June 2026 Newsletter

Thank You for an Incredible Midlands Gives!

The results from our Midlands Gives campaign this year were amazing, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you to everyone who donated and spread the word. Together, we raised over $32,000 from over 120 donors. That’s more than ever before! We are thrilled to have received such a strong show of support and excited to put these donations to work helping older adults in our community.

Here are other important campaign highlights:

• Thanks to generous supporters, The FriendShip had $16,000 in matching funds available this year. We met the match and then some!
• A third of our 120 donors were first-time supporters, showing that we are reaching more supporters to help us grow and expand.
• Five volunteers created individual fundraiser pages to solicit donations on our behalf. Thank you to Scarlett Herbkersman, Ann Humphries, Ken McLeod, Rolfe Olsen, and Virginia Ravenel.
• Three local businesses contributed to our campaign: Anchor Investment Management, Crave Artisan Specialty Market, and Realtor Scarlett Herbkersman. Please thank these businesses for supporting our mission!
• We were the lucky winner of a “giving day” prize coordinated by the Central Carolina Community foundation: a $1,000 Southeastern Freight Lines Milestone Prize.

We would especially like to thank our Midlands Gives planning team volunteers who helped implement this year’s campaign: Sam Waldrep, Barbara Catoe, Delia Corrigan, Scarlett Herbkersman, and Rosalyn Swan. 

As we celebrate The FriendShip’s success, we also applaud the remarkable achievements of Midlands Gives as a whole. This year’s campaign was record-breaking, raising nearly $5 million for nonprofits throughout the region. We are proud to be part of this community-wide movement and grateful for all the nonprofits who work to make the Midlands a vibrant place to call home

Shoutout to these local businesses for supporting our Midlands Gives Campaign!

Marvelous May: Quality Time Together & Stimulating Programs

Members and volunteers enjoyed gathering on May 8 for a Mother's Day Potluck Lunch. Guests brought dishes in honor of a mother figure in their lives, which made the meal feel especially meaningful. It was fun to hear the stories and memories that went along with all the delicious food from cornbread muffins to homemade lemon squares and more. Our time together was filled with laughter and good conversation. 

Later in the month, on May 19, David Hodges joined us for an entertaining history lesson on the Glenn Springs Hotel in Spartanburg County. He is writing a book on this topic, and we loved hearing all the interesting stories and facts from his research. It was an enjoyable afternoon for anyone interested in local history, and it was neat to have guests in the audience who were personally familiar with the hotel and the springs. We are grateful to our guest speaker for sharing his time and knowledge with us so generously.  

Thanks to our Program Committee for organizing such great events. We look forward to more engaging programs in the upcoming summer months!

Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance

• Tuesday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. - Bird Photography Exhibit at the State Museum 
• Wednesday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch at DiPrato's
• Wednesday, July 8 at 11:30 a.m.  - Lunch at Three Notch'd Brewery & Craft Kitchen
• Tuesday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. - S.C. Historian's Presentation in Honor of the U.S. 250th Anniversary
• Thursday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m. - Afternoon Social Hour

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

Bird Photographer of the Year Exhibit (June 16)

The FriendShip network includes a lot of birding enthusiasts, so we are really excited to explore the Bird Photographer of the Year exhibit at the S.C. State Museum on Tuesday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. The exhibition features 70 award-winning photographs captured by both amateur and professional photographers from around the world. Join us to enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of our feathered friends.

Members, volunteers, and guests are welcome! The State Museum offers portable stools, wheelchairs, and rollators on a first-come, first-served basis to make the facility accessible, and FriendShip volunteers will be onsite to assist those who need to minimize walking distances. So, if you are interested in this outing, please join us! Entrance to the bird photography exhibit is included with the purchase of a general admission ticket ($13 for adults and $11 for seniors 62+). 

To RSVP, please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org. As always, we are happy to arrange rides for Full Members or carpools, as needed.

Lunch at DiPrato's (June 24)

You are invited to join FriendShip friends for lunch at Columbia's favorite delicatessen. We'll meet at DiPrato's on Wednesday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. Known for its famous pimento cheese and pita chips, delicious sandwiches, and welcoming atmosphere, DiPrato’s offers the perfect setting for our lunch out. We hope to see you there!

Please RSVP by Monday, June 22 at noon by calling 803-602-6434 or emailing contact@thefriendship.org.

Thank You to Our Donors

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on community support to fulfill our mission. Generous donors are critical partners in our work to help older adults lead independent lives.

As noted earlier in this newsletter, over 120 donors contributed to The FriendShip via the online giving platform during our Midlands Gives campaign, and we are so grateful! In addition to those online gifts, we also received donations during May from:

• Pat & Jane Blackwell
• Robert & Irene Booth
• Carolyn Brown
• Leslie Coolidge
• Gwendolyn Galphin
• David Hodges
• Jim & Shirley Knight
• Faye Mixon
• Terri Robertson in memory of Ruth Smith 
• Maria Sophocleous
• Dana Turner 
• Beronica Whisnant in honor of her friends

Memorial Tribute: Ruth B. Smith

Ruth B. Smith, a longtime member and volunteer of The FriendShip, passed away last month. She will be fondly remembered by all of us who had the chance to get to know her over the years. Her positive outlook, desire to serve others, and strong faith were an inspiration and set a powerful example for her friends and family.

Ruth was a member of our Program Committee and a strong ambassador for The FriendShip. Volunteers especially enjoyed spending time with her, whether delivering a FoodShare box, walking in the woods near her house, or driving her to exercise class. They knew her to be a special lady who always willingly expressed her gratitude and was eager to share her stories and wisdom. One volunteer shared this sentiment which is echoed by so many who knew and loved her: "I have been so blessed to have had her in my life. She lived her life to the fullest … we all should live like Ruth."

Resources of Interest

Check out these tips and upcoming opportunities passed along by FriendShip friends and partners:

Voter Info for June 9 Election - Primary Election Day is coming up soon. Check out this new voter information website for all the details you need to know from checking your voter registration status to finding out what will be on the ballot: www.southcarolinavoterguide.com.(Contact The FriendShip office if you need a ride to the polls!)

Helpful USPS Service - Did you know you could sign up to get a notification each morning of what to expect in your mail delivery? The "USPS Informed Delivery" service is an easy-to-use app that will help you track packages, manage incoming mail, and more! Click here to learn more or visit the USPS website and search "Informed Delivery."

Chef-Led Cooking Demo - Join AARP South Carolina for a special event called "Cafe Voyage: Taste of the Carolinas." Chef Pearl will show participants how to use local ingredients to make delicious, Southern-inspired meals on Thursday, June 11 from 11:00-2:00 at Busby Street Community Center. For more info, email scaarp@aarp.org, or click here to sign up!  (If you'd like to attend with FriendShip friends, let the office know, and we can try to organize a small group.)

Share Dementia Care Experiences - The USC Brain Health and Patient Engagement Studio is looking for participants to share their experiences with dementia care in South Carolina. Patients, providers, caregivers, and healthcare staff are all invited and encouraged to participate via virtual interviews. Share your story to help improve support and services for this population. For info, please contact smbrink@sc.edu.