News from PI FISH
To the editor:
We wish all our returning friends a big welcome. Now that you have returned from your summer home we hope that everyone will have a great fall and winter season here on Pine Island. Would you like to make your time here productive? Want to make Pine Island an even better place to live? Here are a couple of things to consider.
Lots of things are going on that you might want to get involved with. FISH has begun the efforts of coordinating the Christmas Basket Brigade for Children and seniors living alone. There is one big change this year in that the wrapping party (to which you are all invited as volunteers) and the distribution point will be the PI United Methodist Church. Peg (283-3874) and Mary Jo (283-7862) are taking calls now to include children/seniors on the gift list. If you wish to make a monetary donation to the effort, simply send a check to PI FISH Inc., PO Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33993. The Wrapping Party will be on Dec. 14 and the gift distribution will be on the 15th – again, that’s at the Methodist Church this year. The Pantry will contribute food packages as they have done for many years. The food and gifts can be picked up together on the 15th.
All the normal FISH activities are still running full speed. That includes providing rides to doctor appointments, respite care, limited financial assistance and the loan of medical equipment. All of these services are provided to Greater PI residents by volunteers and at not cost. A nice way to make your winter here more productive would be to join us as volunteers or by making a donation (PI FISH Inc., PO Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33993). We are specifically in need of volunteer drivers or folks to staff our telephone answering service. If you are interested, contact Pat Halvorson at 282-1573.
Several important points about the medical equipment: As many of you know FISH loans Medical Mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc., to our clients. The demand has been high over the last 12 months and of course, we have a finite amount of equipment. If you have any need to borrow equipment, please contact FISH but at the same time, if you have borrowed equipment, please don’t forget to return it when your need is over. That way others on the island can also benefit from the Lending Closet. Just call the FISH phone service, 283-4442, and someone will contact you about returning the equipment. TIP: if your doctor says you need some mobility equipment on a temporary basis, check with FISH before you spend your hard earned money. In many cases FISH can loan you what you need.
I encourage you to do better than just enjoy living on Pine Island; volunteer with PI FISH and make us an even better community.
Richard A. Roane
Bokeelia