Alton High School's Marching 100 to Offer Button Day Fundraiser
Marching 100 musicians will be outside Duke Bakery, Mister Donut and Joe K’s on Sept. 12, 2026, as the Alton High School band program reconnects with the community.
ALTON/GODFREY - Students with Alton High School’s Marching 100 will be out in the community playing their instruments and asking for donations.
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On Saturday morning, Sept. 12, 2026, musicians will be outside Duke Bakery, Mister Donut and Joe K’s, and anyone who donates to the band program will receive a button. The goal, explained Band Director Matt Chesner, is to connect the Alton Community Unit School District #11 music program with the community and to raise money for the students.
“Having a strong connection with our community is really important to us,” Chesner said. “We want everybody to come and have our band program be a pillar of the community and have a lot of support from everybody in the community.”
The Button Day fundraiser was once a Marching 100 tradition, and Chesner and his team decided to restart the fundraiser after 10 years. Anyone who donates on Saturday will receive a button. The money raised will help fund the band program, from uniforms to music arrangements.
But the deeper goal, Chesner said, is to get the students into the community. He wants the musicians to connect with community members and show what they have been learning.
Studies have shown the benefits of music education and learning an instrument for young people, and Chesner believes his musicians have gained a lot from getting involved in the Marching 100. He is proud of them for their dedication to the craft. He hopes the Button Day fundraiser calls attention to their hard work.
“We think that there is a tremendous benefit to being part of an organization that is larger than yourself,” he said. “We’re all rowing in the same direction, we are all focused on the success of the group rather than the success of the individual. Learning that type of communication, that type of cohesion, is really valuable, and we want to get people out to support the students in all that work.”
Chesner also encourages the community to support the program by attending football games and band competitions. He noted that the audience participation during the first home game of the football season was a lot of fun, and it encouraged the musicians to continue putting their all into the halftime show.
“We love performing for a large audience. One of the traditions for the crowd to do is to yell ‘Go 100’ as we are coming onto the field and getting ready to start our show,” he said. “Performing for a receptive audience who is excited to see you brings energy to the ensemble, and you’re going to get a great product back if they know that you’re excited to see them. We would love to see as many community members as possible.”
You can support the Marching 100 on Sept. 12, 2026, by stopping by one of the locations, chatting with students, and making a donation. Chesner and his musicians look forward to a great day.
This featured article is sponsored by the Alton Community Unit School District #11. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
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