The FriendShip Newsletter - March 2026
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: Jamie McCulloch
*Jamie is pictured above with volunteer Beatrice Maulfair, who wrote this spotlight feature.
Jamie McCulloch’s life has been defined by adventure, sisterhood, and gratitude. Originally from a military family—her dad served in the Navy—Jamie’s childhood was anything but ordinary. An only child, she lived in Michigan, Malta in the Mediterranean for three years, California, and eventually settled in Charleston at age 13. From 7th through 12th grade, she attended Charleston High School, where her roots in South Carolina truly began to grow.
Jamie attended the University of South Carolina from 1965–1968 and describes college as “a special time everyone should have,” filled with camaraderie and joy. Nearly 60 years later, she still meets regularly with an active Pi Beta Phi alumnae group for book club, lunch gatherings, and lifelong sisterhood. She lived in South Tower — which we have in common! — and later in Capstone her senior year. She fondly recalls skiing with friends when lessons, equipment, and lift tickets were all just $5.
Jamie worked for the University for 18 years as a computer programmer before transitioning into the role of Assistant Director of Travel. In that position, she helped coordinate trips around the world—Thailand, England, and Russia, which was her favorite. She still marvels at Russia’s rebuilt architecture and the breathtaking Amber Room, a memory that remains vivid decades later.
She met her husband, Mac, in 1968 at the Twilight Bar after a chance introduction. He called the next day, and the rest is history. A Columbia native and talented dancer—especially the Shag—Mac was patient and kind, and together they built a beautiful life. Jamie is lovingly known as “Auntie Jamie” to four cherished godchildren.
Jamie learned about The FriendShip through her church and her friend Barbara Mullen. After developing macular degeneration, she began using services for rides to treatments. “We all want to be independent,” she says. “The Friendship allows that. I would be hard pressed without it.”
Her joy comes from church, Bible study, lunches with friends, time with her rescued cats—especially her girl Tootsie, who never leaves her side—and visits to her godchildren in England. Jamie’s gratitude for the volunteers who make independence possible shines brightly, just like her enduring spirit.
February Recap: We LOVED This Month!
Our lunch at Railroad BBQ to begin this month was a hit. The food was delicious, and we will definitely be keeping this restaurant in our rotation!
In the middle of the month, Prisma Health dietician Lisa Akly offered a presentation entitled "The Heart Healthy Way." She covered a range of topics on how to eat healthily--from tips on incorporating a variety of healthful foods to reading food labels. She encouraged us not to get overwhelmed by food recommendations but to start with small changes that are accessible for us.
At the end of the month, members and volunteers checked out Riverbanks Zoo. It was another great opportunity to be reminded about how fun it is to learn something new. We enjoyed admiring all the amazing creatures at the zoo!
Valentine's Day Deliveries
We celebrated Valentine's Day this February by spreading some love to our members. Sam Waldrep and Caitlin Gerstein volunteered to make flower arrangements for members. What better way to show them how much we appreciate them on Valentine's Day than with beautiful pink flowers?! Many thanks to Sam, Caitlin, and all the volunteers who made the deliveries!
Welcome to our Public Health Student!
The FriendShip is excited to introduce a new student who will be working with us this semester. Caitlin Gerstein is a senior at USC in the Arnold School of Public Health and is volunteering with us as a part of her capstone project. She is from Annapolis, MD and is a pre-med student. After graduation she plans to conduct her own cardiac medical device research trial while applying to medical school. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks, needlepointing, and doing yoga and Pilates. Caitlin loves USC and living in Columbia. Recently, she and her roommates began trying a new restaurant every week as a way to make the most of their time here.
We know our members and volunteers will enjoy meeting Caitlin this semester as she volunteers, helps out in the office, and attends programs!
*Caitlin is pictured above with one of our members, Alice.
Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance
- Thursday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. - St. Patrick’s Day Social Hour
- Thursday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. - Women’s History Month Program
- Tuesday, April 7 at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch at Mr. Friendly's
- Sunday, April 12 - Annual Meeting Celebrating The FriendShip's 10th Anniversary
- Friday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m. - Spring Craft Social Hour
Additional info about April activities and beyond is coming! You can find an events calendar on our website as well.
