The coordinator of FISH hopes to catch new volunteers for the long-running program that offers seniors transportation to medical appointments.

Launched more than 40 years ago, the service allows ambulatory seniors to request a free ride by calling the Council on Aging two business day in advance.

Jacqueline McGraw has volunteered for the last six years and coordinated the program for three years.

“It’s amazing we’ve lasted this long,” McGraw said. “But sometimes we just can't find somebody, especially with cancer patients. They need a lot of treatments that sometimes takes three to four hours.”

Two types of volunteers are needed, drivers and callers. Currently the group has 34 drivers but only eight callers. McGraw said there were 10 callers, but two stepped down due to illness.

“We need more of both types of volunteers,” McGraw said. “When winter comes it’s especially tough when flu season hits and half of the drivers are in Florida. Sometimes we’re really scrambling.”

The program is simple. Seniors in need call the Council of Aging with a request that includes the day, time and location of the appointment. Then, a caller will get the information from the council and contact drivers to see who is available.

McGraw said seniors using the service must be able to walk on their own or with the aid of a cane. Volunteer drivers are not equipped to handle wheelchairs.

The program is flexible and McGraw stressed that drivers and callers are under no obligation to say 'yes.'

“There’s never any judgment if we call someone and they say they’re unavailable,” she said. “We operate on the schedule of the volunteer.”

She said any amount of time someone can offer is welcomed.

“I have a volunteer who goes out on a Tuesday morning one day a year and that’s valuable to us when the time comes,” McGraw said.

Though the council handles calls from seniors, FISH is not a town agency. Last year, 301 residents took advantage of the program. So far, 170 people have benefited from FISH this year.

And if you’re wondering about the name, it refers to the Bible story of the miracle of the fives loaves and two fish. The program’s founders were parishioners at St. Anthony’s Church.

A few years ago McGraw decided to make FISH an acronym for “Friends in Service Helping.”

For more information or to volunteer, call McGraw at 508-758-9278.