Our FISH Dispatchers have hearts of gold.

 Dear Friends of FISH,

In addition to some updates, this edition of our newsletter will share with you a bit more about the people and history of FISH. I hope that you will come away with a growing understanding of what makes this organization so special.

We begin with a profile of our Dispatchers by Beverly Koepplin, our
Information & Referral Coordinator.

We would like to introduce the volunteers of our dispatch team. They are the wonderful people who answer our phones every weekday between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Bev Koepplin (Coordinator)
Linda Alwitt
Linda Blum
Ligia Booker
Peggy Campbell
Kathy Carmichael
Evan Corcorran
Laura Dominguez
Karen Fegan
Bette Holloway
Meg Kellogg
Gary Kozel

Denise Lacampagne
Robin Layton
Kari Lopez
Lynda MacKenzie
Joan Martin
Claudia Mendoza
Carmela Mezquita
Kara Reyes
Kay Riper
Claudia Scott
Janet Summers

Did you know that...

They dispatch from anywhere.  Gary and his wife recently moved to North Carolina, and Gary continues to regularly dispatch because he “wants to” – his words.  Evan recently moved to Martinez because he was hired as an EMT by Solano County.  He continues to dispatch because he says it is good training for medical school (and it is!)  Kathy dispatches from Sonoma or from her place in Oregon and is in the process of renovating a home for her and fiancée (wedding in September - congrats!)  Our five Spanish-speaking dispatchers, Ligia, Laura, Kara, Meg, and Claudia M., have been known to dispatch from Europe and South America when they are traveling.

They are also volunteers in other positions at FISH and at other non-profit organizations.  Peggy is our Transportation Coordinator, and Karen is our Utilities Coordinator.  Other volunteers contribute their time at La Luz, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Impact 100, Sonoma Valley Newcomers Club, etc.

They dispatch even through the challenging times in their life.  Denise is undergoing treatment for a medical condition (get well soon!), Linda B.’s husband passed away in early July (our sincere sympathies), Joan is caregiver to her husband, who is having medical problems (don’t forget to take care of yourself); and Ligia is in Columbia, S.A. tending to a sister that had surgery (we hope she is doing better).  Our dispatchers take breaks when they need them and return to dispatch yet another day.

They dispatch with calmness, professionalism, and a caring attitude, whether the request is a small one or an urgent request for help.  Our dispatchers work through earthquakes and fires and in extremely busy times.  They stay on top of the ever-changing details of FISH services so that they can accurately help you or refer you to someone that can.  They effortlessly juggle multiple calls at a time. . . and one more thing -  they all have hearts of gold.

- Bev

Did you know that...

FISH was a major sponsor of the 2024 Back To School Health Fair? This annual event is hosted by the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, with the goal of providing Sonoma Valley’s students, parents, and the community a healthy and prepared start to the  new school year. In addition to immunizations, families were able to access community resources such as Medi-Cal enrollment, emergency preparedness and financial literacy, as well as resources for food, legal, recreational, educational and mental health services. New backpacks, donated by FISH and then filled with school supplies, were given away to those who visited at least five informational booths of their choice. A true community team effort for Sonoma Valley's kids!

All set up for the August 3rd Back to School Health Fair.

Did you know that...

In the early days of FISH, Trinity Episcopal Church designated a room near the office for FISH to store food for packing and delivering. It worked for year but in 1981, Trinity needed space for its expanding religious classes. It seemed that in 1980 several churches were experiencing growth in their programs and there were few, if any, possibilities of utilizing space in one of the churches. The
Sonoma Index-Tribune published articles about the need for a space to serve as the FISH Food Room, but a solution remained elusive.

At that same time, a longtime volunteer and supporter, Wanda Kearney, lost her husband and decided to make an offer that FISH couldn’t refuse. First, Wanda consulted with her three daughters, who served as nuns and embodied the spirit of generosity, about her proposal. With the support of her daughters, the Kearneys of Austin Avenue offered their rumpus room to FISH for use as its new
Food Room. FISH installed bright overhead lights, brought in shelving, two refrigerator/freezers and a portable heater, as the room was not heated. FISH offered to contribute to the increased utility costs and the new FISH Food Room was viable.

