Celebrating Pine Islanders: Janet Wentz
Janet Wentz said it has never really occurred to her to wonder what the most important thing about her might be, as she has been trained to think more about how she might be able to help someone else.
It was an advertisement in a boating magazine for local property that first caught the attention of Wentz and her husband, Jim. Although, they had family on the other coast who came to check out the property for them, the couple was told it would be too much work with all the mangroves.
The next time they came to visit Florida, she said, they took a couple of extra days to visit and came over to the island.
“We came over to look at Pine Island and when we got to the four-way, we turned left and it was like we were coming home,” Wentz said.
The feeling of belonging was immediate and has lasted for years, she said. It was not too long after coming that they were able to find a house, although they were able to do everything by email.
Wentz’s love for Pine Island has taken shape through her willingness to volunteer for the Fellow Islanders Sending Help (F.I.S.H) organization.
“We came here to retire and do our own fishing and then ended up working with F.I.S.H,” she said with a chuckle.
Since she first joined in 2019, Wentz said her time with F.I.S.H has basically turned into another job and a lifestyle. She spends a great deal more time working on organization-related needs than people might guess.
There were some basics necessary to make the organization run faster and better, in order to keep up with the times, Wentz admitted. She and her husband got started as soon as they could to make F.I.S.H more convenient and manageable to anyone who might also be interested in volunteering for the organization.
“The phone system was outdated so he (Jim) started working on that and I started working on manuals and how to train people,” Wentz said.
Something she was careful not to repeat: There was nothing to reference as far as training when she came on to be a phone person and she did not want to do that same thing to future volunteers.
She said in an effort to be honest and transparent, they have tried to set it up like a company or a regular corporation, where many things can be referenced online.
“We’re bringing everything up to date so everybody can see everything and you can know exactly what we’re doing at all times,” Wentz said.
In an effort to describe Pine Island to someone who is not familiar with it, she would tell them it is the best place for hanging out on the water.
“Everyone loves one another down here. We help each other out, the weather is great, except in the summertime. The people are fantastic and that’s what it’s all about,” Wentz said.
Her greatest wish for the island, she said, would be for Pine Island to stay the way it is. Although, she appreciates everything that is going on right now.
“I don’t want any more building. I don’t think we need anything else,” Wentz said.
Volunteers welcome
F.I.S.H is always looking for more volunteers. If this is something you are interested in, call 239-283-4442.
Islanders needing help
F.I.S.H can help with non-emergency transportation, the loaning of needed mobility equipment, respite, and emergency assistance with rent, utilities, medical bills and more. For more information, call 239-283-4442.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email