FISH Transports Senior Citizens To Medical Appointments

Since 1970, a volunteer organization has been coming to the aid of senior citizens in the Wantagh-Bellmore area.

Friends In Serving Humanity, commonly known as FISH of Wantagh, consists of approximately 60-70 members. The Wantagh-based organization has a simple goal, which is to supply volunteers who are available to transport the elderly to and from their medical appointments. Though the program originated with members of several Wantagh churches who wanted to make a more caring community, it eventually became a completely nonsectarian community-wide activity, which evolved to focus on the needs of elderly residents.

For clients and their families, FISH is an answer to stress. As people grow older, they require more medical attention, yet lose their ability to drive. This has the power to turn a simple appointment into a multi-step task. "The need [for FISH] is so genuine and overwhelming because there is no door-to door transportation for the elderly, handicapped, or frail [in our area]," said Sally Lubell, director for the organization celebrating its 40th anniversary this year serving both Wantagh and Bellmore.

Lubell said that a simple phone call to the FISH answering service ( 861-6032), just one morning in advance of the appointment, should connect the client with a driver within a couple of hours. Some volunteer drivers work numerous times a week while others will serve once a month or for an occasional hour. Drivers can also choose whether or not they want their own scheduled days in advance, or if they want to be placed on the "back-up list," and to be called only when needed.

The Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs, through the New York State Office for the Aging, provides funding to reimburse volunteer drivers for their mileage and to maintain an answering service. There is no charge to clients.

Forty years since the organization was first started, FISH of Wantagh now has over 100 senior citizens as clients from the area. For further information on the organization call the answering service at 861-6032 or Lubell at 826-1454.