Classmate Kevin Grooms Needs Your Help!

Kevin Grooms, our 1985 classmate who has mostly lived in Charlotte since graduation, has asked for help from his fellow Richmond Raiders. He is sponsoring a child in Central America and is getting close to his fundraising goal that will help build a home for the child and family. To learn more details, go to the Children International page found on Kevin's website link here at this link:

http://www.firstgiving.com/gerardoshouse

Here is what Kevin sent me in an email:

I have something neat I'd like to tell you about. For the past 8.5 years, I have sponsored a kid in Central America through a great non-profit in Kansas City, MO by the name of Children International. My kid's name is Gerardo; he's 17 now. I actually went to visit/meet him at the end of January. I was in Panama first, then went on to Honduras to be with Gerardo. I am now in the process of raising money to build him and his family a simple home with their own parcel of land. If you get a chance, take a look at the link to my fundraising page below. A contribution would be tax deductible. Feel free to consider donating,... but also, feel free to pass this along to my classmates.

Through your kind, small contributions Kevin will reach the goal. If you are inclined, then please help or spread the word to those who are. Thanks!

If you want to contact Kevin directly, his email address is KLGinCLT@yahoo.com.

One Year Ago: Reunion Committee Starts Meeting

It is hard to believe that one year ago our Class of 1985 had its first formal planning meeting relating to our 25-year reunion. Though many emails and calls and letters had already started to go out - and many more would follow later in the subsequent months to classmates hither and yon - the interest is now beginning to grow by the week as the big weekend approaches.

Coincidentally, as we conducted the first formal in-person meeting it came over the speakers at Hudson Brothers Deli that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, had died in California. Shocking, unexpected news it was.

Just as it hard to believe it's been 25 years since our high school graduation, and already a year since the planning committee started its official work, it is equally hard to imagine that the man who made "the Moonwalk" famous is gone.

I assure you that among the many 80s songs played during our reunion dance you will find a good sampling of Michael Jackson's work.

Reunion Update and Good News!

As we've done at our other class reunions, we will have a casual picnic in Rockingham on Saturday midday, Aug 7. More details in the letter going out to classmates approx July 4.We have only a handful of rooms left in our Richmond Raider Class of 1985 block at the hotel. After June 27 the remaining rooms are let go.

As for the dinner at historic Pinehurst Hotel, we've persuaded officials to keep the price at $80 per person. Remember that includes a nice seated dinner, photographs and your own copy of a memory book for your attendance at the reunion, and the cost of the dance and door prizes. More special details on the dance in the July 4th mailing.

And, remember, you can register and pay securely online with your credit card/debit card by going to www.richmondraiders1985.blogspot.com, which is here on the home page of this website/blog.

Don't miss the best reunion we've ever had!

Reunion Planning Committee Meets June 7: Your Help Needed

The Reunion Planning Committee for the RSHS Class of 1985 will meet at 6 pm on Mon., June 7 at Hudson Brothers Deli in Rockingham.

Only two months remain until the Aug 7th reunion! For more details, http://richmondraiders1985.blogspot.com/ or call Wayne Goodwin, 910-997-1301. Help us get the word out to classmates as we celebrate 25 years.

Postcard Reminder Goes Out This Week; Excitement Building

After this week's very productive meeting of the reunion planning committee, classmates who have provided us their current mailing address will receive a postcard reminder about the Reunion Gala and the registration deadlines.

The text reads like this:

REMINDER: 25-YEARS CLASS REUNION
Richmond Raiders Class of ‘85

Aug 7, 2010 / Historic Pinehurst Hotel, Pinehurst NC

If you haven’t registered, it’s NOT too late!

Go to http://richmondraiders1985.blogspot.com/
or call (910) 997-1301 or email gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com.

Registration: $80/person (until June 30),
payable to “RSHS 1985 Reunion Committee”

Late registration: $100/person (after June 30)

Registration includes elegant seated dinner, live DJ, dancing, photos, etc. Hotel rooms also available. Ask for “Richmond ‘85 Reunion block”.

Don’t Miss Our Best Party Ever!

* * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, many thanks go out to Curtis Ingram, Karen Strong Allen, Misty Britton Barnes, Marcella McDonald, Sharon Gibson Gardner, and Kim Payne LeBerth for their help this week. In previous meetings over the last year we've had the terrific assistance of Gus Bellamy, Gina Goodman Burgin, Kirby Woodward, Missy McNeill, Bobby Mabe, and others.

Reunion Planning Committee Next Meets Monday, May 10

You are invited to attend our next meeting of our Class of '85 Reunion Planning Committee. It will be this coming Monday, between 6 and 8 pm, May 10th, at Hudson Brothers Deli in Rockingham.

For details or questions, please call (910) 997-1301 or email gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com, or reply to this blogpost or our Facebook page.

We Need Updated Addresses for These Classmates, Part 2

Betty Black Wilkerson
Tina Brigman Melton
Kevin Butler
Hugh Campbell
Audrey Fifer Eaton
Glenn Hall
James M. Hall
Dawn Neal Hatcher
Yvette Johnson
Missy McNeill Collins
Scott Medlin
Ray Poole
Craig Rainwater
Malynda Scholl Campbell
Susan Sweatt
Tammy Thompson

Please let me know the recent mailing address or email address you have for the above persons, or any other helpful information that will help us track down our classmates (whether on the list above or not)! Also look at some additional names by clicking here at this link ... I anticipate that there will be additional names added as returned/unforwardable/unreceived letters come back to the Post Office. ... The mailing list from which we're working dates back to at least 2005, so we expect updates are needed as folks have moved around, changed jobs, married or re-married, etc. ... Stay tuned to this developing list.