FISH-ing For Volunteers––

Drivers Needed To Take Residents To Doctor Appointments

By Dottie Evans

Imagine a volunteer group with no meetings and no fundraising, only good works.

There exists in Newtown a quiet service organization of this kind that provides rides for any resident who needs transportation to a doctor appointment, therapy session, or any other medical necessity.

FISH (Friends In Service Here) of Newtown was organized in 1969 as a charitable organization. A small but loyal cadre of FISH volunteers have committed themselves over the years to driving two days a month, providing their own reliable automobiles, insurance, and gasoline.

But times have changed since 1969, and Newtown’s population explosion has drastically increased the demand for FISH volunteer services. In short, the needs have skyrocketed.

Where once it was enough to schedule two FISH drivers per day, now three a day are needed.

“A few years ago, I remember that the number of FISH calls held steady at about 500 per year,” said Al Goodrich, longtime FISH volunteer.

“Lately, we’ve been at 1,000 calls a year –– twice our former amount,” he added.

“In addition,” points out volunteer Mary Mitchell, “more than three quarters of our volunteer drivers are over retirement age,” and they should not be asked to put in additional days.

As of September 2003, there were approximately 14 regular FISH volunteers on the roster, backed up by 14 substitute drivers. These individuals are mostly older town residents who are flexible during the daytime hours and can commit a regular slot of time twice a month. Some are younger residents who manage to set aside two days to drive for FISH each month.

FISH Vice President Ellen Parella has also noted the need for more volunteers.

“It is not uncommon to have from five to nine requests for rides on any single day. Obviously, two drivers a day cannot handle that many requests. We badly need additional drivers,” said Mrs Parella.

Mrs Parella added that residents who have adult children working or living in town or nearby are expected to ask these individuals to drive them to their various appointments.

“We hope the FISH drivers will be called only if there is no alternative available,” Ms Parella added.

The only cost the FISH organization regularly incurs is to engage a telephone answering service to take calls from potential clients and relay them to the drivers. This cost is defrayed by donations from local service organizations or from the clients, who are asked to contribute a small amount each time they are given a ride. The FISH drivers do not accept any remuneration for themselves in the form of tips. All contributions to the organization are tax deductible.

Transportation is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. FISH does not drive on Fridays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or on New Year’s Day.

Anyone who would like to volunteer as a FISH driver or substitute driver or who would like more information is asked to call Doris Bulmer, president, at 426-4254; or Ellen K Parrella, vice president, at 426-6470; or Albert S Goodrich, treasurer, at 486-0493; or Mary Mitchell, secretary, at 270-9135.

Portraits Of FISH Drivers

FISH Driver Tom Cassin is a retired chemical engineer, who began volunteering some six or seven years ago. He reports that the flexible schedule fits in well with his other pastimes.

“When Alan Mitchell of Trinity Church asked me to drive two or three times a month, I was happy to do it. I meet very nice and interesting people, and I find it most enlightening to learn how people cope. I have a sense of humor and so do the patients,” Mr Cassin said.

“We have a great time chatting, especially when a patient is about my age and we can reminisce. People who cannot get around by themselves are in need of someone to talk to and the time passes quickly that way,” he added.

  “When you see the need that exists you feel an obligation and it is not something you drop easily. It is great to see them [the patients] again when they are better, and you meet by chance at the supermarket or elsewhere in town.”

Mr Cassin is a careful and conscientious driver.

 “I always get there a little early and find that the client is already waiting. I admire their positive spirits. I’ve never had anyone who did not appreciate the ride.”

When Dick and Pat Parrott both retired, they noticed an article in The Newtown Bee headlined “Volunteer Drivers Needed,” and they recognized that this was something they could both do to help out in their community.

“We figured we could spend about two days per month, approximately three hours at a time, and we encourage others to do it also,” said Mrs Parrott.

“Newtown is a very friendly town and it is organizations like FISH that keep it that way. Geographically, this is one of the largest towns in Connecticut, and this is a good way to keep connected.”

Occasionally, both Mr and Mrs Parrott drive on the same day. One may drive in the morning and one in the afternoon, depending on that day’s needs.

“Some people require a lot of care and help,” said Mrs Parrott, adding, “you appreciate your own health when you see other people who are sick.”

“We have a lot to be thankful for, and we like to give something back to the town in which we have enjoyed living for the past 42 years. Families don’t live as close as they once did,” Mr Parrott said.

Two FISH Clients Interviewed

No matter how careful you are, there is no telling when an accident will happen.

Aleacia Siok came to Newtown seven years ago from Great Barrington, Mass., and settled in the newly opened condominiums at Walnut Tree Hill in Sandy Hook. The family had previously lived in the greater Danbury area for more than 30 years, and one of her daughters had settled in Danbury.

Mrs Siok was recently on her way to visit her husband at the Glen Hill Convalescent Home, when an inconsiderate and impatient driver cut directly in front of her. She swerved and drove headlong into the sand barrels at Exit 8. Her ankle became wedged between the brake pedal and the gas pedal. The airbags deployed but her car was totaled.

Luckily, people stopped and called 911 and after she was extracted from the wreckage, Mrs Siok was admitted to Danbury Hospital where she stayed five days. She then spent about three weeks in the convalescent home and after that her orthopedic surgeon recommended physical therapy twice a week.

That is when she remembered a letter from FISH she had received only a few weeks earlier. Little did she know then how much she would soon need to call the volunteer driving service.

“They have been very helpful and kind, which makes the unpleasant experience more bearable,” Mrs Siok said.

She has progressed from a wheel chair to a walker, from the walker to a cane, and she hopes to be free of the cane within the next few weeks.

“I can’t wait to drive my own car again.”

 She is grateful that FISH was available in her time of need. She is also grateful to her good neighbors, George and Carol Mattegat, and to Ronnie and Jerry Parker, who help with other things.

Paula Stephan retired after 29 years of teaching in the Montgomery County (Md.) Public School System. She moved to Newtown to live near her daughter and, living in Walnut Tree Hill Village, helps take care of her grandchildren after their school.

Mrs Stephan is a very busy lady in all respects, but when it came time to go to physical therapy for a knee replacement operation, she knew she needed help.

Her son and daughter both worked full-time out of town, and there was no one else she knew to ask. So, she called FISH.

 “That was such a blessing. I went two times a week, for several weeks. The therapy was an essential part of my recovery.”

After a couple of months she was able to drive herself, but for the period of about eight weeks, it was most important for her to get to her therapy sessions.

“I had very kind ladies and gentlemen who were all very helpful. They transported me door-to-door and back again,” said Mrs Stephan, adding, “It can’t get any better than that.”