August 20, 2023
 

Hello Family,

A special thank You to Alicia Price for hosting this year’s 52nd Grier Family Reunion, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She did a fantastic job welcoming us and making us feel at home. Assisting her with the various planning details were LaNetta & Patrick, and the rest of our Ohio family. We appreciate all of you for your hardwork and commitment to making this reunion an enjoyable event for all.

On Friday, dinner was served. The menu consisted of a variety of foods and desserts: barbecue ribs, chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, green beans, salad, sub sandwiches, chips, cookies, chocolate and strawberry dessert, juices, pops, and water.  

We had our business meeting in the Hospitality Suite. Because of all the great input and feedback from the family, the meeting was much longer than normal. We elected a new Vice President, Patrick Weaver.  There is a change involving the Grier Scholarship, all scholarship donations will be received by Adrianne Weaver now.

Please continue, however, to send your scholarship donation to Valerie, along with your other fees, until Adrianne has sent an email advising how to send scholarship donations to her.

In addition, I would like to take a moment to thank the family again for all the scholarship donations.  As we all know, education truly can provide an untold number of possibilities and opportunities for our young adults.  Your constant generosity provides much- needed relief as our families take on the rising costs of education. Please know that you are making a difference in the lives of our scholars, and they appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness more than you realize.  I also thank you for honoring my sister, Joyce Weaver-Price, with your tremendous outpouring of support, as this was a cause so very important to her.  

We also had a productive discussion about our Reunion fees and the need to make an increase due to rising costs.  Please take note of our new fees:

        Ages 18 and older will now pay $200.

        Ages 12 to 17 will now pay $75.00.

        Ages 5 to 11 will now pay $40.

        Ages 4 and under are free.

In an effort to minimize costs to the family, there were also donations of more than $5,000 from Ohio. This does not include the food for Friday in the Hospitality Suite.

Throughout the year, our Regional Representatives will engage family members in an effort to increase our numbers at the Family Reunion. One such endeavor mentioned at the meeting was a fundraiser. Further details still to come. Our Regional Representatives are Barbara from Detroit, Christopher from North Carolina, Joshua from Maryland and Patrick from Ohio.
 

Saturday, we all had a delightful breakfast, and later, we went to the National Underground Freedom Center where we found out so much more about the abuse and the ultimate achievements of those held in captivity.

At the banquet, we all had a good time dancing to the music. Alicia’s good friend, Kevin, taught us a new line dance. The food was fabulous, and we all had a wonderful time visiting with family members. After the banquet, we went back to the Hospitality Suite and watched a great fight. Thank you, Patrick, for getting the fight for us.

Sunday, we had breakfast, and Kevin was the speaker. He did an absolutely amazing job! We all received his message of believing that we are good enough to be in any space, and we must never doubt God’s blessings, for we are all worthy of greatness.

Randy and Kelli will be hosting the Family Reunion next year in Detroit. Please let’s support them.

To my family in Ohio, Thank You so much for going way beyond expectations. I

Love each and every one of you!

Stanley Weaver

President