The FriendShip Newsletter - February 2026
Office Information
Contact Info: 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org
Regular Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Board Member Spotlight: Delia Corrigan
*Delia is pictured above at The FriendShip's Annual Meeting with fellow Board member Scarlett Herbkersman.
The FriendShip has a new Board President, and this month we are delighted to shine a spotlight on her. Born and raised in Columbia, Delia Corrigan attended the University of Georgia, where she met her husband. After college, life took them to Augusta, Greenville, and even to Mexico before they ultimately found their way back here. Family, service, and community have always been central to her life, from delivering Meals on Wheels as a kid to stepping into her new role of President. In her free time, she enjoys writing, playing golf, gardening, and spending time with her family, including her new dog, Muddy.
Delia learned about The FriendShip from member/volunteer Ann Humphries, whom she met in a writing group. After her mother passed away, Delia felt called to volunteer herself. What started as a way to give back quickly became a powerful part of her own healing. “I’ve gotten more than I’ve given,” she shares, noting how meaningful it is to spend time with people who remind her of her mother and to simply bring a little sunshine into someone’s day.
Board member Norah Rogers soon recruited her to join the Board. When it came time for someone to step up as President, after much thought and prayer, Delia raised her hand. With a deep love for the organization and a background in education (she taught middle and high school), she trusted that she could learn and lead with an incredibly strong and supportive board by her side. Delia offers a special shout out to the amazing staff, as well as to the outgoing president, Sam Waldrep, and her fellow Executive Committee and Board members for their constant support.
The FriendShip is one of the most important parts of her week, allowing her to connect with new people and feel grounded in what truly matters. She encourages everyone to get involved as a volunteer, a member, or both. “It’s so flexible, you participate how you want, and you will love it,” she says. "Everyone joins with the right heart,” she says, “so it’s no wonder this organization is so special.”
Thank you, Delia, for your leadership, heart, and dedication. Your enthusiasm propels us forward, and we know The FriendShip is in the best of hands!
(Thank you to Beatrice Maulfair for writing this blurb.)
January Recap: Great Start to 2026!
We kicked off the new year with a brunch at Eggs Up Grill. The varied menu of breakfast and lunch favorites hit the spot, and it was a fun opportunity to catch up with one another after the holiday season.
Next up, special guest Susan Owen joined us to present “A Passion for Beekeeping.” She did such a wonderful job sharing her knowledge with us, and she even brought an observation hive so we could check out the queen bee in action! Members and volunteers learned something new and were in awe of how amazing bees (and beekeepers!) are. Thank you, Susan, for being so generous with your time and for sharing delicious honey with us too!
We rounded out the month with a social hour at Ally and Eloise Bakeshop. This local bakery was the perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon treat and catch up after a busy month. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to being together for more good times at our February programs!
Office Hours Reminder for February
The FriendShip's office will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents' Day. Members, please keep this in mind when making requests for right before and right after the holiday weekend. Please submit any requests for February 14-18 by Thursday, February 12, in order to give us time to match requests with volunteers.
Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance
- Thursday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m. - The Heart Healthy Way
- Friday, February 20 - Free Fridays at the Zoo (exact time TBD; rain date is February 27)
- Tuesday, March 3 at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch at Backstreets Grill
- Thursday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. - St. Patrick’s Day Social Hour
- Thursday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. - Women’s History Month Program
Details about the first three activities on this list can be found in this newsletter. Additional info about other March activities and beyond is forthcoming! You can find an events calendar on our website as well.
The Heart Healthy Way (Thursday, Feb. 12)
In honor of Valentine's Day, The FriendShip is hosting a program about the importance of a heart healthy lifestyle and diet. Join us on Thursday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m. for a presentation from Lisa Akly, who is a dietitian for Prisma's Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation department. We all know we are supposed to eat healthy... Join us for a little encouragement and inspiration on how to do it!
Lisa will provide information on what exactly a heart healthy diet entails, what to look for on nutrition facts labels, and nutrition considerations as we age. There will be time for her to answer some of the nutrition questions you've been curious about as well. Please RSVP to the office by noon on Tuesday, February 10. The program will be held in the Dining Room at St. John's. Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP. As always, we are happy to arrange rides for Full Members, as needed. Members, volunteers, and guests are welcome!
Free Friday at the Zoo (Friday, Feb. 20)
On February 20, The FriendShip will take advantage of "Free Fridays" at Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens. The zoo is changing and adding exhibits all the time, so we are excited to see what's new since our last visit. We hope you can make it! The otters, kangaroos, and more are waiting for you!
Arrangements are still being finalized for this outing and the exact time will be announced soon. If you are interested in going, please let the office know, and we will follow up soon with more details. Also, since this outing will involve a lot of walking, please note that there are wheelchair rentals available at the zoo on a first-come, first-served based.
(In case of rain, this outing will be moved to February 27.)
Dutch Treat Lunch at Backstreets Grill (Tuesday, Mar. 3)
In March, we will hold our monthly lunch out at Backstreets Grill. With its crowd-pleasing menu of modern-American cuisine, this restaurant is a go-to spot for so many folks, and we are excited to head back there with FriendShip friends. So, mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 3 at 11:30 a.m., and join us at 2400 Devine Street, 29205. We are sure to enjoy good food and great company! Guests are welcome. Please RSVP to the office at 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org.
Read About Us in The Columbia Star
The FriendShip was honored to be featured in the January 23rd edition of The Columbia Star. This wonderful piece was written by Delia Corrigan in tribute to our 10-year anniversary. You can access the article online, or we have hard copies available at The FriendShip office. This a great article to share with family and friends to spread the word about what we do and how to get involved!
Support from the Homes for the Holidays Tour
The FriendShip is grateful to receive financial support from the Homes for the Holidays Tour. We were very fortunate to be the beneficiary of the proceeds from the Tour's first-ever luminary sales, and we received a separate grant that will allow us to purchase a new printer for the office. Kathi Lacey from the Homes for the Holidays Tour is pictured below delivering the check to The FriendShip's Treasurer, Ken McLeod.
Thank You to Our Donors
Gifts allow us to serve the older adults in our community everyday! We are grateful for January donations from:
- Anonymous in honor of Ann Maletic
- Leila Dudley
- Barbara Mullen
- Sandra Polanski in honor of Bill and Trish Eccles
- Mary Kelly and Tom Wagner
If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check to our office or donate on our website. Thank you for your support!
