The FriendShip Newsletter - March 2024
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.
Volunteer Spotlight: Hannah Honeycutt
Hannah Honeycutt noticed a “Volunteers Needed” flyer at her gym; it was posted by one of the founders of The FriendShip, Jane Blair, who also works out there. Hannah turned in her application to The FriendShip in 2021 and has enjoyed volunteering ever since.
She remembers how her grandfather lived in his home until his death at 93. She says “My aunt lived nearby and helped him with medical appointments and grocery shopping. I would want that for myself and my husband.”
Hannah is the Executive Director at the SC Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission. Even though she works full time, she says “I have pockets of time to take members to an appointment and walk them in or stop by the store to pick up and deliver items to them.” Hannah wants to give back. She especially appreciates that The FriendShip can work with the little slots of time in her schedule. She finds volunteering meaningful and likes the community of members and volunteers.
In her spare time, Hannah enjoys the company of her husband and their three cats. She also knits and crochets. “I get special joy when my niece and nephew, ages 9 and 11, request a certain garment in a certain color. I crochet many baby blankets and made the cutest baby bonnet for my niece.”
Thank you, Hannah, for all you do, from helping our members with rides and errands to serving on our Policy Committee and baking treats for special programs!
Welcome, McKenna!
We are delighted to announced that McKenna Stovall has joined The FriendShip as the Services and Communications Assistant. McKenna is originally from Greensboro, North Carolina. She is now a first year student at the University of South Carolina with plans to become a registered nurse. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and trying new recipes. She loves giving back to her community, and is looking forward to becoming immersed in The FriendShip and our mission!
February Activities Recap: Sunshine, Social Hour, and Students!
The FriendShip kicked off February with lunch at Ruby Sunshine in Five Points. Then, we enjoyed being out and about in the sunshine at the botanical gardens at Riverbanks. We love that Riverbanks offers free admission on Fridays during February (and January too); there is always something pretty to see, no matter what season you go.
Another highlight from February was our social hour at the end of the month. Program Committee member Jane Blair led us in a fun activity that was a spin on "show-and-tell." Then, we heard from graduate students at USC's Arnold School of Public Health who shared info on a brain health study for which they are recruiting participants. It is always great to hear about the important work going on at USC in the field of aging research. The FriendShip office has flyers about the study, if you are interested in participating.
Office Reminder: Phone Number for The FriendShip
When calling The FriendShip office, please dial us directly at 803-602-6434. Note that when we call out, the number that shows up on your cell phone (or the caller ID on your landline) will be a St. John's number. Rather than hit "return call" on your phone, please dial our number directly. Otherwise, you will be routed to the St. John's office and that could slow down your reaching us.
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434.
Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance
- Tuesday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. - Underestimated Women's Political Power
- Thursday, March 14 at 5:00 p.m. - Volunteer Info Session for Falls Prevention Project (via Zoom)
- Friday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. - March Social Hour
- Monday, March 25 at 4:00 p.m. - Volunteer Training for Falls Prevention Project (tentative date/time so please call to confirm)
You can find an events calendar on our website as well.
Underestimated Women's Political Power (March 12)
In the midst of the political primary season and all of the activity leading up to the presidential election, let's take some time to reflect on women's activism and voting. Dr. Laura Woliver, a USC Distinguished Professor Emerita in Political Science and Women's and Gender Studies, will join us to lead a discussion about "Underestimated Women's Political Power" on Tuesday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. Drawing on her years of research, she will frame our conversation with her talking points and engage attendees to share their own experiences as well. So, come ready for a participatory, thought-provoking program.
Information on our speaker:
Dr. Woliver has had a distinguished career at USC and her research specializes in American politics. According to the USC website, "her interests include gender and politics, social justice, social movements and activism. Her current emphasis is on fair districting in American elections, voter protection, and making democracy work for all people. She does this in her writings and her work in the League of Women Voters of the Columbia Area."
Other important details:
This program will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12 in the Dining Room at St. John's Episcopal Church. RSVPs would be appreciated but are not required. To RSVP, please email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434. As always, we are happy to provide rides for members who need them. Guests are welcome!
March Social Hour: Meet Me 50 Years Ago (March 22)
You are invited to spend some quality time getting to know other members and volunteers at our next Social Hour on Friday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. These monthly gatherings are a great chance to get away from your regular day-to-day routine and relax. The theme of this month's get-together will be: "Meet Me 50 Years Ago." All participants are asked to bring a photo of themselves from 50 years ago (or thereabouts) to share. This is going to be a fun afternoon of visiting and reminiscing. To RSVP, email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434.
Exciting New Opportunity: Improve Home Safety & Prevent Falls
The FriendShip is kicking off a new project and invites all members and volunteers to get involved! We are working with occupational therapist Erin Jeffords who will train our volunteers to conduct home safety screens for interested members. After the screening process, members will receive recommendations on specific ways they can improve the safety of their homes to help prevent falls.
For FriendShip volunteers: Come to an info session with Erin via Zoom on March 14 from 5:00-5:45 to learn how you can participate in this vital initiative to help our member age in place and prevent falls. Email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434 to let us know you are interested, and we’ll send the Zoom link in advance. Please note that training will be provided via an in-person session later in the month (likely March 25 at 4:00 p.m.). The project will not require a huge time commitment and scheduling will be flexible.
For FriendShip members: Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn how you can prevent falls by signing up to have your home screened by one of the trained FriendShip volunteers. Please email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434 to sign up.
Volunteers, Mark Your Calendars
Volunteers are the lifeblood of The FriendShip! As a token of our appreciation, we are going to be holding a Volunteer Appreciation Event on Sunday, April 21 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at St. John's. Please mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more details soon.
Thank You to Our Donors
As a nonprofit organization, The FriendShip relies on the support of generous donors to fulfill our mission. Through their gifts, our supporters are making lasting change within our community. We are grateful for February donations from:
- Barbara Bryan
- Homes for the Holiday
If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check to our office or donate online. Thank you for your support!
