Hi, Kim -

Glad to hear your reunion was a success! Sounds like it was definitely worth the work.

As for the challenges you faced, unfortunately it's pretty par for the course. It's a shame that some people will show up and eat and know they did not pay. You and your mom shouldn't have to foot the bill entirely. If you're sending out a reunion follow-up newsletter, I'd mention that the costs exceeded the revenue. You don't have to ASK people for money, they might just volunteer to contribute a bit. Sounds like your family really enjoyed themselves and recognize how much work went into planning the event. You may not get everything, but every little bit helps.

Sounds like you faced your challenges with a cool head and stayed focused on the important thing: having a good time. Congratulations!