Date: Thu 16-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

FISH-drivers-Goodrich-Tyler

Full Text:

FISH Volunteers A Driving Force In Behalf Of Homebound Residents

BY DOROTHY EVANS

To hear FISH (Friends In Service Here) treasurer Al Goodrich describe the

Newtown volunteer organization that provides health care transportation for

needy residents, one wonders how the group has managed to keep going these

past 30 years.

There are no meetings, Mr Goodrich says.

"We run it the way we want to. It's the loosest organization that ever existed

-- almost as loose as the Newtown Men's Club," he joked.

Yet, there are more than 20 regular FISH drivers, dedicated retired residents

who have volunteered to give two half-days a month to be included on the FISH

schedule.

This means they are available on a specific day, should any Newtown person

need transportation to and from a doctor's appointment or a therapy session.

If something comes up, and they are unable to drive on their appointed day,

they call a substitute FISH driver -- any one of seven or eight other

residents who have volunteered for that short list.

"We don't meet, we just do it," Mr Goodrich said, describing the committed

attitude of Newtown's FISH volunteers.

Needed: More Drivers

And More Money

Amazingly, there is no real monetary support for FISH beyond what the group

receives periodically from the Lions Club, from church donations or from

clients' occasional expressions of goodwill.

Yet FISH spends approximately $960 a year to pay the Danbury answering service

that refers FISH clients' calls, and in 1998 that monthly bill is going to

rise by $8.

"We need postage to communicate with drivers about schedules, and we need to

pay the phone bill," Mr Goodrich said.

FISH president Steve Tyler says the organization has another need beside money

that is perhaps even more important.

"We could sure use more drivers. If we had eight more, we could go back to

five days," Mr Tyler said, referring to the current Monday-through-Thursday

schedule.

Despite these budget and manpower constraints, FISH is fulfilling a real need

in the community. In 1997 alone, Mr Tyler said, "We had a total of 523 calls

for help from Newtown residents who needed rides. That's six or seven calls a

day, if you don't count Fridays, weekends and holidays."

Where did the name FISH come from?

Friends In Service Here (FISH) has chapters nationwide, but Newtown seems to

be the only area town where FISH is still active.

"I think it was started about 30 years ago by a fellow named Fritz Freeman,

who now lives in Southbury and was the first FISH president. He brought the

idea in from Massachusetts," Mr Tyler said.

"That's what is so great about Newtown. That people can move in with a good

idea, and there will be support."

It began as an outreach program from a group of Trinity Church members. He

added, "The people at St Rose Catholic Church have picked up and joined FISH

enthusiastically."

Who are FISH clients?

A FISH client is anyone "with a need," irregardless of age or financial

circumstances "who is unable to drive himself or herself to a doctor's

appointment," Mr Tyler said.

Often a FISH client has become isolated in some way and does not have a close

friend or relative to provide a ride on a regular basis. Many FISH clients

need to make frequent trips for radiation and chemotherapy treatment, or for

physical therapy.

Who are the FISH volunteers?

There are about 20 regular drivers and six or seven substitutes. Some, like

Mary Jo Tyler, have been doing it for many years; some are more recent

volunteers.

Steve Tyler described the typical FISH volunteer in the following manner.

"You take early retirement, and you have time on your hands and you want to do

something constructive. But you don't want something that's on too regular a

schedule. It confines you. Driving for FISH, you are free to set your own

schedule," he said.

What is it like being a FISH driver?

Mary Jo Tyler says, simply, "I love it. I got him [Steve Tyler] into it. The

clients are usually glad to chat. I've been driving 12 years, at least, and I

really enjoy it."

"Most of us feel that way, otherwise we wouldn't do it," Mrs Tyler added.

How often do you have to drive?

"We drive right around the year, though not on holidays."

"It goes in spurts," Mr Tyler said. "People may have a particular medical

problem and need regular treatment for radiation, chemotherapy or physical

therapy and rehabilitation.

"We try not to schedule our regular drivers for more than two FISH calls a

month," he said.

You can volunteer for whatever days you feel are convenient, and if something

happens that makes you ineligible to drive, you can always get a substitute.

"Just go to the list."

"Some of our substitutes end up driving more often than the regulars," Mr

Tyler said.

Like Boggs Hill Road resident Bob Poulin, who can usually be counted upon at a

moment's notice but doesn't want to be listed as a regular driver.

This time of year, from January through March, "we always need to increase our

list of substitutes. People go away, or they become ill and don't want to go

out," Mr Tyler said.

What happens when a FISH client must see a doctor on a Friday?

The American Cancer Society has two Newtown drivers that will take clients on

Fridays, but they, too, are suffering a shortage of drivers, Mr Tyler said.

"Sometimes the Cancer Society even calls our answering service and puts in a

request for a FISH driver to help."

Both FISH and the American Cancer Society are under the aegis of the Western

Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross, and many of their volunteers

are drawn from RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program).

"There are a lot of opportunities for volunteers who work through RSVP, and

you only have to be 50 to qualify," he added.

Are FISH drivers insured?

Yes, they are fully covered while driving FISH clients in their own cars by an

RSVP umbrella policy. They can do that because we accept no fees for driving,

he said.

"We do, however, accept donations from a variety of sources, including any

clients who wish to do so."

How does FISH recruit volunteers?

Every time we make a face-to-face appeal, we get more drivers.

"The Sunday before Christmas, I spoke at Trinity and said we had 20 `odd'

drivers and needed more. The congregation laughed, and we got three volunteers

right then and there. Odd or even, we welcome all volunteers," Mr Tyler said.

How far do FISH drivers have to travel? How long?

"We don't do Yale New Haven, New York City or Bridgeport," he said.

Most appointments take two to three hours by the time a client is picked up,

driven to the destination, seen by the doctor and then driven home.

"In a way, you could say we are a valuable support network for the local

medical profession," Mr Tyler noted.

What do you do if there are too many calls on a certain day and not enough

drivers?

"We double up, that is, take two clients at once, which usually means

different times and destinations for one ride."

"It's a little easier on the drivers, but it's harder on the clients."

FISH volunteer drivers are available Mondays through Thursdays. At least a day

before a ride is needed. People are asked to call 798-5832. Anyone interested

in volunteering for FISH should call Steve or Mary Jo Tyler at 426-0827.