Our Family Reunion

Lelia Jo Cordell
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November 13, 20110 found this helpful

I like your idea, Erika. Here in the USA, most parks rent shelter houses (like lapas). That's what my family did when we had our first reunion in 10 years. My sister-in-law arranged everything with some help from one of my sisters. I liked being able to let them know via Facebook that we were coming.

Juanita

February 9, 20140 found this helpful

My family has been having a family reunion every year since I met my husband & this year will be the 40th. Every year we try to have it somewhere new (like at a park, lake or campgrounds) but lately, due to the age of most of our elders, we have been having it in a church - air conditioned, bathrooms that you don't have to walk very far to get to. The only thing we haven't done is to have it catered & this year my daughter & I decided that this is what we will do since we are in charge this time.

Every year we set out a sign-in book near the door. Everyone has to put in their names, address, & phone number. Then the next year, a month or so before the reunions date, we contact the elders to verify that the addresses are correct. We send out invitations to everyone - postage covered by the family reunion funds. In the invitations we list the date, location, & who to contact for questions. We never ask for an RSVP. We also list the events we will be having, like a moonwalk for the kids, basketball game, softball - you get the idea...

Paper plates, plastic ware, paper cups, napkins, tea, coffee & ice are supplied by the family reunion. In the invitation it always says to bring enough food to feed your own family & we have never come up short. In my family there are 24 of us all together, kids, grandkids, & a great grandbaby due next month, so our reunions can get a little large, wild & hairy...lol. Food is set on tables separate from the eating tables & is divided up by salads, meats, veggies, casseroles, desserts, etc.

The persons in charge of the reunion are the one's that, cover the tables with throw away plastic tablecloths, set up all of the eating utensils, etc., & decorate. The one's that volunteer for the next reunion are the one's that do the clean-up afterwards. It doesn't take long as most everybody joins in to help.

Almost at the end of the reunion, for the last 4 or 5 years, we have an auction to raise money for the reunion & pay the bills. The auctions usually consist of baked goods, candies, that nights supper... But last year it included handmade items like monogrammed towels, embroidered tea towels, etc. The goods are set out on a table for viewing. We have an auctioneer (who really isn't an auctioneer), & our "show me" person who takes things around & talks someone into buying it. It's really fun & we have a blast at some of the antics that our "show me" persons do & say. They are usually the clowns of the family.

After the reunion & things have been cleaned up & put away, our treasurer verify's the money & later takes it to the bank (the reunions are always held on a Saturday). Before the auctions, we put out a jar for donations but a lot of times the money came up short & the persons running the reunion that year usually had to pay for a lot of stuff that was needed. The remaining paper goods are then packed away in their storage boxes & most of us stand around & talk before we leave. Usually, my part of the family & the rest of us (a total of about 60) will congregate at my mother in laws house & eat the leftovers & enjoy some of the wonderful baked goods from the family reunion auction. We have a wonderful time & catch up with all of the siblings that sometimes this is the only time of year that we get to see them.