them.
The Telethon will be broadcast live on RBTV. For more information about the RB Educational Foundation or Telethon 2023, visit online at rbef.tv.
A shout out to Patrick Joseph, a fellow rehabber at Cantata who mentioned he wasn’t mentioned. Well, here it is Patrick, consider yourself mentioned.
Want to buy a raffle ticket?
