Friends In Service Helping or FISH, as we are commonly called, is a group of volunteers who do the job it takes to get folks who don’t have transportation to medical appointments. The organization has provided a volunteer driving service for the last 14 years to residents on the Boothbay peninsula.

During the winter months, FISH provides an average of 25 to 30 rides per month for people who can’t drive themselves. These rides are for medical appointments, dental or eye appointments, physical therapy — anything of a medical nature. Typically, the destinations are to locations on the Boothbay peninsula or to Damariscotta. Some drivers are willing to drive to Brunswick, and some even to Portland. But the majority of the rides needed and provided are fairly local. The driver typically waits, or runs errands, while the client is at the appointment.

During the winter months, there are fewer drivers, because a number of summer residents share the driving load when they come to town. It’s good that they do, since there is also an increase in requests during the summer months. If you volunteer to drive, you’re likely to be called about once a month. If the time or destination isn’t convenient, you can simply say no. There’s no obligation to take a ride request. I just call the next person on the list. But, that’s why it’s helpful to have a large stable of potential volunteer drivers.

Founder Sue Wilson knew of the value of such a program. She used a similar program while she lived in Newport, Rhode Island, while receiving physical therapy.

“I knew the program from the perspective of the client, and later as a volunteer," said Wilson. "I knew there were people who for one reason or another could no longer, or didn’t, drive.”

When Sue called and asked me to return calls and coordinate rides for people, I was happy to do so, since I had been a FISH coordinator when I lived in Braintree, Massachusetts.

What began as a church outreach program on our peninsula has now expanded to attract people of goodwill from the entire community. Drivers have been instructed not to accept money. But donations will be gratefully accepted if mailed to: FISH, P.O. Box 635, Boothbay, ME 04537. The money is used to defray the costs of the telephone line used by clients, as well as to generate the paperwork necessary to keep track of the program.

Because this is a volunteer program, we are always on the lookout for volunteer drivers. It comes down to neighbors helping neighbors, friends helping friends. To schedule a ride, offer to drive, or for more information about the FISH service, please call 207-633-4357.

June Phillips is FISH Coordinator and FISH is a collaborative program with the Boothbay Region Community Resources.