The FriendShip Newsletter - December 2017Office 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. (Call or stop by to chat!) A Few Notes from the Services CoordinatorI spoke with a member recently who said she'd be interested in having a daily check-in call from The FriendShip. I'm wondering if there might be others who would appreciate this service. Please let me know if you are interested--and if you are willing to be one of our daily callers (i.e., taking responsibility for calling someone a certain day or days each week). As the scenario above demonstrates, your feedback is crucial as The FriendShip works to enrich our offerings. If you are interested in something, it's likely that someone else is too! So, please provide feedback about what interests you and what you need to live independently and stay active! I can hardly believe this is the final newsletter for 2017! As I reflect back on this past year, it's clear that becoming a part of The FriendShip was one of the best things to happen to me this year. I just can't say enough about what a wonderful group of people The FriendShip is! Our volunteers have absolutely gone above and beyond in providing services and more. Just in this last month, volunteers have helped members by running errands, fixing a broken light, helping secure repair services, providing rides to medical appointments and Christmas shopping, and making hospital visits. And, where would we be without the talents of those who help plan programs, run the office, fundraise and more?! Our members enjoy being with our volunteers, and our volunteers enjoy being with our members! Together, we are creating an incredible caring community within our broader Columbia community. Knowing that, I believe that we have a lot to look forward to together in 2018! Please accept my thanks on behalf of The FriendShip and my own personal gratitude as well! - Eleanor Holiday Cheer from Scott!Happy Holidays, everyone! Kansas City has treated me well so far in 2017, and I'm enjoying my new role at Cerner. I'll hopefully be working on the new project with the VA as soon as the official contract with Cerner goes through the necessary political caveats! For now, my only client is in Miami, but in 2018 I will be traveling between there and Washington State. I think of The FriendShip and South Carolina often, and wish everyone a happy and healthy 2018. - Scott * For those of you who didn't get to know him, Scott Hinkel was the Services Coordinator before Eleanor came on board. He moved to Missouri over the summer to take a new, full-time job. Have Another Helping of New Year's Greens! Dutch Treat Lunch on Friday, Jan. 5 at Lizard's Thicket!You are invited to join The FriendShip for another helping of collard greens and black-eyed peas (or any other of your favorite Southern dishes!) at the January Dutch treat lunch. See details below.
A note about this January date: we have decided to start the new year with a Friday lunch in order to give people plenty of time to settle back in from the holidays before meeting up. Moving forward for winter/spring, The FriendShip will continue Dutch treat lunches during the first week of the month and will continue to rotate days of the week. Please check the January newsletter for a full list of winter/spring lunch dates. Also, input regarding lunch locations is always appreciated! Keep an eye out for other mailings that will come out soon with details about additional January programs! Office Closures for the HolidaysThe FriendShip's office closure policy follows that of St. John's Episcopal Church. Therefore, the office will close at noon on Friday, December 22, and will be closed both Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26 for Christmas. Also, the office will be closed on January 1 to ring in the new year and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2! Recap and Recipe from the Holiday Party!The FriendShip's holiday party earlier this month was a lot of fun, with plenty of friends, Christmas Carol puzzles, and homemade goodies. Plus, we had a special appearance by Maddie the poodle! Thanks to all of you who were able to come out. And, a big thank you to Maddie and her coach for bringing smiles to our faces! As one member put it so perfectly, Maddie is such an elegant dog! She has earned an invitation back to The FriendShip any time! (Above, our wonderful member Charline Brandt is pictured with our special guests.) Some of the most popular sweet treats at the party were Jane Blair's "Yummy Bars." She provided the recipe for everyone; see below. (Here's Jane's secret that you don't have to share with your guests: they are as easy to make as they are delicious!) Yummy Bars Ingredients: 1 German Chocolate Cake Mix (18 oz.); 3/4 cup melted butter; 2/3 cup evaporated milk (divided); 1 package (6 oz.) of chocolate chips; 1 cup chopped nuts; and 30 to 50 caramels. Directions:
A Donation to The FriendShip is the Perfect Present!Presents to buy, cookies to bake, trees to trim and cards to mail! The Holidays are exhausting, but there is an easier way! Just make a year-end gift to The FriendShip in your friends' or loved ones' names. We will be happy to send them an acknowledgement of your gift. One stop shopping at its best and it is tax deductible! Sorry we can’t help with the cookies. You can make a donation on line at www.thefriendship.org , or call 803-602-6434. Thanks to so many of you who have already given generously! Your support means so much! The Village Movement on National RadioThere was recently a three-part series on NPR about the Village Movement. The series highlighted different Villages around the country, showcasing how various Villages are helping older adults age in place with dignity and how the movement is evolving. You can access an overview article and listen to each of the three parts of the series by clicking this link. Happy Holidays! Best Wishes in the New Year! |