Longtime community volunteer Linda Zembron, 62, wants to retire from her position with a group that offers free rides to Ridgefield residents who can’t drive to medical appointments.
The only problem is, there’s nobody behind her in line to take over her job as the coordinator of rides for the group, known as Friends In Service Helping, or FISH.
So she’s putting out a call to the public for help.
“My husband is retired now, and we’d like to go on trips and do things, but I can’t leave, I have things to do for FISH,” explained Zembron, who said the volunteer job takes about two hours a day behind a computer, coordinating the list of those who need rides with those willing to drive.
“My husband says I need to get a balance,” Zembron said.
To volunteer to take over for Zembron, or to volunteer to give rides, call her at 203-438-0650. She will explain the duties and provide the training.
“Somebody will step up; I know it will happen,” said Tony Phillips, the town’s director of social services, who knows well the value that FISH provides to the community.
Without FISH, seniors who need rides to medical appointments would be isolated.
“Without the option of FISH, people tend to get isolated and it lessens the quality of life,” Phillips said of the program.
FISH is a national organization. The local chapter began in the 1960s. Zembron has been coordinator six years.
“We just want to be neighbors helping neighbors,” she said.
The drives are fairly local.
“Ninety-nine percent of our rides go to Danbury Hospital,” she said.
The local organization has 15 driver volunteers. In April, a total of 46 people needed rides. Each one-way trip is considered a ride. A total of 215 rides were given to those 46 people, she said.
FISH is not a part of Rides for Ridgefield, an organization that matches people who need rides with places to get a ride. FISH is a provider for Rides for Ridgefield, and is an independent non-profit group.
There was some concern at funds getting too low recently, but some donors including the Ridgefield Thrift Shop came through and saved the day.
“The Thrift Shop gave us $2,000,” Zembron said.
To schedule a ride with FISH, call the main line at 203-438-8044.
If nobody steps forward by Sept. 15, FISH will begin the process of dissolving, Zembron said.
“The sooner somebody comes forward the better,” she said.
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