The FriendShip Newsletter - September 2021Office InformationContact Info: 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org Regular Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Recent Program Recap & Look AheadDid you ever hear about those lazy days of summer?! Well, at The FriendShip, we haven't! Our summer has been very busy with great programs and volunteers helping members. In the last month, we especially enjoyed the "Spiritual Flourishing" program with Reverend Beasley and Rabbi Case (pictured above with member/volunteer Jane Blair); they offered insights that were both thought-provoking and empowering. (Email contact@thefriendship.org if you'd like a link to the recording of that program.) Thanks to our volunteers, we have provided more services to members in each of the last three months than in any previous month! And, now that fall is around the corner, we are excited that there will be more opportunities to connect with one another. Read below to find out what's coming up! And, please continue to stay safe out there! Events-at-a-Glance
The FriendShip is Actively Seeking New Volunteers!The FriendShip is actively seeking new volunteers! This volunteer gig has it all! It's fun, flexible, meaningful, and inspiring! There are so many ways to help out--from driving our members, to running errands, helping plan programs, and more! If there is an individual you can recruit to volunteer or a group you think would like an outreach presentation (e.g., book club, Bible study class), grab some volunteer applications from The FriendShip office to pass along and/or let the office know so we can follow up! The FriendShip's Outreach Committee and Volunteer Committee are working closely together to develop plans for this current recruitment effort and will be in touch with more specific ideas about how you can help in the coming weeks! We need all hands on deck to build our volunteer ranks and expand our reach! Covid-19 RemindersThe FriendShip now is STRONGLY encouraging that all members and volunteers who are able wear a mask, including those who are fully immunized, during indoor programs, meetings, and services (both transportation and non-transportation services). It is so very important that we all continue to be cautious given the high Covid-19 case rates in our area. While The FriendShip’s Operations Update of June 8, 2021 remains in effect, the Board of Directors is continuing to monitor the situation and will communicate any future changes as needed. Office Closed on Labor DayThe FriendShip office will be closed on Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day. Dutch Treat Lunch at the Quinine Hill Park (September 9)The Dutch Treat Lunch is back on Thursday, September 9 at noon! Let’s get outside and enjoy a picnic lunch together! If the weather permits, members and volunteers are invited to meet in Quinine Hill Park in Forest Acres, near the intersection of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard (behind the Walgreens). The park has covered picnic tables, a rubberized walking path, and plenty of parking. Last month, we ordered a sandwich tray and fruit salad from The Other Store and it was such a hit that we decided to do it again. The cost will be $8.00 per person. Please give us a "heads up" that you plan to attend by contacting The FriendShip office at 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org. RSVPs are needed by noon on Wednesday, September 8. As always, rides will be provided for members who need them. Building Your Toolbox to Help You Flourish (September 16)Join The FriendShip as we continue exploring the topic of "Flourishing" together! Our members are textbook examples of people who flourish! Yet, everyone can always benefit from a new idea or suggestion that might improve on an aspect of life, whether it be mental or physical. Jane Blair, FriendShip member and volunteer, will lead us in a discussion focusing on mental and physical tools that will allow us to modify behaviors that impede flourishing at the highest levels. We’ll meet in the dining room at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, September 16 at 2:00 p.m. Come join us and fill up your toolbox! Please let us know you are coming or if you need a ride by calling The FriendShip office at 803-602-6434 or by sending an email to contact@thefriendship.org. RSVPs would be appreciated by Tuesday, September 14. Please wear a mask! Afternoon Social Hour (September 28)At last month's Afternoon Social Hour, members, volunteers, and friends had a great time together! With the help of a boombox and YouTube, we shared songs that we find uplifting and traded stories and memories about what made the music meaningful. We listened to all kinds of wonderful songs including "The Surrey with the Fringe on the Top," "Yesterday," "My Church," "Sunshine on My Shoulders," and many more. What a lovely way to spend time together! Our next Afternoon Social Hour will be on Tuesday, September 28 at 2:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details! Local Resource of InterestThe Lourie Center will be offering another series of classes this October because "learning never retires!" Click here to read about The Lourie Lectures series which will include a range of topics from explorations of comparative religion and news media to heirloom plants and tech for seniors. Memorial TributeOne of The FriendShip's founding members and biggest supporters passed away on August 19. Sidney Wait was an incredibly talented person with strong convictions and a generous heart. She believed deeply in the work of The FriendShip, and was not only a member from the very beginning but also served as a volunteer and Board member. She did so much for our organization and for our members, from helping to develop the very foundation of the organization to interviewing new members, providing "handy person" services, teaching painting classes, and so much more. We are grateful to have known her and as we continue our work to help older adults live independently (and interdependently) with dignity, we hope to honor her memory. |