The FriendShip Newsletter - January 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.
Want to Win Some Cash for the New Year?!
Here's your chance to win big... The FriendShip's 50/50 Raffle! Tickets are just $10 each. And, the GRAND PRIZE will be 50% of the proceeds!
Click here to buy raffle tickets online. Or, contact The FriendShip office at 803-602-6434 to buy tickets via cash or check. Sales end January 31 at 6:00 p.m. The prize will be given in February.
The more you buy, the better the chance to win--and the more support for The FriendShip!
Volunteer Spotlight: Trey Spong
Trey Spong learned about The FriendShip at a dinner party with one of the founders, Ann Ruderman. "I remembered how she talked about The FriendShip, so I made a note for when I retired.” Then, a little over a year ago, he followed up by filling out a volunteer application--and he's enjoyed helping FriendShip members ever since.
Trey is a native of Columbia, eldest of six children. An attorney by trade, he practiced law in Fairfield County and for three years with the Department of Social Services; he notes “I like courtroom work.” Now in retirement, he plays lots of tennis, enjoys church at Trinity Cathedral, and reading. He especially wants to spend time with family: daughters, grandchildren, and “my lovely wife, Elizabeth.”
He has volunteered with The FriendShip mostly by providing transportation and helping members with small chores around the house (such as tightening screws on a screen door and replacing smoke alarm batteries) and also joined the Policy Committee this year. Members appreciate his kindness.
Trey says: “What I like is there is never any pressure. You fit The FriendShip into your schedule. I even drove a gold medal Olympian.” He also says the services coordinator, Eleanor Stein, makes volunteering easy and pleasant. He concludes, “Keeping people active and engaged in the community is meaningful.”
December Activities Recap
During what can often be a hectic holiday month, The FriendShip's December programs offered the perfect opportunity to slow down and enjoy time with one another--as well as celebrate the festive time of year.
We kicked off the month with a lunch gathering at Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Café. There's a reason why this restaurant is a longtime Five Points favorite; the food is delicious and the atmosphere is fun!
Later in the month, we enjoyed a Holiday Program featuring the First Presbyterian Church's Children's Choir. It was a joy to hear the children's voices, and the Christmas carol singalong lifted our spirits from "Deck the Halls" to "The Christmas Song" and so many more! Special thanks to the Program Committee for bringing refreshments as well as supplies so that we could assemble treat bags for each of our guest singers.
The FriendShip is on Instagram
The FriendShip is upping our social media game. We are now on Instagram. Be sure to check us out @thefriendshipcola. Spread the word!
Office Reminder
The FriendShip's office will be closed on Monday, January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Members, please keep this in mind when making service requests around the holiday.
Upcoming Events-at-a-Glance
- Tuesday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. - "Tales of a Frustrated Pirate: A Chemical Oceanographer Shares Stories from the Field"
- Tuesday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m. - Valentine's Day Cards for Veterans
- Thursday, February 8 at 11:30 a.m. - Dutch Treat Lunch at Ruby Sunshine
- Friday, February 16 - Visit the Botanical Gardens at Riverbanks (time TBA/rain date is February 23)
- Wednesday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. - Afternoon Social Hour
You can find an events calendar on our website as well.
Tales of a Frustrated Pirate (Jan. 16)
Dr. Tim Shaw, a professor at USC, will provide an engaging afternoon presentation entitled "Tales of a Frustrated Pirate: A Chemical Oceanographer Shares Stories from the Field." Don't worry! You don't have to know anything about chemistry to enjoy this program. Dr. Shaw, who happens to be married to one of our wonderful volunteers, will share some interesting stories from his years as a chemical oceanographer. He and his family traveled the world on the Semester at Sea Program, and we know there must be plenty of stories from that adventure and many more! Members, volunteers, and guests are welcome.
The program will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at St. John’s Episcopal Church. RSVPs are not required but would be appreciated by noon on Monday, January 15. Email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434 to let us know if you can make it. As always, we are happy to arrange rides for members who need them.
Valentine's Day Cards for Veterans (Jan. 30)
Each month, The FriendShip holds an Afternoon Social Hour, and we often have a special discussion topic or activity. This month, the focus of our gathering will be to spend time together and to make Valentine's Day cards for veterans. Last year, we had a lot of fun with this project, visiting with one another while cutting and pasting.
So even if you don't fancy yourself a crafter, please join us for this meaningful service activity. We'll have plenty of pink and red hearts (and more!) on hand with which to decorate! The program will be held on Tuesday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church. To RSVP, email contact@thefriendship.org or call 803-602-6434.
Holiday Gifts & Visits Bring Cheer!
At Christmas time, The FriendShip organized holiday deliveries and visits for members. We are very grateful to Carol Barnett and Terri Robertson who gave so much time and talent to creating the Christmas packages and the Thanksgiving ones as well. The goodie bags were, once again, presented so beautifully. Our members were touched by the time and thoughtfulness that went into the gifts:
- From the cheese straws to the Christmas napkins, "everything was used and appreciated."
- "What a pleasure it was to receive such a lovely package."
- "It was a wonderful surprise... I enjoyed the goodies."
Another member shared that it was special to receive something that she hadn't picked out for herself, noting that the gift and attention were most welcome at this stage of her life.
Members and volunteers alike enjoyed socializing with one another during the visits too! Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped with the visits/deliveries and to Trader Joe's on Forest Drive for donating the plants!
Thank You to Our Donors
The generosity of our donors is critical to our ability to fulfill our mission! We are grateful for December donations from:
- Anonymous
- Barbara & Mark Catoe
- Angeline G. Demoss
- Pat Dukes
- Stan & Elaine Frick
- Jill Ann Grote
- Ann-Chadwell Humphries
- Paul McCullough
- Sandra Polanski
- Lee Rambo
- Douglas J. Rosinski, Esq., Inc.
- Julie & David Ruff
- Linda & Alvin Strasburger
- Joy Tucker
- Thomas Wagner
If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check to our office or donate online. Thank you for your support!
Resources of Interest
- The Shepherd's Center of Columbia has just started its "Adventures in Learning Series" winter session. The classes meet on Wednesdays from January 10-March 6. There are classes on a wide variety of topics--world religions, estate planning, origami, and so much more. For more info or to register, visit the website or call 803-779-4449.
- The Ark of SC is offering the Powerful Tools for Caregivers Telehealth Class once a week for six weeks starting January 16. This online educational program is designed to help you take care of yourself while caring for a loved one. The series is free and meets weekly from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The classes are offered via Zoom, and caregivers must have their own computer with webcam and microphone to participate. For more info or to register, call Jan Hyatt at 843-822-4703.
