The FriendShip Newsletter - March 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. 

Member Spotlight: Lois Schmidt

Lois Schmidt moved to Columbia six years ago from Philadelphia to be closer to her son and grandchildren after the passing of her husband. Lois grew up on a farm in West Virginia, surrounded by relatives. She fondly recalls her time spent there, attending a one-room schoolhouse with only 15 students--the very same one her mother attended in 1911. The farm remains a cherished part of her life, where the family still gathers for celebrations that she says are “better than any town you could go to.”

Since moving to Columbia, Lois has become involved with the women’s club and Bible study at her church. She loves sewing and needlework, creating beautiful cushions, intricate needlepoint, and handmade quilts. Family remains central to her life and she delights in receiving videos of her five great-grandchildren who live in Connecticut.

For Lois, being part of The FriendShip means having a community of kind, caring people she can rely on. “I really appreciate The FriendShip and tell everyone about it,” she says, noting how helpful it is to not have to always rely on her family. We are so grateful to
have you as a member, Lois!

*Thanks to Allison Witte for writing our Member Spotlight this month.

New College Volunteers

We are excited to welcome two new volunteers this semester: Allison Witte and Morgan Curtis. Both are seniors in the Arnold School of Public Health at USC and began volunteering last month as a part of their capstone class. During her time at USC, Allison has enjoyed being involved in her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, and she is planning to pursue graduate school next year, potentially focusing on gerontology. Alongside classes, Morgan stays busy with her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and works part-time at a real estate investment agency and a well care clinic; after graduation, she plans to stay in Columbia and work with those companies full-time.

Allison and Morgan will be assisting with various projects and already played a key role in planning and executing Valentine's Day deliveries for our members. They will also be helping the Program Committee offer "college-themed" activities in April and are volunteering one-on-one with members too. They are excited to meet and learn from our members and volunteers!

Program Recap: Fun in February

We kicked off the month by spreading some love and creativity. Members and volunteers gathered to make Valentine’s cards to send to a local women’s shelter. We enjoyed socializing while crafting! Most importantly, making the cards to share was a wonderful way to show support and brighten someone’s day.

Later in the month, we braved the chilly weather to enjoy good food and great company at Lizard's Thicket. This classic Columbia restaurant never disappoints for a lunch among friends. 

We ended the month with an informative program presented by the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. The session focused on how we can protect ourselves from scams and fraud, offering valuable insights and practical tips to stay safe in today’s technological world. If you were not able to join us for this program but would like the information, we have a recording of the session and handouts to give you. Contact us via phone at 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to ask for the recording and/or other materials. There's also lots of good info on the SC Department of Consumer Affairs website.  

Valentine's Day Treats for Members

For Valentine's Day, a bud vase of lovely, fragrant roses was delivered as a token of our love to full members who were interested in receiving a little holiday treat. 

We especially thank those who created the arrangements and made the deliveries, Allison, Jane, and McKenna! And, we are grateful to Sam, our Board president, for sharing materials and advice on flower arranging. 

We hope you all enjoyed your Valentine's Day, and we send our love to all members and volunteers of The FriendShip on Valentine's Day and always!

Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance

• Friday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch at J.R. Cash's
• Thursday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. - Browns' Birds: A Presentation on Birds & Birding with Will & Frances Brown
• Wednesday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. - "What's College Like These Days?" Social Hour

You can find an events calendar on our website as well.

Lunch at J.R. Cash's (March 21)

We had planned to enjoy lunch at J. R. Cash's Grill & Bar in February but had to make a last-minute switch because the restaurant's heat went out! So, since this is a popular restaurant, we are excited to head over there on Friday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m. Their large menu will offer anything you may be craving that day including sandwiches, steak, or seafood! The restaurant is located at 2005 North Beltline Boulevard, 29204. Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by noon on Wednesday, March 19. As always, rides can be arranged for full members.

Browns' Birds: A Presentation on Birds & Birding with Will & Frances Brown (March 27)

There are a lot of bird enthusiasts in The FriendShip family so we are thrilled to offer a special program about our feathered friends! FriendShip volunteers Will and Frances Brown have spent years in their own backyard and sitting on their back porch identifying birds and even getting nice pictures like the one above. On Thursday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m., they will discuss what they have learned about birding including picking up on songs, figuring out how to tell some of the brown birds apart, attracting certain birds, and more. 

Whether you’re new to birding or have some experience, this program is for you! Join us in the Dining Room at St. John's to learn about local SC birds, get tips on spotting them, and hear stories from the Browns' birding adventures. Call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by Wednesday, March 26 at noon. Guests are welcome!

"What's College Like These Days?" Social Hour (April 2)

Join us on Wednesday, April 2 for our college-themed social hour. Morgan and Allison, our new student volunteers, will share their experiences about what it's like to be on campus in 2025. It'll be a fun chance to compare notes about how times have changed--and what might've stayed the same. The discussion is sure to touch on such topics as attire, classes, student organizations, and social life. Bring anything you'd like to share! We'd love to hear stories about your college days.

This program will not only be an enjoyable afternoon but also will be a great chance to show support to these hard-working students! All members, volunteers, and guests are welcome.

The social hour will take place in the St. John's Dining Room from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by Tuesday, April 1 at noon. Rides can be arranged for full members.

Special Opportunity for Members: Need an Extra Hand in the Yard? (Sign Up by March 17)

Do you need some extra help with a one-time project in your yard or shed? Maybe you need some hedges trimmed or a small area pressure-washed? The FriendShip is excited to partner with Service in the Soda City to bring you some extra volunteer help on Saturday, March 29. 

Service in the Soda City is an organization that brings teenage students together to serve their community. Several times a year, they set up a “Saturday of Service” during which they help local nonprofits, including Harvest Hope, Homeworks, Cooperative Ministries and many more. In the past they’ve helped FriendShip members with cleaning off a roof, making small repairs to a shed, trimming overgrown areas of the yard, and more. If you are interested in participating, please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org no later than March 17 to sign up. Slots are limited so let us know as soon as possible what you would like help with, and we will coordinate with Service in the Soda City to see if they can help with what you have in mind. 

If you are a volunteer who might be interested in assisting, please let us know; we plan to have a FriendShip volunteer on-site with each member to be a liaison.

Thank You to Our Donors

Gifts are the reason we are able to fulfill our mission of helping older adults age in their homes. Thank you for February donations from:

• Bill Robinson
• Ruth Smith

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!