06/27/2016
The AHS Reunion Festival 96’, and all of its volunteers are devastated by the loss of lives, homes and livelihood caused by the Flood of 2016. The damage and destruction is in our backyards and it cannot be ignored. A lot of local people, including AHS alumni Scarlet Pendelton Nicely, (Class of 96’) and Jim Kern (Class of 94’) have hit the ground running and have been directly involved in assisting those in need during this time. There are many local organizations and churches that have formed collectives and developed strategies that expedite the delivery of donated goods and best utilize the resources and monies being donated.
With that said, there has been a lot of talk and suggestion about what the AHS Reunion Festival can do as a group. As stated, we plan to donate ALL PROCEEDS toward a relief fund or charity that will benefit our families locally, and our neighbors to the west of us.
In the meantime, here are some facts: The AHS Reunion Festival does not currently have enough money to cover expenses. The parties involved that are planning, hosting, and volunteering to make this event possible are digging deep from their personal pockets and will continue to do so to ensure that our inaugural event happens successfully. In order for there to be a profit, we need to sell more tickets. We are aware of many alumni that will be making ticket purchases over the next three weeks, and it is our hope that as tickets are purchased, budgets will be met, and profits will be made. For those of you that have been vocal about not wanting to attend the reunion, we empathize with you and encourage you to take the money that you would have otherwise spent and donate it toward the relief fund of your choice. We also encourage those wishing to donate toward the reunion to instead apply these monies toward a relief fund or charitable organization of choice. We can all do our individual parts to help during this time of need by tithing of our time, talents and whatever funds we have within our means to give. Let your hearts guide you and your passion fuel you.
Due to an outpouring of love, appreciation and concern for this reunion, the AHS Reunion Festival 96' will carry on as intended and will continue to sell tickets for this event. We will do our best to make this a joyful and memorable experience for all that wish to attend. It was with you that we experienced almost every rite of passage in and out of childhood, and we love you and cannot wait to reunite!
For those of you locally that wish to volunteer time in helping to create a separate event such as a benefit concert, please contact us directly ASAP: [email protected]. I will keep everyone abreast via Facebook regarding how many people are interested and when the first meeting will take place.
UPDATE FOR ATTENDEES: Our caterer is a lovely, local business based out of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. We have contacted them to find out if they are safe, if their families are safe, and whether or not their business is still intact. We have not heard back from them yet. It may be too late to lock down a new caterer, and we may be purchasing and cooking food for the upcoming event ourselves. We will keep everyone abreast as events unfold. In the meantime, please keep the kind folks at Mason Jar Catering in your thoughts and prayers.