St. Patrick's Day Social Hour: Stories & Photos from Irish Travels (Thurs., March 12)
Celebrate the spirit of Ireland with The FriendShip at our St. Patrick’s Day Social Hour!
Join us on Thursday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. in the St. John’s Dining Room for an afternoon of Irish charm, storytelling, and camaraderie. Jim Olsen—volunteer and member of our Program Committee—will take us on a captivating journey through Ireland as he shares stunning photos and memorable stories from his recent travels.
Enjoy festive light refreshments, warm conversation, and plenty of good cheer with friends old and new. Volunteers, members, and guests are all welcome—so bring a friend and join the fun! And of course, don’t forget to wear your green!
Please RSVP to the office at 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org.
Women's History Month Presentation on Clara Barton and Harriet Tubman (Thurs., March 26)
In honor of Women's History Month, The FriendShip will be hosting a special presentation given by Ann Humphries: "Who Knew? Clara Barton and Harriet Tubman in South Carolina during The Civil War." Ann will share the stories of these two influential and powerful women who worked in the Lowcountry around the same time and show us how to "track the literal and metaphorical footsteps they left across our state."
Join us on Thursday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at St. John's for this fascinating program, which is made possible with support from SC Humanities Council. The FriendShip is delighted to partner with the Council to make this program available to members, volunteers, and guests. Please spread the word to friends and family who might like to attend.
Speaker bio: Ann is a poet, hiker, and birder from Columbia who happens to be blind. Most recently, her poems have been published in Coastlines Poetry Anthology, James Dickey Review, Museum of Americana, and are forthcoming in North Dakota Review and Congaree National Park Anthology. She is a speaker-scholar through SC Humanities Council, and her papers are archived in the University of South Carolina special collections. Her 2020 debut collection, An Eclipse and a Butcher, was selected for publication by Muddy Ford Press, and her second collection, My Blind Obsession, was released by Class Publishing in Fall 2025.
RSVP info & other details: Please RSVP by noon on Tuesday, March 24 to The FriendShip office at 803-602-6434 or contact@thefriendship.org. If you would like a flyer to help spread the word about this special Women's History Month program, please contact the office.
Annual Meeting on April 12: Celebrating The FriendShip's 10th Anniversary
Save the date! On Sunday, April 12, The FriendShip will hold our Annual Meeting & 10th Anniversary Celebration. All members, volunteers, and other supporters are invited to honor this wonderful milestone together. Join us to thank those who have made our first decade possible, as well as to look ahead towards the future. We will meet in the afternoon in the community room of the King's Grant Neighborhood. More details (including the exact time of the event) are forthcoming.
Reminder to Members: Tips for Making Service Requests
Here are a few tips and reminders about making service requests:
- Please make all requests through the office and request services with at least three days’ advance notice--more notice is helpful and always appreciated.
- When requesting a ride, let us know if you plan to make more than one stop.
- When requesting a ride, let us know if you have back-to-back appointments so our volunteers can plan accordingly. If you have information about how long you expect an appointment to last, that information is also helpful, if available.
- We often find that we have more volunteer capacity in the afternoons than in the morning. (Please schedule services when needed and best for you; we are just mentioning this information about volunteer capacity for times when you have flexibility.)
If there are any details that would ensure your comfort and safety, please let us know.
Resources and Opportunities of Interest
AARP Tax-Aide is a free tax preparation service, and The Lourie Center is a host site with appointments on Mondays and Fridays through April 13. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 803-250-5751.
The South Carolina Sports Classic is coming up on April 10 - May 7. Anyone ages 40+ is invited to sign up for events such as pickleball, cornhole, tennis, bowling, golf, and even chair volleyball. Participation ranges from those who are highly competitive athletes to those who are more interested in playing recreationally. Click here to learn more and register online by April 1.
Thank You to Our Donors
Gifts allow us to serve the older adults in our community every day! We are grateful for February donations from:
- Stan & Elaine Frick in honor of Mike Leonard
- Family of Ann & Walt Gregg
- Homes for the Holidays Tour
- Barbara Mullen in honor of Stan Frick
- Maria Patton
- Ruth B. Smith
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!
