The FriendShip Newsletter - September 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: Gordon & Eileen Schell

Eileen and Gordon Schell have long believed in the power of community; they’ve spent decades helping to build it here in Columbia. Originally from Southeast Texas, the couple met before Gordon moved to Columbia for graduate school. After living in places like New Orleans and Montana, they returned to Columbia in 1997 and have been active members of their church community since 2001. Together, they care for Gordon’s 91-year-old mother who has moved here from Texas to live with them.

Professionally, both Eileen and Gordon are deeply committed to serving others. Gordon works with FoodShare South Carolina, part of the USC School of Medicine, where he supports access to healthy produce for vulnerable communities. Eileen works with Mental Health America, managing housing for individuals with severe mental illness. With a background in geriatrics and years of hands-on experience in outreach and marketing, she’s done a little bit of everything, and done it all with heart.

Their connection to The FriendShip runs deep. Eileen is one of the organization’s founding board members and remains highly involved today, serving on both the Member Committee and the Communications and Outreach (COR) Committee. Gordon helps on the COR Committee as well--and, recently, he designed the organization’s beautiful new logo. The couple enjoys driving members when they can as well as attending events.

To both Eileen and Gordon, The FriendShip is not only about service today, it’s about building something that will endure. “Barbara Mullen, one of the The FriendShip's founders, lightheartedly said, ‘I’m doing this so when I need it, it’s there.’ That resonated with us,” Eileen shares. “We hope this inspires others so that the services will be around when we need them.”

As associate members, they already feel they get so much from being involved and making connections with other members and volunteers. They value being part of something outside of work where they can contribute meaningfully. 

Thank you, Eileen and Gordon, for your generosity, leadership, and vision. The FriendShip is stronger and more connected because of you!

(Thanks to Beatrice Maulfair for writing this month's spotlight.)

    August Program Recap

There was a lot of rain in Columbia in August, but it didn't rain on our parade! We kicked the month off with a great turnout for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, DiPrato’s. We enjoyed delicious sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as the wonderful company of other members and volunteers. 

The following week we hosted a program on Social Connectedness for Healthy Aging. This excellent presentation was provided by USC School of Public Health graduate students, Ally Hucek, Mina Karami, and Mike Leonard. They shared information about the health impacts of social isolation and how/where to find resources and support. The presentation truly underscored the importance of our work here at The FriendShip! If you would like a copy of the presentation slides and the handouts on older adult/caregiver resources, please email or call the office.

We wrapped up the month with a Social Hour at Knowledge Perk Coffee. With a big turnout of members, volunteers, and guests, we took over one section of the cafe. It was the perfect spot for enjoying an afternoon pick-me-up and chatting with FriendShip friends! 

Thanks to everyone who joined us in August, and we can’t wait for September events!

Reminder to Volunteers: Survey Deadline Has Been Extended!

Thanks to all the volunteers who have already completed our Volunteer Survey! We've had a great response rate so far. In order to keep those responses coming in, we have extended the deadline to Friday, September 5. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and provides valuable feedback. Please email contact@thefriendship.org if you need us to resend the link. And, don't forget: you will be entered to win a $50 gift card if you complete the survey. (If you've submitted your responses anonymously, please let the office know to enter you in the drawing.)

Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance

• Friday, September 5 at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch at Bonefish Grill
• Thursday, September 18 at 2:00 p.m. - Tour of Richland Library Main Branch
• Late September - Social Hour at All Good Books (exact day/time TBA)

Mark your calendar for these September activities, and more September/October programs dates will be announced soon. You can find an events calendar on our website as well.

Lunch at Bonefish Grill (Friday, September 5)

Join us for our next Dutch Treat Lunch on Friday, September 5 at 11:30 a.m. at Bonefish Grill. This favorite restaurant is known for fresh seafood, seasonal specials, and of course their famous Bang Bang Shrimp. It’s a great chance to share a good meal and conversation with friends. We hope to see you there! If you haven't already done so, please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by noon on Thursday, September 4.

Tour Columbia's Award-Winning Library (Thursday, September 18)

Join us for a special tour of the Main Branch of the Richland Library on Thursday, September 18 at 2:00 p.m. During our visit, we will see the array of book collections on site as well as the local history room, displays of public art, and makerspaces/art studios! We'll also have a chance to learn about many of the services that are offered from the book delivery service to the "Library of Things" equipment borrowing program and more. This is a great opportunity to discover more about how the library connects people in Columbia with great resources and services. Get ready to be impressed by all the library has to offer!

Members, volunteers, and guests are welcome! Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP by noon on Tuesday, September 16. If there’s interest, we’ll arrange carpools from St. John's to make the trip easier. As always, we are happy to arrange rides for Full Members, as needed. 

Social Hour at All Good Books (Date/Time is TBA)

In late September, The FriendShip will hold a social hour at All Good Books. This wonderful independent bookstore located in Five Points offers a pleasant meeting space in the back where we can visit and trade book recommendations. We're sure to leave with several new ideas for our reading lists! The social hour date will be announced soon. If you are interested in going, feel free to let the office know, and we'll call you to make sure you don't miss the date once it's announced. Members, volunteers, and guests are welcome!

Spread the Word about The FriendShip

Thank you to the Capital Rotary Club for inviting us to speak during August about The FriendShip. Our Board members, Delia Corrigan and Bill Robinson, enjoyed sharing information about our volunteering opportunities and what we do to help older adults in Columbia.

Thanks also to Jordyn Lombardo, Stephanie Randar, and Annelise Shick who spread the word about volunteering with The FriendShip at a recent USC School of Medicine event. 

If you know of a group that would enjoy hearing about our mission and volunteer opportunities, please contact the office via email or phone.

    Welcome New Board Members, Ken and Virginia!

The FriendShip is delighted to announce that two new members have joined our Board:

Ken McLeod has recently moved back to Columbia, where he was born, after raising his family in Charlotte, N.C. Recently retired, he has professional experience in the areas of technology sales and executive management with Cisco Systems Telecommunications, Inc. and also with MCI. He will also bring a wealth of volunteer experience to his role at The FriendShip, having served in various volunteer roles at his church and local community organizations in North Carolina. We are grateful to Ken for his willingness to take on the role of Treasurer.

Virginia Ravenel was born and raised in Columbia and is a graduate of the USC School of Law. She is employed as a staff attorney with South Carolina Legislative Council, which drafts legislation for members of the General Assembly. Prior to that she served as general counsel for the South Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program and worked for several out-of-state child welfare-focused nonprofit organizations. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where she participates in a variety of ministries and served on the Vestry from 2021-2024.

Thank You to Our Donors

We are grateful for the generous financial support which allows us to fulfill our mission of helping older adults. Thank you to August donors:

• Anonymous
• Absolute Total Care/Centene Corporation

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!