The FriendShip Newsletter - August 2024
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: Caroline and Lynn Aughtry
The FriendShip has a mother and daughter enrolled as members. Caroline Aughtry, the mother, has been a member for four years. When talking about The FriendShip, she says that “the word I would use is 'gratitude' for the kind, compassionate volunteers. I have many friends who will drive me, but after asking them so many times, it’s a relief to be able to call The FriendShip" for help.
Having grown up in Columbia, Caroline has deep roots here and she and her high school friends still meet regularly for lunch. She likes to walk, garden, and attend her church.
Lynn has been a member for three years. “The FriendShip drives me to physical therapy and doctor's appointments. If I didn’t have The FriendShip, I’d be stuck at home. Every volunteer who has driven me is extremely nice and helpful."
Lynn was an avid traveler and beautiful knitter, and has served on the Board of Family Promise. She loves her adorable little dog, Elsie. Volunteers have gotten to know Elsie too, since they regularly take her to the groomer and the vet.
Caroline and Lynn have so graciously thanked The FriendShip for our help with things like transportation and technology assistance, and we want them to know that their participation has enriched our community as well. We are extremely glad to have Caroline and Lynn as members.
July Program Recap
The FriendShip kicked off the month of July with lunch at Railroad BBQ. After enjoying a great meal there, we can certainly agree with the restaurant's slogan: they do serve "the Best Darn BBQ!" We had a really great turnout too!
In the middle of the month, a group of members, volunteers, and guests visited the Olympia Mill Village Museum to learn more about this unique aspect of Columbia's history. The tour guide, Sherri Jaco, was so knowledgeable and attentive. If you haven't already been there, we highly recommend visiting the house museum, annex with info about Olympia High School, and outdoor exhibits too.
Considering how hot the July temperatures have been, our "Summer Vacation Photos" Social Hour was the perfect way to celebrate summer while staying inside in the air-conditioning. It was fun to hear stories about trips to wonderful places, including the Florida beach, Acadia National Park, the Greenbrier Inn in West Virginia, Texas, Italy, and Japan. To those who came, thank you for sharing!
August/September Events-at-a-Glance
- Tuesday, August 13 at 11:30 a.m. - Dutch Treat Lunch at DiPrato's
- Thursday, August 15 at 2:00 p.m. - Writers Group
- Thursday, August 22 at 2:00 p.m. - FoodShare Tour
- Wednesday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m. - "School Memories" Social Hour
- Friday, September 6 at 11:30 a.m. - Dutch Treat Lunch at Chicken Salad Chick
- Tuesday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. - Presentation by the League of Women Voters
- Thursday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m. - Writers Group
- Thursday, September 26 at 2:00 p.m. - Social Hour
You can find an events calendar on our website as well.
Lunch at DiPrato's (August 13)
Join our August Dutch Treat Lunch at DiPrato's Delicatessen on Tuesday, August 13 at 11:30 a.m. This restaurant has been a Columbia favorite for 20 years, and FriendShip friends love it too. Come enjoy delicious sandwiches, paninis, and salads with other members and volunteers. Guests are welcome!
RSVPs would be appreciated by noon on Monday, August 12. Contact the office at contact@thefriendship.org or 803-602-6434 to let us know if you plan to attend.
* Please note the new date for this lunch (which was previously scheduled for August 6); we rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Writers Group Meeting (August 15)
Earlier this summer, The FriendShip started a writers group, and we've had two sessions so far. The group is meeting on a monthly basis (the third Thursday of the month) and is led by Dr. Betty Mandell, a retired clinical psychologist, who is a writer and a FriendShip member.
In July, participants began sharing pieces of their own writing. The next session will be on Thursday, August 15 at 2:00 p.m. The location is TBA. This is a welcoming group and open to people with various levels of writing experience. You can join even if you haven't made it to the past meetings.
For info on where the group will meet and to RSVP, please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org.
FoodShare Tour (August 22)
FoodShare South Carolina is an amazing organization that works to expand access to and consumption of nutritious food. Join The FriendShip for a special field trip to learn more about their innovative programs, such as their fresh fruit and veggie boxes, Culinary Medicine Program, and more! We will get a behind-the-scenes look at their new Teaching Kitchen and Richland County Distribution Hub that opened earlier this year.
The FriendShip's visit to FoodShare is scheduled for Thursday, August 22 at 2:00 p.m. Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 20 at noon by emailing contact@thefriendship.org or calling at 803-602-6434.
"School Memories" Social Hour (August 28)
Join other FriendShip members and volunteers for our August Social Hour. Guests are welcome too! Since this is the "back to school" season, we will be sharing elementary school memories this month. What was your favorite subject? Which teacher impacted your life? You can bring an anecdote to share or a school photo--or both! This promises to be a fun way to get to know one another and spend time together. We will meet on Wednesday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John's. Please call 803-602-6434 or email contact@thefriendship.org to RSVP.
Thank You to Our Donors
The generosity of our donors is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission! We are grateful for July donations from:
- The Law Offices of Kenneth Berger
Faye Mixon
Barbara Mullen
Mary Moore Roberson
If you would like to make a donation, you can always mail a check to our office or donate on our website. Thank you for your support!
