The flowers are dazzling us with their spring colors , bringing to mind what Herb Caen, the late columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, once said "heaven is a place that is said to resemble Sonoma in the spring..."

This spring we are grateful for the generous donation of nearly 2,000 blooms from Haystack Farms on 7th Street East. We were able to share with the visitors to the Clothing Room and Food Room.  So, each bloom elicited at least one smile – so, we added about 2000 smiles to that taste of heaven we call springtime in Sonoma.

Nadine Yanni

Nadine has been a dedicated FISH volunteer since 2009.  She began as a Clothing Room volunteer and soon added the monthly delivery of groceries to homebound seniors.  For the past ten years Nadine has also served as FISH Treasurer, a demanding and time-consuming volunteer position.  Gifted with a multi-faceted personality, Nadine is as comfortable chatting with seniors while delivering food as she is with reconciling monthly financial reports. 

Nadine has consistently demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and a genuine commitment to helping others as demonstrated during the trying times of the 2017 fire and the subsequent pandemic.  Reliable, responsible, and hard-working, Nadine has been an inspiration to many, especially those of us who do not have her fiscal acumen.  As a founding member of the FISH governing board, Nadine has nurtured its development while providing a realistic perspective and sound advice.   In short, Nadine is awe-inspiring.

It has been a busy winter for our FISH volunteers providing the following services:

138

Packages of Delivered Groceries

520

Households received Groceries from the Food Room

275

Rides were provided for Medical Appointments

226

Rides were provided for out of town rides

107

Families received Rental Assistance

113

Families received Utility Assistance

15

Individuals received Dental Assistance

10

Families received other financial assistance

716

Families visited the Clothing Room

94

Individuals received Medical Equipment

Our neighbors, the DLR Group, an architectural firm, celebrated the anniversary of their founding by volunteering for local nonprofits.  The group decided to volunteer for FISH on April 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  Twelve volunteers filled 20 two-hour volunteer slots over the three days.  They packed produce bags, packed nonperishable bags, sorted food they donated, cut egg cartons, and donated and sorted 17 bags of clothing.

This group of volunteers worked diligently and quickly.  Not only were they fast, but they also had a great time working side by side.  FISH thanks the group for their donations of time, clothing, food, and financial support.  Their employer provided t-shirts, and this group was picture perfect!

Each March FISH has provided information to the congregation at St. Andrew Presbyterian as they focus on one of the missions they support.  The FISH team presented information about FISH for the five consecutive March Sundays.  Since March 2nd was Oscar Night, we carried that theme through the month.  I provided the introduction where FISH was honored by the Academy for its short documentary – a video we put together about FISH services.  Maria Campbell introduce two congregational members, Kathleen Hawing and Barbara Roberts, as nominees for best supporting actresses – in the categories of rental assistance and food room support.

Arlene Holt used It’s a Wonderful Life to focus Bell Ringing and St. Andrew’s contributions at Lucky Market. Judie Osborn-Shaw, using three hats to demonstrate her three volunteer positions with FISH, provided information about FISH on the fourth Sunday.  Judie serves as a food dispenser, she supervises the team from Becoming Independent as they assemble produce bags, and she accepts, cleans and distributes medical equipment each Wednesday.

The finale was hosted by Maria Campbell who presented an encore presentation of the original video and introduce the newest STAR FISH – Nadine Yenni who has been nominated as the FISH STAR Award Volunteer.

Please welcome our newest 2025 Volunteers who, after completing Orientation and Training, were interviewed by Volunteer Coordinator Maria Campbell about their experience.  It is our pleasure to welcome them and introduce them to you. 

Meg Sokoloski - Food Room

Although Meg broke her arm recently and hasn’t been able to volunteer and it will be another month or so before she has the physical strength to lift items, etc.  Meg has been in touch with Lauren and hopes to participate in the future.

Barbara Bazett -Dispatcher

Barbara finds being a dispatcher so very satisfying and loves being helpful in the community. She feels she has" found a family with FISH”! She says she had great training yet sometimes feels challenged with the strange/unusual requests and takes it personally when she can’t help someone because they are not living in the valley.  She hopes the lists are kept up to date for help available in other areas such as Santa Rosa.

John Moss - Dispatcher

John really likes being able to test his Spanish skills and has found only a few hiccups. He really loves being able to do something meaningful within the community.  He is so impressed with FISH and especially with how very organized Bev is!

Norma Gallarte - Dispatcher/Translator

Norma is “learning as she goes” but she’s patient and confident that all will fall into place. She says the clients are really nice and she finds the dispatcher binder amazing and has appreciated the good training.

Malka Johanson - Driver

Malta really enjoys meeting the clients and spending time with them. She has had to use this service in the past and is so happy to be able to give back. She did find an issue lifting one of the big 3-wheeled walkers into her car but that is the only challenge she’s had so far.

Terry Rowland - Clothing Closet

Terry loves working in the Clothing Closet so much and especially working with Barbara, Tamsin and Lupe, who is helping her to improve her Spanish! She so enjoys the clients and helping them find pieces that will fit and work for them. She finds being there so energetic and satisfying.

Beth Bierman - Clothing Closet

Beth loves “making clothes pretty and the room inviting and easy for the clients to find what they need”. She is really enjoying the other volunteers she works with.

Jody Leeds - Medical Equipment

Jodi feels that is going well and finds it especially rewarding to help fellow volunteers when they need something from the inventory.

As we know, we are facing difficult times as the government reduces resources so it can shrink its budget.  I clearly recall my days with FISH in the 1980’s when a previous presidential effort reduced or eliminated resources.  The Food Bank of that day closed; all government and social services available in Sonoma Valley were eliminated and centered in Santa Rosa.  During those challenging days the Sonoma Valley community created its own social services safety net.  FISH had been established in 1971 and helped to nurture the founding of the Crisis line, the Jobs Desk, the 938-INFO phone line, the local Meals on Wheels (officially named Sonoma Home Meals), and La Luz.  It was a time of action and local control.

Just as in the past, FISH will continue to be a beacon of light, hope, and help to our neighbors in need.  Thank you for the many ways you support us and our work.  Just as in the 1980’s, Sonoma Valley will continue to support the services needed to navigate these difficult days.  Working together let’s keep kindness and hope alive as we continue to serve those in need. 

Thanks so much,

Sandy