The FriendShip Newsletter - November 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.
Member & Volunteer Spotlight: Pat Dukes & Ally Hucek
Last month, we kicked off a new feature in our newsletter to spotlight our wonderful members and volunteers. Thanks to member Ann Humphries, who is on our Board and heads up our Communications & Outreach Team, for getting this feature going and for continuing to highlight some of the people who make our network so great. At our October lunch outing, Ann caught up with member Pat Dukes and volunteer Ally Hucek and took the opportunity to find out more about them and their involvement with The FriendShip.
Member Pat Dukes first heard about The FriendShip through The Shepherd’s Center where she has taken writing for years with other seniors; “Pat writes a good story,” says Ann Humphries. Pat celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this fall with three surprise parties including cakes and gifts. Native of Swansea, Pat often writes about her life growing up in Swansea. Lately, she’s been writing a poem a day. She lives in Forest Acres. Pat says “I love being around other people and making new friends. I attend most of The FriendShip’s activities, and I don’t have to bother family for rides.”
Volunteer Ally Hucek is a PhD student in USC’s Arnold School of Public Health, and her dissertation will address social isolation among older adults. She first became involved with The FriendShip last fall when she did a practicum as part of her studies. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Ally is taking advantage of her time in the Carolinas and recently biked with family all the way from Greenville to Asheville. She is also an “animal person” and is crazy about her King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Henry. (“We name our dogs after kings,” she says.) Ally affirms that she “loves, loves working with seniors.” She has enjoyed volunteering in a variety of ways from providing transportation and going on walks with members to helping with social media and preparing our annual report.
* Special note of thanks: Kudos to DeAndrea Cobb, the talented local photographer who volunteered her time to take these beautiful photos of Pat and Ally!
Build Our Volunteer Ranks! Pass Out Our New Recruitment Handouts!
The FriendShip is excited to announce that we have just printed newly designed business cards. We also have a volunteer flyer that can be shared in hard copy or electronically. Convenient and attractive, both of these handouts are perfect for spreading the word about our volunteer opportunities! Share them at your book group, supper club, choir practice, and more! Come by the office to pick some up today, or we’d be happy to send them to you. Help us connect with new volunteers!
October Activities Recap
The FriendShip had a varied and full calendar in October. Early in the month, we had our own little Oktoberfest by sampling schnitzel during this month's Dutch Treat Lunch at Julia's German Stammtisch. Then, we hosted a program about the Columbia Peace Pole Initiative with guest speaker Elaine Frick. Especially given current events, we enjoyed the opportunity to learn about this initiative and the newest peace pole that has been commissioned for Columbia. Finally, we had a beautiful Fall Walk at the Cayce Riverwalk. It was a gorgeous day, and it felt so good to be outside in the fresh air; everyone agreed that we should definitely take that lovely walk again sometime!
Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance
- Thursday, November 9 - "Ready! Get Set Up to Age in Your Home!" with Dr. Owens at 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, December 1 - Dutch Treat Lunch at 11:30 a.m. (Location TBA)
- Thursday, December 14 - Holiday Program with First Presbyterian Children's Choir at 3:30 p.m.
You can find a calendar of upcoming programs on our website as well.
Ready! Get Set Up to Age in Your Home! (Nov. 9)
We often hear that people want to age in their own homes for as long as possible, and that takes planning. So, please join The FriendShip on Thursday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m. for "Ready! Get Set Up to Age in Your Home!" with Dr. Shaun Owens from the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina. The program will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church downstairs in the Multipurpose Room.
This special presentation will highlight the most important considerations and low-cost, in-home changes that can be made to help you age safely in your home. Topics will include: what does it mean to age-in-place, what changes can be made in your home to reduce falls, and how can you use assistive technology to remain safe at home and connect with friends and family.
Speaker bio: Dr. Shaun Owens is an Associate Professor in the College of Social Work and the Director for Strategy and Innovation in the SmartHOME Center for Economic Excellence at USC. His research focuses on the development of smart and sustainable housing to help older adults age-in-place. Dr. Owens is also a Certified Aging in Place Specialist who consults privately on making homes safe and accessible for aging-in-place. Dr. Owens holds a Master of Public Health from Emory University and a PhD in Health Promotion Education and Behavior from USC. He is also a friend of The FriendShip, having served on our Board of Directors.
RSVP: If you haven’t already done so, please let us know if you plan to attend. To RSVP, email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434. Guests are welcome!
Happy Thanksgiving!
The FriendShip is thankful today and always for all of our members and volunteers! By participating in this caring network, we not only help one another but also learn so much from each other and have a lot of fun along the way! Thanks to all of you for your commitment, kindness, and generosity!
In honor of Thanksgiving, The FriendShip is planning to coordinate holiday deliveries and visits for members who would like them. Two of our amazing volunteers are putting together festive baskets of Thanksgiving goodies, and we are reaching out to all members to find out who would like to one. The baskets will include a small assortment of treats such as cookies, snack mix, fruit, and more. Please let the office know if you would enjoy a delivery and/or a visit during the week of Thanksgiving (i.e., Tuesday or Wednesday).
Office Reminder
The FriendShip's office will be closed on Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 in observance of Thanksgiving. Members, please keep this in mind when making service requests for right before and right after the holiday.
November is National Family Caregiver Month
As we take time out during this month of Thanksgiving to recognize all we have to be grateful for, we owe much gratitude to the many, many family caregivers who provide support and countless hours of care for their loved ones. Serving as a caregiver can be so rewarding and also very challenging. If you or someone you know serves as a caregiver, here are a few organizations that have information to help you take care of your loved one and yourself:
- Mental Health America has webinars and other resources to help family caregivers prioritize their own well-being.
- Leeza's Care Connection hosts local support groups for family caregivers.
- S.C. Department on Aging has information about resources for family caregivers in South Carolina, including respite funds.
Thank You to Our Donors
The generosity of our donors is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission! We are grateful for October donations from:
- Mary Denis Cauthen
- Barbara Mullen
- Sam Waldrep
If you're getting a head start on your holiday gift list, remember that donations can be made in honor of a loved one! Those thoughtful contributions make the perfect gift!
If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check to our office or donate online. Thank you for your support!
