May 2026 Newsletter
Member Spotlight: Ruth Smith
Ruth Smith’s life has been shaped by faith, resilience, and a deep-rooted sense of purpose. Originally from just 30 miles outside of Columbia, she grew up on a farm in a big family, where life was never quiet nor boring. Days were filled with hard work and imagination: making games, walking on homemade can-stilts, and learning early on the value of sharing. “I became a giver, not a taker,” she reflects, a mindset that continues to define her life. She later captured these cherished memories in a book she wrote about her upbringing, Once Upon a Country Road.
Ruth spent 41 years working as a senior accounting clerk for a telephone company, building a steady and meaningful career before retiring. Her late husband dedicated his career to the state highway department, and together they created a life grounded in commitment and family. They have one daughter and a growing legacy through their two grandchildren.
A lifelong learner, Ruth went back to college later in life to earn her bachelor’s degree in business from Southern Wesleyan University’s Columbia campus. While never holding a formal teaching position, teaching has always been a natural part of who she is.
Her passion for helping and connecting with others has been a constant thread. Ruth has volunteered at a hospital for over 20 years, providing support for patients and their families. “It helps me more than it helps them,” she says of volunteering, a testament to her humility and perspective. She joined The FriendShip in the early days of the organization as both a member and a volunteer and continues to serve on the Program Committee. In appreciation for volunteers who have helped her with errands and rides and who come out to walk with her, she says “Without The FriendShip, I could not float my boat.”
Grounded in faith and strengthened by surviving ovarian cancer twice, Ruth approaches life with positivity and purpose. She finds joy in being outside and stays physically active by working in her yard, taking daily walks, and attending exercise class. Whether she’s reading, baking her famous pecan pie, gardening, or encouraging others to “look on the bright side,” she continues to live a life of impact, gratitude, and unwavering strength. The Friendship is beyond lucky to have you, Ruth.
(Thanks to Beatrice Maulfair for writing this month's spotlight.)
April Program Recap
The FriendShip enjoyed a great mix of activities in April! For our monthly lunch, we went back to an old fave for a delicious meal: Mr. Friendly’s in Five Points. Then, we tried something new with an excursion to the Columbia International Festival. It was a great experience, including when one of the performers walked on stilts right over our heads! Another fun activity was our “crafternoon” of decoupaging terra cotta pots. Thank you to volunteer Janel Hagar for planning and leading this activity! She did a great job, once again, choosing a craft that we could all enjoy, no matter our level of experience.
The highlight of April was the Annual Meeting/10th Anniversary Celebration! Over fifty members, volunteers, and guests gathered to celebrate our first decade, reflecting on our accomplishments thus far and looking ahead to future growth. We especially enjoyed hearing from the founders of the organization who shared stories from the early days.
There was so much positive energy in the room, and the event space was lovely, decked out with floral arrangements featuring hydrangeas. We are grateful to the event planning committee for their hard work—and we owe special thanks to Laurie Barnwell for her amazing leadership in coordinating so many details for the event. The afternoon was indeed a fitting tribute to a decade of friendship and service!
Office Closure Reminder
The FriendShip's office will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. Members, please keep this in mind when making requests for right before and right after the holiday weekend. Please submit any requests for May 22-27 by Wednesday, May 20 in order to give us time to match requests with volunteers.
Donate on May 5 to Fuel the Next Decade of Friendship & Service!
Celebrating The FriendShip’s 10th anniversary this year has given us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the power of our mission. By connecting our members and volunteers with one another, The FriendShip has built a supportive community that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and their families every day. We have grown to become a vital, trusted resource for practical assistance and enriching programs and fellowship.
The FriendShip has reached this 10-year milestone thanks to overwhelming community support over the years. As we begin our second decade of service, we need your continued support. Membership fees do not cover all of the organization’s expenses; financial contributions are crucial as we work to sustain our current offerings, keep membership fees affordable, and look to expand our offerings in the future.
Please partner with us in this life-changing work by donating to our Midlands Gives campaign! Here’s how you can help us reach our $28,000 goal:
- DONATE -Visit midlandsgives.org/organization/thefriendship between 6:00 a.m. and midnight on Tuesday, May 5, or take advantage of the "early giving" option to donate now.
- DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT - Thanks to very generous supporters who are providing $14,000 in matching funds, every dollar you give online during Midlands Gives can be doubled. There is no better time to give than now!
- SPREAD THE WORD - Forward this email to your family and friends and share our posts on Facebook or Instagram. Word-of-mouth is the most powerful way to expand our reach.
Your gift to The FriendShip during Midlands Gives will help us grow and fuel our next decade!
Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance
- Tuesday, May 5 - Midlands Gives Day! Donate between 6:00 a.m. and midnight!
- Friday, May 8 at 11:30 a.m. - Potluck Lunch
- Tuesday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. - Learn about the Glenn Springs Hotel
- Friday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. - Froyo Social Hour
- Tuesday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. - Bird Photography Exhibit at the State Museum
- Wednesday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch at DiPrato's
You can find an events calendar on our website as well.
Lunch Honoring Mother Figures in Our Lives (May 8)
You're invited to a special Mother’s Day-themed Potluck Lunch on Friday, May 8 at 11:30 a.m. in the Dining Room at St. John's. Celebrate a mother figure who has impacted you by bringing a dish to share that was inspired by her. Cook your mom''s famous casserole or bake your great aunt's best cake! Whether it’s a family recipe or a favorite comfort food, we’d love for you to share the story behind it. If you don't have a chance to make something, please don't let that stop you from coming! There will be plenty of food for everyone to enjoy.
Please RSVP by noon on Wednesday, May 6 by calling 803-602-6434 or emailing contact@thefriendship.org. As always, we are happy to arrange rides for Full Members.
Calling All South Carolina History Buffs! (May 19)
Join The FriendShip on Tuesday, May 19 at 2:00 p.m. for an entertaining local history lesson about the Glenn Springs Hotel, which was built in 1838 in Spartanburg County and operated for a century. Drawing on research from his forthcoming book on the subject, guest speaker David Hodges will share the story of this renowned hotel, including how it drew visitors seeking the healing mineral waters of the nearby spring and attracted many Lowcountry planters and S.C. governors.
Mr. Hodges is a lively speaker, and we are sure to enjoy his presentation. Alongside his career in the life insurance industry, he is an avid book collector as well as an author. He has served on a number of local and state boards and currently serves on the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Members, volunteers, and guests are welcome! To RSVP, please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org.
Froyo Social Hour (June 5)
Join FriendShip friends at 16 Handles for an afternoon treat of frozen yogurt on Friday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. We'll kick off the weekend a little early and enjoy a refreshing cup of frozen yogurt. There are so many flavors and toppings to choose from! To RSVP, please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org.
Thank You to Our Donors
Gifts are crucial to our ability to help older adults lead independent lives. Thank you to April donors:
- The Family of Ann & Walt Gregg
- Ginny Huguley
- Barbara Mullen
- Bill and Ann Robinson
- Suzanne and Roger Way
- The Tuesday Morning Men's Bible Study of St. John's Episcopal Church
In April, we also have received many generous "early donations" to our online Midlands Gives campaign; they are not included in the list above. We are grateful for these gifts and will recognize them separately after the completion of the campaign!
If you would like to make a donation, you can always mail a check to our office or donate on our website. However, during our Midlands Gives campaign (now through May 5), please consider making your donation via the online giving portal at https://www.midlandsgives.org/organization/thefriendship so that your gift will count towards our campaign goal.
