FISH Rides

09/22/2026

Thanks to Deep River Parks & Rec for a great Deep River Family Day!

FISH Board member and volunteer driver Kathy Heebner was on hand representing FISH Rides, and we had some wonderful conversations with community members interested in becoming volunteer drivers. 🚗🐟

Interested in joining us? It’s easy to get started! Complete our quick volunteer driver application here: https://forms.gle/cqcoaTYNWWJBDuLz6

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and learn more about FISH! 🚕❤🐠

08/28/2026

Looking for a meaningful and easy, low-stress way to give back? Have a little more time during the day now that the kids are back in school? 🚗 FISH Rides needs volunteer drivers!

Help local neighbors get to medical appointments—on your schedule, when it works for you. Even an occasional ride can make a real difference. ❤️

Interested? Here's a brief application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0lnNBk3IRmCuHQL5-dmrKtPOL7N8WTzNPN4lzt25x36b8mA/viewform

08/14/2026

FISH drivers were busy the first half of 2026, providing 657 rides to 184 individual riders. 😎🚕
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer driver, complete our brief application. You choose your own schedule! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0lnNBk3IRmCuHQL5-dmrKtPOL7N8WTzNPN4lzt25x36b8mA/viewform

08/02/2026

We're Hiring! 🐟 Friends In Service Here (F.I.S.H.) is looking for a paid, part-time Dispatcher to help connect volunteer drivers with local residents who need rides to medical appointments.

If you're organized, comfortable with email and Excel, familiar with the area, and looking for a meaningful way to serve your community, we'd love to hear from you.

The position averages 3–5 hours per week during assigned months, with most scheduling taking place Friday afternoon through Sunday.

Please share this post to help us find the right person. Thank you for supporting F.I.S.H. and our mission to keep neighbors connected to the medical care they need. 💙

07/23/2026

Thank you to the organizations and individuals who help keep F.I.S.H. on the road!

Because of the generosity of our funders, donors, volunteers, and community, we're able to provide free rides to medical appointments for residents of Chester, Deep River, and Essex who have no other transportation.

If you'd like to help ensure this service continues, please consider making a donation. Every gift—no matter the size—helps our volunteer drivers connect neighbors with the care they need.

Donate here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fishrides-donations

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Chester, CT, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Essex Bank, The Rotary Club of Essex, CT, Essex, CT Lions Club, the Town of Chester Connecticut, and the Town of Essex – Government for their generous support. We're grateful to have such a caring community behind F.I.S.H.

07/07/2026

🥕🍅🥬Going to the Chester Sunday Market? Come say hello!

F.I.S.H. will be in the Community Tent this Sunday, July 12, and we'd love to meet you!

Have you ever wondered:
🚕How do I request a ride?
🦸‍♂️What's it like to be a volunteer driver?
⏰ How much time does it take?
🤝 How can I help my neighbors?

Whether you're interested in becoming a F.I.S.H. rider, volunteering as a driver, or just learning more about what we do, stop by and chat with our volunteers.

We've been helping neighbors in Chester, Deep River, and Essex get to medical appointments since 1970, and we'd love to tell you more. See you there!

06/04/2026

F.I.S.H. drivers had a busy start to 2026, providing 361 rides to 91 individual riders. 💪🚕

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer driver, complete our brief application. You choose your own schedule! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0lnNBk3IRmCuHQL5-dmrKtPOL7N8WTzNPN4lzt25x36b8mA/viewform

03/18/2026

F.I.S.H. needs volunteer drivers!

Help your neighbors in Chester, Deep River, and Essex get to medical appointments. You choose when you’re available—even an occasional ride makes a difference.

Please email [email protected] to request a (brief!) application.

To request a ride to an appointment, please call the F.I.S.H. answering service at (860) 388-2693 by noon on Friday of the week before your appointment.

02/15/2026

The FISH Board of Directors is deeply saddened to share the passing of our longtime volunteer, former president, and dear friend, John Heiser.

John devoted many years to FISH as a driver, dispatcher, and leader — and was even still helping neighbors get to medical appointments just days before his passing. His kindness, steady presence, and commitment to serving others shaped our organization in lasting ways.

We are so grateful for all he gave to this community.

We encourage you to read his obituary to learn more about his remarkable life of service and love. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all who knew him. 💙

View John V. Heiser's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

10/24/2024

FISH--Friends in Service Here is an Essex-based non-profit. In 2023 we drove 253 clients on 688 rides to essential medical appointments. We are volunteer drivers who
provide FREE transportation to medical appointments to residents of Chester, Deep River and Essex who have no other means of transportation. We provide service within an area bounded by Guilford to the west, New London to the east and Middletown to the North. Drivers volunteer their time and vehicles with no reimbursement for gas etc.! It makes a tremendous difference to all we serve – and drivers are rewarded with appreciation and knowing they made a huge difference.

Our clients are mobile. Some use a walker or Rollator. Drivers volunteer for one or two days a month with one or two rides on each scheduled driving day. Drivers are assigned their driving days before the beginning of the next month and are emailed information about their rides the day before their scheduled driving day.

Our Essex-based non-profit drove 253 clients on 688 rides in 2023. Without FISH, getting to appointments would be impossible. We are your neighbors in service. FISH is funded by towns we service, grants and donations.

To learn more if you’re interested, call 860-388-2693 or email [email protected] for an application and more information.

10/24/2024

FISH--Friends in Service Here is an Essex-based non-profit. In 2023 we drove 253 clients on 688 rides to essential medical appointments. We are volunteer drivers who
provide FREE transportation to medical appointments to residents of Chester, Deep River and Essex who have no other means of transportation. We provide service within an area bounded by Guilford to the west, New London to the east and Middletown to the North. Drivers volunteer their time and vehicles with no reimbursement for gas etc.! It makes a tremendous difference to all we serve – and drivers are rewarded with appreciation and knowing they made a huge difference.

Our clients are mobile. Some use a walker or Rollator. Drivers volunteer for one or two days a month with one or two rides on each scheduled driving day. Drivers are assigned their driving days before the beginning of the next month and are emailed information about their rides the day before their scheduled driving day.

Our Essex-based non-profit drove 253 clients on 688 rides in 2023. Without FISH, getting to appointments would be impossible. We are your neighbors in service. FISH is funded by towns we service, grants and donations.

To learn more, If you’re interested, call 860-388-2693 for further information! Or email [email protected] for an application and more information.

08/24/2024

We provide transportation to medical appointments including doctors, clinics, dentists, physical therapy and others. We pick up in Chester, Essex, Centerbrook and Deep River. And we drive as far as Middletown, New London and Guilford.