The FriendShip Newsletter - October 2023

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.

Shining a Spotlight on Our Members & Volunteers

The FriendShip is excited to kick off a new feature in our newsletters! Starting this month, we will be highlighting a member or volunteer in each newsletter so we can get to know each other better and learn more about how The FriendShip touches so many lives.

Special thanks to Ann Humphries, who leads our Communications and Outreach Team, for getting our spotlights up and running by creating the profile below.

Volunteer Spotlight: Michael Wells

Volunteer Michael Wells with his tool box.

Volunteer Michael Wells helping member Ann Humphries on her tablet.

For our inaugural spotlight, we would like to introduce you to Michael Wells who lives in Elgin and has volunteered with The FriendShip since 2017.

He retired after more than 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, and since then, he has worked full-time as Facilities Manager at St. John Neumann Church. In describing what he does for The FriendShip, Michael says “I help members with household repairs, cable, electronics, and technology.”

What do you like about volunteering for The FriendShip? “I like helping people. I’ve volunteered since I first entered the service.”
What are your favorite sports teams? "Tampa Bay Bucs and Florida Gators.”
What gives you joy? “I love being outside, hiking, gardening, and landscaping. I love to be in nature.”
How did you hear about The FriendShip? “St. John Neumann supported The FriendShip in the past. I read about all The FriendShip does; that appealed to me.”

From member Ann Humphries, “I feel Michael has a huge smile, generous heart, and many talents. He’s calming.”

Thank you to Michael for all he has done for our members over the years! We are so lucky to have such kind and capable volunteers!

Program Recap

Members and volunteers seated at a long table at Backstreets Grill

The FriendShip enjoyed going out for lunch at Backstreets Grill in early September! We filled up quite a long table at the restaurant with a great group of members and volunteers.

Since National Falls Prevention Month is held each year in September, we featured a special program on that topic later in the month. Dr. Deb Krotish discussed statistics about falls and shared steps we can take to help prevent them. At the end of the program, she led the group in a series of falls prevention exercises that focused on stretching, improving balance, and strength-building. Members, volunteers, and guests in attendance found these very helpful and have even begun incorporating the exercises into their daily routines.

Dr. Deb Krotish giving her presentation at a podium.

Thanks, as always, to our Program Committee for coordinating activities that enable us to enjoy one another's company and learn something new. If you have an idea for a program that you'd like to help coordinate or suggest, let the committee know!

Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance

Tuesday, October 10 - Learn about the Columbia Peace Pole Initiative at 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 24 - Fall Walk at Cayce Riverwalk at 2:00 p.m.
Friday, November 3 - Dutch Treat Lunch at Cava at 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, November 9 - Making Your Home Work for You as You Age with Dr. Owens at 2:00 p.m.

You can find a calendar of upcoming programs on our website as well.

Learn about the Peace Pole Initiative (Oct. 10)

On Tuesday, October 10, guest speaker Elaine Frick will share information with us about the Columbia Peace Pole Initiative, which is part of a global peace advocacy initiative that seeks to end the use of nuclear weapons. “May peace prevail on earth” is a message that has been translated into over 50 languages and placed on more than 200,000 peace poles all over the world. Join volunteers, members, and guests to hear about this important initiative on Tuesday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at St. John's. If you haven't already done so, please RSVP to The FriendShip office by calling 803-602-6434 or by emailing contact@thefriendship.org.

Fall Walk at Cayce Riverwalk (Oct. 24)

With cooler weather and nice fall colors, it’s time to get outside! So, join FriendShip members and volunteers for a Fall Walk at Cayce Riverwalk on Tuesday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. This paved trail provides an easy walk with opportunities along the way to sit and rest. We are sure to enjoy both the outdoor setting and the company. Guests are welcome!

We’ll meet at the Cayce Riverwalk Picnic Shelter at the end of Naples Avenue, West Columbia. Ample parking and restrooms are available. Please contact The FriendShip office at 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org by Friday, October 20 at noon to let us know you can attend or if you need a ride. We will provide more specific info on where to meet to those who plan to attend.

Sharing Resources and Opportunities

Members and volunteers of The FriendShip often learn about resources and opportunities they'd like to share with others in the network. Below is a listing of some resources that you might find helpful:

This fall, every U.S. household can order four free Covid-19 tests at https://www.covid.gov/tests. If you need help putting in your order, please contact The FriendShip office. Also, if you haven't already done so, be sure you are up-to-date on your Covid-19 vaccinations and your flu shot too!
Richland Library's "AgeReady" series will present an online class on the "Importance of Sleep" on Saturday, October 14 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Jean Davis, PhD, RN, FAAN, who is a Professor at the USC College of Nursing, will share info on how to promote healthy sleep habits and improve the overall quality of your sleep. Visit the library's website for more info and to register.
The SC Department on Aging offers a monthly webinar entitled "Dementia 101: The Basics" that covers topics including signs/symptoms, types, stages, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, and resources for support. For more info, contact Tori Anderson at ToAnderson@aging.sc.gov or call 803-545-4277. The next dates for this webinar will be November 1 and December 6 from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Thank You to Our Donors

The generosity of our donors is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission! We are grateful for September donations from:

Jim & Shirley Knight
Garden Ellas Garden Club

If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check to our office or donate online. Thank you for your support!