FISH Marks 46th Year of Driving Folks to the Doctor

Friends Indeed Serve & Help (FISH) Marks 46th Year of Driving Folks to the Doctor

Ken Quest

Know someone in Maine Township needing a FREE ride to a doctor's appointment?

PARK RIDGE, IL - (June XX, 2017) - Since 1971, FISH volunteers have been serving Park Ridge and Maine Township residents by providing free rides to doctor and medical appointments. 2017 marks its 46th anniversary of service.

In 2016, FISH volunteers provided over 1,300 rides for older adults, dialysis patients, and others in Maine Township who needed to get to medical appointments, contributing over 2,500 hours of volunteer service. FISH plans to continue providing a high level of service to all residents of Maine Township.

According to Ed Onken, president, FISH, "Most clients FISH serves are senior citizens, though all ages can request the ride service. Some are not in need financially, but physically they cannot drive themselves to a doctor's office. Others are those who are usually driven by a caregiver (son, daughter, spouse) but for some reason the caregiver cannot do it and calls FISH to schedule a ride.

For Maine Township residents in need of transportation to medical appointments, call 847-297-2510, x283. If you would like to be a volunteer driver, call Ed Oken, 847-696-0761.

According to Ed Oken, President of FISH, the concept of FISH: Maine Township residents, regardless of income or age, are paired with a volunteer driver who will provide them with a free ride to their medical appointment, including but not limited to routine doctor and dental visits, rehabilitation, or dialysis. Rides are only provided within the boundaries of Maine Township except for rides to Presence Resurrection Hospital and Bone and Joint Institute on Waukegan road. The FISH concept originated in England in1961, it was a way for church members to reach out to fellow parishioners in distress and provide support in family emergencies. The name "FISH" was selected to show the Christian community spirit. In 1970, Rev Robert Howell an Episcopal priest brought FISH outreach concept to America. He was pastor of the Church of the Good Shepard, West Springfield, MA. The idea spread rapidly around the country aided by articles in Time Magazine and on TV shows The Today Show and To Tell the Truth.

In 1971, Isabel Milligan (now deceased) organized FISH of Park Ridge, modified the concept from a faith-based service to a community service, where neighbors help neighbors. Her motto was: Neighbors Indeed for Neighbors in Need.