The FriendShip Newsletter - January 2025
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.
Committee Spotlight: Program Committee
This month, we would like to shine a spotlight on one of the wonderful committees that is so vital to The FriendShip: the Program Committee, which is comprised of Dana Turner, Lynn Aughtry, Carol Barnett, Jane Blair, Barbara Mullen, and Ruth Smith.
Dana has been a strong force behind this committee for several years and chairs the group with an amazing can-do attitude, positive energy, and creativity. She says, “The Program Committee knows the importance of socialization and engagement for seniors who want to lead active lives and remain in their homes.” Opportunities to stay connected to others and to learn and grow are crucial components to aging well.
To support the wellbeing of our members, the Program Committee plans three activities each month: a lunch outing, an educational program, and a social hour. Dana explains that “we eat out around town, and we take tours such as to the Anne Frank Center, Riverbanks Zoo, Congaree National Park, and Olympia Museum." The group has also invited guests to present on a wide range of fascinating topics such as the Gills Creek Watershed, chemical oceanography, and the City of Columbia K9 Team. Social hours are planned to facilitate sharing and include a special topic or focus like school memories, vacation photos, Halloween costumes and memories, and Thanksgiving recipes.
The members of the committee all bring their talents to the table to get the programs off the ground. They help to come up with interesting ideas, reach out to potential speakers/guests, plan the details of the programs, and serve as welcoming hosts at the gatherings. Our Board liaison for the committee is Carol Barnett and she has been an event planner extraordinaire! We are so grateful for the dedication of the entire Program committee. If you meet one of the committee members, please give them your feedback and ideas--and, most of all, your thanks!
*The top photo above pictures three long-time Program Committee members, Jane Blair, Dana Turner, and Ruth Smith, at a FriendShip picnic. The lower photo pictures another committee member, Carol Barnett, who spearheaded the lovely decorations and refreshments at several recent holiday celebrations.
December Program Recap
December can often seem like one of the busiest months of the year! At The FriendShip, we did indeed have a month bustling with services, activities, and meetings. Fortunately, however, we also had several planned get-togethers that gave us the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the holiday season together!
We enjoyed a delicious start to December at Miyo's for our Dutch Treat Lunch. We love these chances to take a break from the day-to-day and enjoy good food and good company!
Later in the month, we enjoyed a Holiday Party complete with Christmas music and homemade refreshments. Special thanks to Donna Lais for playing piano during our singalong! With plenty of song sheets on hand, members, volunteers, and guests were able to get into the holiday spirit, and everyone left with a treat box filled with homemade cookies.
FriendShip Soup Warmed Our Hearts with Holiday Cheer
During the holiday season, our members had the pleasure of receiving special Christmas deliveries thanks to the kindness and talent of our Board member, Carol Barnett. She created beautiful packages of "FriendShip Soup" that were delivered and enjoyed by our members. We know our volunteers always enjoy participating in this holiday activity too, because it is a great opportunity to visit with and get to know our members. Many thanks to Carol and everyone else who spread Christmas cheer with these deliveries/visits!
Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance
- Thursday, January 9 at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch at Badd Boys Cafe
- Tuesday, January 21 at 2:00 p.m. - Learn How to Protect Against Fraud & Scams
- Tuesday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. - Social Hour at All Good Books
- Thursday, February 6 at 2:00 p.m. - Valentine's Day Card-Making for the Women's Shelter
- More February dates will be announced soon!
You can find an events calendar on our website as well.
Lunch at Badd Boys Cafe (January 9)
Join us on Thursday, January 9 at 11:30 a.m. for a Dutch Treat Lunch at Badd Boys Cafe. Their menu offers a selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches to make for the perfect lunch! Badd Boys Cafe is located at 2711 Middleburg Plaza, 29204. You can call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP (or just stop on by). As always, rides can be arranged for Full Members, if needed.
Learn How to Protect Yourself from Scams (January 21)
On Tuesday, January 21 at 2:00 p.m. the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs will join The FriendShip to offer a presentation about how to guard against identity theft and scams. New schemes are being invented every day to scam millions of people each year. Learn how to protect yourself from fraud and stay safe.
This presentation will take place in the St. John's Dining Room. Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by noon on Monday, January 20. Guests are welcome!
Social Hour at All Good Books (January 28)
Did you make a new year's resolution to read more? Have you been enjoying this cozy (cold!) reading weather? Well, our January social hour is perfect for you! Join The FriendShip on Tuesday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. at All Good Books. If you haven't had a chance to visit this independent bookstore, we think you'll see why it has quickly become a Five Points favorite! During the social hour, we will discuss favorite books from the past and swap titles of books we are looking forward to reading in the new year.
All Good Books is located at 734 Harden Street, 29205. Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by noon on Monday, January 27. The FriendShip can arrange rides for Full Members, as needed.
Valentine's Day Card-Making Event
Join us for a special Valentine's Day card-making event to spread love and kindness! On Thursday, February 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the St. John's Dining Room, we will make cards for women at our local shelter, sharing messages of support and hope. All supplies will be provided. Let’s make this Valentine’s Day extra special for those who need it most. Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by noon on Tuesday, February 4.
Kick Off the New Year by Learning Something New! Check out Local Classes!
The Shepherd's Center Winter Session of classes has begun and includes a diverse range of classes and activities. There's something for everyone from history and literature classes to art, music, mah jongg and so much more! You can learn more and register online, or call 803-779-4449.
The Lourie Center offers a lifelong learning series called the Lourie Lectures, and the winter session is coming up in February with classes on the history of the American railroad, Shakespeare, South Carolina visual artists, and more. Check out the fascinating list of offerings online and sign up today!
Office Reminder
The FriendShip's office will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Members, please keep this in mind when making requests for right before and right after the holiday weekend. Please submit any requests for January 18-21 by Thursday, January 16, in order to give us time to match requests with volunteers.
Weekend Service Volunteers Available
Members, here's a reminder that you are welcome to request services on the weekends! The FriendShip has several wonderful volunteers who work throughout the week, and therefore, they want to focus their volunteering on the weekends. They have availability to provide services (such as transportation, errands, visits, etc.) on Saturdays and Sundays. Our volunteers love to help out when they can!
As always, three days advance notice is greatly appreciated for all service requests, and please note that if you submit a request via email or voicemail after business hours, it will be received the next business day.
Thank You to Our Donors
The generosity of our donors is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission! We are grateful for December donations from:
- Melanie & Frank Baker in honor of Vera Tucker
- Mary Denis Cauthen
- Bill & Trish Eccles
- Jill Ann Grote in honor of Jane Blair
- Edward Haselden, Jr. in memory of Martha Bryan
- Paul McCullough
- Liz Melendez in memory of her parents, Bill & Jo Ann Wyatt (from November)
- Ann Ruderman in honor of Bill & Trish Eccles
- Alvin Strasburger
- Joy Tucker
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!
