2024 Family Reunion Information
Foster Family Reunion July 12 - 14, 2024 ~ Memphis, TN
Theme: We’re In This Love Together
We are a little less than six months out from the 44th “All in One” Foster Family Reunion, and we are so excited for you all to see what we have planned. Please see below for a schedule of events. Additionally, after the schedule of events, you will find a "Welcome to Memphis" guide which is meant to support you and your family in planning your Memphis Bound journey! You will also find our contact information at the end of the newsletter for questions and feedback. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing your beautiful faces!
FFR Memphis Committee
I’m pleased to introduce you to your Memphis Foster Family Reunion Planning Committee! I’m forever grateful for their fresh ideas and assistance. Kaysia Booze (Abram), Tiffanee Daniels (Abram), Mario Dones (Abram), Rhonda Doss (Abram), Farrah Hunter (Abram), Cliff Lowe (Abram), Lekiha Morgan (Elisha), Chanel Saunders (Eddie). We have a variety of activities planned throughout the weekend. Come enjoy good food, great family, and lots of fun as we celebrate the legacy of our ancestors. Memphis is known for music so you will see and hear music themes throughout this reunion. We are a little less than six months out from our 44th “All in One” Foster Family Reunion! We look forward to seeing you soon! May God continue to bless and keep you and yours! Rhonda Doss, Coordinator
Foster Family Reunion Resources and Contact Info
Family Reunion Website: https://www.fosterfamilyreunion.com/
FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/247965635228776
Email: FFRmemphis2024@gmail.com (General questions or feedback)
Call: 901-237-9280 (For questions regarding registration and/or payment of reunion dues. Elders or disabled family members traveling alone requiring transfer assistance, please contact us for transfer arrangements.)
Family Reunion Registration ~ Let us know you’re coming!
Please register for our Foster Family Reunion in historic Memphis, Tennessee! We want to plan for your arrival. Your registration does not include or reserve your hotel. Your registration is for your reunion dues only. Payment of dues has been extended until April 1, 2024. Please register online and pay your reunion dues using one of the options detailed below.
Family Reunion Dues | Elders 70 + $100 | Adult 18-69 $135 | Children 11 – 17 $85 | 9 & under Free
Family Fees include Friday Fish Fry, Saturday Evening Banquet, Sunday Afternoon Grill & Chill
T-Shirts & Tote Bags will be available for an additional $20/each
DUE DATE EXTENDED TO MAY 31, 2024
You have the option to register online and pay your reunion dues through one of the options listed below. If you prefer, print the registration form from the link and email it or send it in with payment. The form can also be found on the final page of the newsletter. Please don’t hesitate to contact Rhonda Doss for assistance to complete the form or for questions about payment 901-237-9280.
Payment Options
Zelle – Please use email address dueseason1619@gmail.com
Cash App – Please use email address ffrmemphis2024@gmail.com
Checks or Money Order – Make payable to: Rhonda Doss | P.O. Box 16456 Memphis, TN 38186
Hotel Information
SpringHill Suite by Marriot Memphis Downtown | 85 West Court Avenue. Memphis, TN 38103 | Phone: (901) 522.2100
$169/night | Daily Parking: $29
Hotel Amenities:
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor pool
Complimentary breakfast
In-door Fitness Facility
Trolley line hotel, 5 blocks to Beale St. All-suite Hotel
Please Note: Apart from Sunday worship service and the Sunday cookout, all hosted reunion activities will be held at the SpringHill Suites in downtown Memphis.
The family rate is $169/night. The rate is available before and after the hosted dates. Use the link below to receive our special rate or call the hotel and ask for the Foster Family Reunion group rate. In order to receive the “Foster Family Reunion” negotiated rate, we recommend confirming your room no later than June 7, 2024.
Please note, the link contains our host hotel, the SpringHill Suites, as well as a limited number of rooms at neighboring properties, Courtyard and Moxy Hotel, for overflow needs.
Extend your stay in Memphis and make it a reunion and vacation! Our group rate is available at the Springhill Suites from Thursday, July 11 – Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Transportation Options at Memphis International Airport (MEM)– 12 miles away
Aircraft carriers include: Allegiant, American Airline, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airline, Southern Airways Express, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Vacation Express.
