The FriendShip Newsletter - November 2021Office InformationContact Info: 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org Regular Hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Recent Program Recap & Look AheadThank you to The FriendShip's Program Committee for putting together such a great lineup of programs over the past several months examining the topic of "flourishing." Last month, members and volunteers enjoyed exploring the idea of "Physical Flourishing" with Lisa Smarr from the Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC). It felt great to try out the exercises she shared! For more information on free exercise classes offered through the RCRC, call the Adult Activity Center at 803-462-9995. The FriendShip office also has copies of Lisa's flyers. We are looking forward to more opportunities to gather together and learn together in the upcoming months! Check out what's in store for November! Events-at-a-Glance
(Please note that the previously announced outing to the SC State Museum on November 18 has been postponed.) * As a reminder, in order to best protect one another, The FriendShip requires that everyone who is able (including those who are fully immunized) wear a face mask during programs (as well as during meetings and services). Chat with Tomorrow's Doctors Today (Nov. 17)A group of student volunteers from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine will join us for an informal discussion about their experiences in medical school on Wednesday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. It should be a fun, interactive opportunity for the students, our members, and our volunteers to get to know one another a little bit. The students will take the opportunity to share information about how the pandemic has impacted their education and training. And, we know our members and volunteers have a lot they can share with the students about what it takes to age in place! Feel free to bring your questions as well. This program will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church. Please let us know if you can attend by contacting The FriendShip office at 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org. RSVPs would be appreciated by noon on Tuesday, November 16. The FriendShip is happy to provide rides for members who need them. Social Hour (Nov. 30)Our October Social Hour was a lot of fun! We chatted about Halloween memories and made goodie bags together that included plenty of healthy and sweet treats. We are in for another real treat at the November Social Hour! One of our FriendShip volunteers who is known for his amazing holiday decorations has invited us to gather at his house. Don't miss what promises to be a lovely afternoon get-together with other FriendShip members and volunteers! Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details! The Social Hour will be on Tuesday, November 30 at 2:00 p.m., and RSVPs are requested by Monday, November 29 at noon. Giving Thanks & Thanksgiving/Holiday PlansThe upcoming Thanksgiving holiday gives us a special time to focus on all we have to be thankful for, and, at The FriendShip, that means recognizing the amazing people who make up our caring network. Thanks to all our members, volunteers, and other supporters for your involvement and dedication! As Thanksgiving approaches, The FriendShip is planning to coordinate holiday deliveries/visits. These were a big hit last year! We are reaching out to all members and volunteers to find out who would like to participate. Please let the office know if you would enjoy a delivery/visit and if you would like to volunteer to help out! Also, members are encouraged to let us know if you would like help putting up holiday decorations this season! We have a group of students who might be available to help, if there is enough interest. Finally, the month of November also includes both Veterans Day and Family Caregiver Month. The FriendShip network certainly includes people who fall into both of these groups, and we would like to recognize your hard work, bravery, and compassion. Thank you! Office AnnouncementsThe FriendShip office will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 for Thanksgiving. Special request to members: Please try to submit service requests for the week of November 29 as early the week before as possible (or sooner). The FriendShip is Actively Seeking New Volunteers!Help us recruit more volunteers during our fall volunteer drive! The FriendShip's volunteers make a huge difference every day for older adults who just need an extra helping hand to live independently. There are so many ways to help out--from driving our members to appointments, to providing light home maintenance or technology support, running errands, sharing a friendly chat, and more! Please help us spread the word about this fun, meaningful, and flexible volunteer opportunity to help us meet growing needs and expand our reach in the community! If there is an individual you can recruit to volunteer or a group (e.g., book club, Bible study class) you think would like an outreach presentation, please let the office know so we can follow up and/or share our volunteer flyer, which is available on our website. Or, you can text or email a link to the flyer: https://bit.ly/3iCRMx2. Fun-Friends-Fund-Raiser!Would you like a chance to win some amazing prizes and support The FriendShip's mission at all once?! Your opportunity is around the corner! The FriendShip's Fundraising Committee is putting together a raffle as a year-end fundraiser, and tickets will be on sale soon. There will be some awesome prizes up for grabs! Keep your eyes out for more details (and then help us spread the word!) on this fun way to help The FriendShip raise funds and friends! A Double Shot in the Arm!Since the holidays are around the corner, it is time to make sure you are protected from seasonal illnesses! Be sure to get your flu shot as soon as possible to protect yourself and those around you. Getting the flu shot can not only prevent you from contracting the flu but also make it less likely that those around you will be exposed as well. In addition to that important flu shot, the CDC and health organizations around the world are recommending a Covid-19 booster shot. Why do we need a booster? The immunity we developed from getting our original vaccine will wane and lessen over time. The booster, which is simply a third dose of the original vaccine, helps maintain immunity and protect us from infection. Those who are eligible currently to receive their Covid-19 booster shot are people with compromised immune systems and all people over the age of 65 years. It is recommended to receive the booster shot at least six months after your last Covid-19 vaccination. Regardless of which vaccine you originally received (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson), you can get any of the approved booster shots from these sources as approved by the FDA. Please contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about which booster you should receive. Both flu shots and booster shots are readily available in our area! More information on locations and appointments can be found at vaccines.gov. The FriendShip is happy to assist members who need help with scheduling or getting to their vaccination appointments! Sharing Resources & OpportunitiesMembers and volunteers of The FriendShip often learn about resources and opportunities they'd like to share with others in the network. Here are several things that may be of interest!
Support The FriendShip When You Shop on Amazon!There's an easy way to support The FriendShip when you shop on Amazon! Click here to designate The FriendShip as your favorite charitable organization and Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to us when you shop! Once you've registered, you do have to be sure to shop at smile.amazon.com (and not just at amazon.com). |