The giving and receiving of gifts are a hallmark of the holiday season. As I look back over the past year, I marvel at the gifts I have received as a FISH volunteer. The responses from those who need FISH services touches both my heart and soul. The consistent kindness and dedication of our FISH volunteers always amazes and delights me.

As we bring 2024 to a close, I want to note the end of a remarkable 42-year era where Sherm and Louise Bielfelt have been volunteering at FISH. Since 1982, Sherm and Louise have lavishly bestowed FISH with the gifts of their service, kindness, dedication and generosity.
Please read below to learn more about these two very special "Friends In Sonoma Helping".

-Sandy Piotter

In 1982 both Sherm and Louise became volunteers for FISH. In the ensuing 42 years, the Bielfelts became the epitome of community service and the glue that held FISH services together.

Sherm and Louise have served as Transportation Coordinator, Ride Finder, Drivers, Food Packers, Food Deliverers, and Holiday Food Baskets Organizers. They have coordinated other programs such as the First Wednesday Cheese Giveaway, HOPE, Scouting for Food, and Stamp Out Hunger. Their garage became the hub for sorting donated canned good for years and was known as the Food Room Annex. Sherm even made a special table to handle the weight of the heavy boxes of canned goods.

Year after year, Sherm and Louise provided rides to doctor appointments – to the tune of over 20,000 miles per year. Sherm enjoyed providing rides out of town because that gave him the opportunity to take his passenger out to lunch at one of his favorite fast-food restaurants. For years every Monday morning after providing a ride to dialysis, Louise stopped by the Redwood Empire Food Bank where she took on the heavy lifting of cases of canned goods for FISH. Louise also had a reputation as a “star baker” because at every meeting she attended she brought fresh, homemade cookies.

The Bielfelts, in their own quiet and unassuming way, have been the backbone of FISH for more than four decades. Together they have gifted FISH with 84 years of service, and now are ready to retire.

Beyond FISH, the Bielfelts have been dedicated to Scouting with both of their sons achieving Eagle Scouting status. Louise was always the liaison for Scouting for Food, and she and Sherm arranged for the placing of an American flag at the FISH site by the Scouts.

Not only have Sherm and Louise embodied the Scouting motto of “Be Prepared,” they live out the Scouting Pledge: "to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

To honor the incredible contributions the Bielfelts have made to FISH the following award has been established:

FISH has established a $6,000 fund to be known as The Sherm and Louise Service Scouting Award. The purpose of the Award is to fund Scouts whose financial situation may keep them from participating in Scouting events, service projects, or leadership training activities. The Scout Master of Troop 16 will administer the fund. FISH is hoping that through contributions, this award can be sustained for many years.

Any community member or organization wishing to honor Sherm and Louise in this way is invited to make a designated contribution to this award. Contributions may be made with a designation via our website, fishsonoma.org or via mail to FISH, P.O. Box 507, Sonoma, CA 95476.

In this season of gratitude and giving, we are filled with joy and appreciation for the dedication and service that Sherm and Louise have given to FISH.