Rental Cars are provided by Alamo, Thrifty Car Rental, Avis, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, National Car Rental and Payless Car Rental.
The Springhill Suites does not offer airport transportation to the host hotel. Elders traveling alone or disabled travelers requiring transfer assistance, please contact - Rhonda Doss (901) 237-9280. Here’s a list of public and private ground transportation providers in the Memphis area. Uber, Lyft and Turo are also available in Memphis, TN. https://flymemphis.com/ground-transportation/
The Planning Committee has made some great plans for you in historic Memphis, Tennessee! Thank you to our family members that have already sent in their registration information!
Friday, July 12, 2024 ~ Welcome Reception, Registration & Dinner
SpringHill Suites Downtown Memphis Hospitality Suite | 3p - 9pm (Dinner from 6PM – 8PM)
Welcome to Memphis! Relax in your hospitality suite and reconnect with family members while enjoying refreshments and games available for your use in the hospitality suite.
Foster Family Reunion Registration and pick up your tote bag and/or t-shirt(s)
Register for Friday night karaoke
Heritage Hub - add your leaf to the Foster Family Reunion family tree.
Foster Family Fusion - Please share a treasured family recipe! We will be adding them all to one book for the whole family to enjoy. Ideally, we will also have an online option for viewing as well. You may also email the recipes to ffrmemphis2024@gmail.com
Bingo Tournament with prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners | 6:15PM – 7:15PM
Foster Family friendly Karaoke | 7:30PM – 9PM
Saturday, July 13, 2024 ~ Historical Bus Tour & Banquet
Foster Family Photo | 9:45am - 10:15am
Meet in the lobby of the SpringHill Suites at 9:45AM for a family photo. Please wear your Foster Family t-shirt at this time, if you have one.
The Epicenter of Civil Right Tour | 10:30am - 2pm
**Please meet in the lobby at 10:15am for bus departure
Civil Rights Museum
I AM a MAN Plaza
OR
Memphis Soul, Blues & Rock & Roll Tour | 10:30am - 2pm
**Please meet in the lobby at 10:15am for bus departure
Stax Museum Tour
OR
Southland Casino Hotel | 10:30am - 2pm
**Please meet in the lobby at 10:15am for bus departure
Southland Casino
**Bus Tours are optional, and not included in registration dues. Individuals will be responsible for paying for their tickets and lunch. The FFR Committee will work to provide discounted ticket options. Transportation will be provided, and bottled water will be available on the shuttles. If you choose not to do a bus tour, please see the Welcome to Memphis list for more activities!
OR
Finding Downtown Delights Scavenger Hunt | 10:30am - 2pm
We will have a Foster Family Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Memphis!
Living Our Ancestors Wildest Dreams Banquet | 5pm - 9pm
Full schedule of banquet events to come in the following months. Banquet will include dinner, family history, scholarship awards, talent show, photo booth, live Dj and more!
Sunday, July 14, 2024, ~ Worship Service & Chill / Grill
Worship | 11a - 1p
Join us for worship at The Healing Cathedral Christian Church! Transportation will be provided, if needed.
Chill & Grill | 2p - 5:30p
Join us for food, laughs and farewells Sunday afternoon. Food and drinks will be provided. Location to be announced shortly. Transportation will be provided, if needed.
Welcome to Memphis
Memphis is the second largest city in Tennessee with a metro-area population of 1.3 million people. There are many activities to entertain and enlighten you in Memphis. We listed several options below, but you also can visit www.memphistravel.com or https://choose901.com/for more information.
Attractions & Entertainment
National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel—Where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. (1.3 miles to host hotel)
Stax Records Museum–-See Isaac Hayes’s gold-plated Cadillac and other memorabilia. (3.3 miles to host hotel)
Beale Street—A street known as the home of the blues. Many clubs and restaurants are located here. (0.5 mile to host hotel)
Sun Records Museum and Studios (1.4 miles to host hotel)
Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum (1.7miles to host hotel)
Blues Hall of Fame Museum - 421 S Main (1 mile to host hotel)
Memphis Zoo (4.4 miles to host hotel)
Shelby Farms Park At 4500 acres, it's one of the largest urban parks in the country. (18.8 miles to host hotel)
Big River Crossing (BRX) Nearly a mile in length, this is the longest pedestrian bridge to cross the Mississippi River. Walk, Bike or Run! The bridge connects Tennessee to Arkansas.
