ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 families can support local elementary schools through a special fundraiser.
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On Sept. 30, 2026, North Elementary School and Lewis and Clark Elementary School students will participate in their annual Walk-A-Thon. Students will raise money by walking around the playground. The goal, explained Principals Lisa Harris and Latasha Leflore-Porter, is to connect the school community and engage families.
“It’s become a tradition now,” Harris said. “While it’s a fundraiser, every dollar goes back to the kids.”
Organized by the Parent-Teacher Group at North and Lewis and Clark Elementary Schools, the Walk-A-Thon encourages families and friends to pledge money to students. These sponsorships go a long way toward supporting teachers and students.
This is the only annual fundraiser sponsored by North Elementary School and Lewis and Clark Elementary School. Students have been raising money for the past few weeks. Those who reach certain fundraising goals will receive a t-shirt or sweatshirt as a thank-you.
On Sept. 30, all students will walk around their playgrounds for about 25 minutes to complete the Walk-A-Thon. The kids will receive water and a granola bar after the Walk-A-Thon to keep them energized and ready to learn.
Leflore-Porter shared that while the Walk-A-Thon aims to make money, the larger goal is about celebrating students. The district understands that not every student can raise money for their schools, so they work hard to ensure no one feels left out. The event is mostly a chance to foster school spirit and engage students.
“It doesn’t matter if you can bring in money for the fundraiser or not,” Leflore-Porter said. “We just want everyone feeling like they belong, and everyone understanding that we are all Redbirds. We’re just here to show up and celebrate each other.”
Families often join the Walk-A-Thon as cheerleaders. Balloons and pompoms are allowed as caregivers cheer on their children from the sidelines. The experience “makes them feel really good” and encourages students to be proud of themselves and their schools, Leflore-Porter said.
“We get to come out as a North family, and we get to cheer each other on and laugh and play,” Harris added. “It’s just so much fun to see the kids smile. It’s just another one of those special moments that our kids will remember.”
All money raised goes back to the students. The Parent-Teacher Group provides incentives for students in the form of classroom celebrations, treasure chest rewards for positive behavior, and more. The money also helps maintain playground equipment and allows the schools to offer spelling bees, math competitions and other enrichment opportunities.
As the schools gear up for the fundraiser, Leflore-Porter and Harris remind community members that they can donate to the schools at any time. They are grateful for the community’s support and the people who work so hard to engage students through the Parent-Teacher Group and other initiatives.
The schools are looking forward to the Walk-A-Thon. Both principals believe the experience will be a lot of fun for students while encouraging more connection and school pride.
“It’s just really a wonderful time,” Leflore-Porter said. “It’s just going to be great to see families and to stay connected because that’s really our big push…Just making sure that [families] know we welcome them and we appreciate all that they do for the students, and we appreciate our students and our staff.”
This featured article is sponsored by Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