All of us who delivered food parked in the driveway, packed the boxes of food, often chatted with Wanda, and delivered food at 3:30 seven days a week for over twenty years. During this era, FISH maintained its grassroots commitment to services, even though the organization owned no facilities and had no rented office space.

As FISH matured and hit its 30th anniversary, it became clear that a building would advance its mission and provide security for FISH services. Tom Haeuser, local attorney, champion of FISH, and current Board President, provided the leadership to find and purchase a building for FISH back in 2001. At that time  Roland and Hazel Todd moved to Sonoma and brought their philanthropic
commitment along with them. The Todds provide FISH with an initial $100,000 to purchase a building in the Springs area. The AT&T building at 18330 Sonoma Highway became available but the price tag was $400,000. The Todds contributed an additional $100,000 for the building, and Tom communicated this offer to the FISH leaders in hopes that FISH could raise the additional $200,000
needed so this permanent building could be secured.

FISH established a Building Committee, and Coordinator Vicki Schnurpfeil and Secretary JoAnn Fowler designed and ran the capital campaign and raised over $200,000 in less than two months. During the Capital Campaign, Bob Lynch, always a cheerleader for FISH, printed weekly articles in the Sonoma Index Tribune while Vicki and JoAnne wrote hundreds of letters asking for financial support. The money poured in – with enough to complete the needed renovations to make the buildings operational. Other critical FISH volunteers who worked to purchase what is now known as "FISH Central" included Dick Severson, Bill Frapwell, Bette and Milt Holloway, Margo Hendrickson, and Golly McGinty.

After significant renovations, FISH Central opened in 2002. A key player in all of this was JoAnn Fowler who spent many years as a FISH volunteer – she was a Dispatcher, Secretary, and host for the monthly governance meetings and involved in every aspect of FISH. JoAnn has not been able to volunteer for a few years due to declining health. Her daughter, Kathy Fowler Powers, who is so proud of her mother’s efforts that resulted in the purchase of FISH Central wanted to make sure that this history and the people involved in making this dream of a permanent building a reality were remembered. Kathy, a recently retired teacher, decided to take painting lessons so she could create a painting of the FISH building.  Kathy realized she had a talent for painting and the painting of the FISH building became her magnificent obsession. In June, Kathy presented the painting to FISH in memory of the Roland and Hazel Todd and to honor her mother, JoAnn.   Although the painting has been on a traveling exhibition to all FISH meetings, it will now grace the inside of the FISH Food Room – in a place of honor. She had the painting framed and included a plaque of dedication.

This project was an expression of the love of a daughter for her mother and her mother’s years of volunteer work for FISH. The story of the FISH Food Room is a story of generosity. Trinity Episcopal Church, the Kearney Rumpus Room, and Roland and Hazel Todd, Tom Hauser, Vicki Schnurpfeil, and JoAnn Fowler are local examples of those who have given generously. 

One more incredible FISH tale.

A beautiful piece of artwork honoring JoAnn Fowler, the Todds, and all those who made FISH Central possible.

FISH is very pleased to welcome these new volunteers since June:

Elizabeth Griego as a new Driver

Kari Lopez who serves double duty as a new Driver and a new Dispatcher

Rita McBride as a new Driver

Andrea O’Rourk as a new Dispenser in the Food Room

Renee Reynolds as a new Dispenser in the Food Room

Mary Shea as a new Driver

To help meet the needs of our community, FISH is seeking more Drivers, volunteers to work in the Clothing Room on Saturdays, and a person to join the Medical Equipment team.  If you or someone you know might consider joining the caring, dedicated, and joyful group of FISH volunteers, visit our Volunteer page to learn more.

- Sandy