“I Am a Man” Plaza and Clayborn Temple—Headquarters of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike. (1 mile to host hotel)
The Peabody Memphis—Hotel known for its rooftop parties and a “Duck Parade. (0.5 mile to host hotel)
Great American Pyramid—The iconic Memphis Pyramid has been transformed into the largest wilderness-inspired Bass Pro Shops in the US. (1 mile to host hotel)
Cotton Museum - (0.3 mile to the host hotel)
Mason Temple Church of God in Christ Headquarters - Where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., gave his “Mountaintop” speech. (2.6 miles to host hotel)
Pink Palace Mansion and the Museum of Science & History (7.5 miles to host hotel)
Midtown District— Home to the award-winning Memphis Zoo, historic Overton Park, and nightlife and entertainment. (3.5 miles to host hotel)
Full Gospel Tabernacle Church—Al Green is the pastor of the church. (12 miles to host hotel)
Crystal Shrine Grotto— The only man-made crystal cave in the world. It is a treasure trove of folk art that attracts visitors from around the world. (18.5 miles to host hotel)
Graceland—Home of Elvis Presley (10 miles to host hotel)
Southland Casino (7 miles to host hotel)
Casinos in Tunica, Mississippi (30 miles to host hotel)
FedEx Forum (1 mile to host hotel)
Rock & Soul Museum (1 mile to host hotel)
HU Hotel Rooftop bar (0.2 miles to hotel hotel)
Peabody Hotel & Free Duck March Daily at 11am & 5pm (0.5 mile to host hotel)
Center for Southern Folklore 119 S. Main Memphis (1 mile to host hotel)
Old Dominick Distillery – Book a tour with complimentary tasting and a tour (1 mile to host hotel)
Shopping
Broad Avenue Arts District (6 miles to host hotel)
Mbabazi House of Style – African Boutique - 2553 Broad Ave (6 miles to host hotel)
Tanger Outlets Southaven (18.5 miles to host hotel)
Sugarplum Consignment - Women's consignment in Memphis (20 miles to host hotel)
Fox+Catvintage - Vintage consignment in Memphis (5 miles to host hotel)
The African Place 581 N 3rd Memphis - Art, clothes, books, soap, scents & more! (1.5 miles to host hotel)
Check out the Boutiques inside the Peabody Hotel (0.5 mile to host hotel)
A. Schwabs Dry Goods Store 163 Beale St - General store & Soda Fountain (1 mile)
Oak Court Mall 4465 Poplar Memphis (9 miles to host hotel)
Food & Drinks
Sage 94 S Main – Black Owned Restaurant (0.3 mile to host hotel)
Chef Tams Underground Café – Black Owned | 668 Union Ave (1 mile to host hotel)
Slim & Huskys Pizza – Black Owned – 634 Union Av (1.5 miles to host hotel)
Cozy Corner BBQ Black Owned (1.8 miles to host hotel)
Rendezvous BBQ (0.5 mile to host hotel)
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken Black Owned 310 S Front St Memphis (1 mile to host hotel)
The Four Way Grill Soul Food Black Owned (2.7 miles to host hotel)
Evelyn & Olive Jamaican Black Owned (1 mile to host hotel)
Gibson's Donuts (10 miles to host hotel)
Ching's Wings (15 miles to host hotel)
Railgarten—Unique hangout in an old rail yard with a diner, tiki bar, and many indoor & outdoor ping pong tables. Cooper Young/Midtown area (6 miles to host hotel)
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
https://choose901.com/eat-your-veggies-a-vegetarian-vegan-guide-to-memphis/
Medical Needs
24 hour Walgreens Pharmacy | 1863 Union Ave MEM 901-272-2006 | 3.6 miles to host hotel
Methodist University Hospital | 1265 Union Ave Memphis | 2.5 miles to host hotel
Walgreens Pharmacy | 2 N. Main 901-525-0036 | 0.2 miles to host hotel (Pharmacy is not 24 hrs )
