The FriendShip Newsletter - February 2019Office InformationContact Info: 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org Regular Hours: The office is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m - 1 p.m. Eleanor's Hours: Eleanor staffs the office on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. Mark Your Calendars for these Upcoming Programs!The FriendShip started off 2019 with some terrific programs. A special treat in January was learning about the Biltmore Estate from Dr. John Bryan--his vast knowledge and fun stories meant that everyone in attendance wants him to come back again soon! The coming months will bring more opportunities for fun gatherings to learn and enjoy being together. Mark your calendars for all the February offerings and keep your eyes out for future announcements about what's to come! No City is by Accident: Learn What Urban Planners Do on February 12Come learn about a new topic--urban planning--from one of our newest volunteers! Urban planners develop civic plans and programs for the use of land. They use planning to create communities, accommodate growth, or revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas. In this way, they can have a long-term, though often behind-the-scenes, impact on their communities. FriendShip volunteer Jim Kimbler will draw from his own professional experiences as an urban planner in North Carolina and Florida to explain what urban planners do and how they help shape communities. Here are the program details:
Afternoon Social Hour on February 26On the last Tuesday of each month, The FriendShip has been holding an afternoon social hour for members and volunteers to socialize and get to know one another. These gatherings have turned into such a pleasant way to spend time together! Please join us for the next afternoon social hour on Tuesday, February 26 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Location and additional details to come. (Feel free to go ahead and mark your calendar for next month too: Tuesday, March 25 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.) Dutch Treat Lunch Dates for Winter/SpringMark your calendars so you can be sure to join The FriendShip for Dutch treat lunches through the rest of winter and on into spring/summer:
So far this year, we've enjoyed lunch at Lizard's Thicket and Blue Marlin! More details on where we'll dine in the coming months are forthcoming. Reminder: Volunteer Get-Together on February 10Here's a special reminder from the Volunteer Committee! All volunteers are encouraged to attend the Volunteer Get-Together on Sunday, February 10 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. It will be a great chance to meet other volunteers, hear organizational updates, and share information/provide feedback. There will be brief remarks/updates made by Board representatives at about 2:15 p.m. Otherwise, this event will be a "drop-in" so feel free to join in for as long as your schedule allows. Refreshments are being provided courtesy of the Volunteer Committee! If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to email the Volunteer Committee chair, Janet Jordan, or contact the office at 803-602-6434 to get a message to her. Thanks to everyone who has already RSVPed! More details about the location/parking will be sent directly to those who are attending by the Friday before the event. * Please note that the Volunteer Committee is planning to hold quarterly get-togethers this year, to include socializing time as well as ongoing training and feedback opportunities. Office Closed on Presidents' DayThe FriendShip office will be closed on Monday, February 18 in observance of Presidents' Day. We'll back for regular business hours (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, February 19! Members, Do You Need Help with a Cell Phone or iPad?The FriendShip is trying to gauge interest in having personalized "tech assistance" available in a group setting. Do you have questions about how to use this or that feature on your cell phone or iPad? Would you be interested in attending a "tech assistance clinic"? We are considering various formats/options and might try something out in conjunction with an upcoming social hour. Please contact the office at 803-603-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org if this is something of interest and if you have specific features that you already know you'd like to ask for assistance on. (One of our new volunteers may be able to offer small classes on specific topics as well, if there's interest!) Tax Season is Here: Do You Know about the ElderCare Trust Fund?The South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) manages the ElderCare Trust Fund, which was created “to support programming that helps seniors stay in their homes and lead productive lives.” The ElderCare Trust is funded by donations made by individuals through their taxes—and that money is then awarded via grants to innovative programs across the state. Since it was established in 1992, the Fund has awarded over $400,000 to more than 30 non-profit organizations statewide. For information about how to contribute through your taxes (it's very easy!), check out this link or contact Kay Hightower at the SCDOA at 803-734-9900. |