2026 Reunion

Cole & Raper Family,

We are excited to officially announce the details for the 2026 Cole & Raper Family Reunion! It’s been far too long since we’ve gathered, laughed, hugged, and celebrated our roots together. We cannot wait to see everyone this summer.

REUNION WEEKEND

·         August 7–9, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina

·         The reunion includes a Meet & Greet, Reunion Banquet, and Sunday Fellowship & Farewell as outlined in the tentative itinerary

HOST HOTEL

All reunion events will take place at the “host hotel”:

Embassy Suites Raleigh Durham / Brier Creek 

8021 Arco Corporate Drive, Raleigh, NC 27617

Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rduaces-embassy-suites-raleigh-durham-airport-brier-creek/  

Telephone: (919) 572‑2200

REUNION FEE

Reunion fees cover all official reunion events (Meet & Greet, Banquet, and Fellowship & Farewell) but do not include lodging costs. The Committee has worked hard to keep fees as low as possible. For reference, the fee for our last reunion (2021) was $125 per adult.

·         2026 Reunion Fees:

o   If payment is received by July 10:

§  $140 per adult

§  $70 per child (under 12 years old)

o   If payment is received by July 11–31:

§  $150 per adult

§  $75 per child (under 12 years old)

o   Reunion fees are not subject to taxes

·         Deadline: Payments will not be accepted after July 31 or during the Reunion

·         Acceptable Methods of Payment

o   Zelle (preferred)

§  Send payments to cole.raper.familyreunion@gmail.com

§  In the notes, list the full name of each family member covered by the payment and indicate whether they are an Adult or Child

§  Immediately after sending payment, email the Committee at cole.raper.familyreunion@gmail.com to confirm receipt

o   PayPal

§  Send payments to cole.raper.familyreunion@gmail.com

§  Note that PayPal payments are subject to a 3% transaction fee. With the transaction fee included PayPal payments are:

·         PayPal payments received by July 10:

o   $144.20 per adult

o   $72.10 per child (under 12 years old)

·         PayPal payments received by July 11–31:

o   $154.50 per adult

o   $77.25 per child (under 12 years old)

§  In the notes, list the full name of each family member covered by the payment and indicate whether they are an Adult or Child

§  Immediately after sending payment, email the Committee at cole.raper.familyreunion@gmail.com to confirm receipt

o   Money orders or certified/cashier’s checks 

§  Make payable to Amber Boddie or Renee Person

§  Mail payment to:

Amber Boddie 

1269 Witch Hazel Way

Longs, SC 29568

§  With payment include a note listing the full name of each family member covered by the payment and indicate whether they are an Adult or Child

§  Immediately after sending payment, email the Committee at cole.raper.familyreunion@gmail.com to provide notice of the mailing of the payment

o   No personal checks accepted

LODGING

·         Hotels:  A block of rooms is being held under the Cole & Raper Reunion at two Hilton hotels located side‑by‑side, sharing the same parking lot:

o   Embassy Suites

8001 Arco Corporate Dr., Raleigh, NC 27617

Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rduaces-embassy-suites-raleigh-durham-airport-brier-creek/  

Telephone: (919) 572‑2200

§  2 Queen Bed Two‑Room Suite: $229/night

§  King Two‑Room Suite: $219/night

o   Hampton Inn Brier Creek

8021 Arco Corporate Dr., Raleigh, NC 27617

Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rduanhx-hampton-suites-raleigh-durham-airport-brier-creek/

Telephone: (919) 484‑0500

§  Double Queen: $169/night

§  King Studio Suite: $179/night

·         All rooms subject to 13.25% tax

·         Reserve before July 12 for best availability

·         Ask for the Cole & Raper Room Block to obtain discounted rates

·         Embassy Suites guests enjoy:

o   Complimentary breakfast with made‑to‑order omelets

o   Daily Evening Manager’s Reception (5:30–7:00 PM) with two tickets for free drinks

·         Hampton Inn guests enjoy:

o   Complimentary breakfast buffet

o   Daily invitation to the Embassy Suites’ Evening Manager’s Reception (5:30–7:00 PM)

·         Both hotels offer:

o   Free shuttle to RDU Airport & Brier Creek

o   Free Wi‑Fi

o   Other amenities (refer to hotel website)

NEW REUNION ACTIVITY – COLE & RAPER’S GOT TALENT

We’re excited to introduce a new activity we’re considering for this year’s reunion — our own version of America’s Got Talent. It’s Cole & Raper’s Got Talent! (CRGT).

We are encouraging family members of all ages to showcase their talent. If you have a family‑appropriate talent you’d like to share, we’d love to have you participate. The family will vote, and winners will receive a monetary award.

If you’re interested in being a contestant, email the Committee at cole.raper.familyreunion@gmail.com.

SHIRTS AND BASEBALL CAPS

Reunion merchandise is on the way! Watch for the upcoming announcement about t‑shirt and baseball cap sales.

CLOSING

Remember to visit The Cole & Raper Family Website for reunion updates and family news. We encourage you to post news, suggestions, and family photos, especially those to be featured in the reunion slideshow.

You can also email questions and suggestions to the Committee at cole.raper.familyreunion@gmail.com or contact a committee member directly.

We hope you’ll be part of this special weekend. Every reunion is a chance to honor our past, celebrate our present, and strengthen the bonds that keep the Cole & Raper Family rooted, connected, and thriving.

With Love,

The 2026 Cole & Raper Family Reunion Committee

Amber Boddie (amboddie@gmail.com | 215-617-7661)

Lee “Woody” Cole (leewoodycole@gmail.com | 609-304-3484)

Nia Cole (nkec93@gmail.com | 404-275-8520)

Renee Person (rpdst10@gmail.com | 215-990-8549)

Terrell Cole (tkcole24@gmail.com | 404-931-9566)

Mishawn Cole Turner (mcturner@marketingandconsulting.com | 703-625-7955)

David Ellis (david.ellis94@yahoo.com | 571-247-3438)