A mimeographed flyer will be available at Norwood churches next Sunday asking people, “Do you want to be a fisherman?” It will not be for some sportsmen’s group’s annual fishing derby or for new members in an aquarium society. The sheet will describe the work of Fish of Norwood, an organization of volunteers dedicated to meeting the emergency needs of individuals or families who are not able to help themselves.
Edwin A. Page explained the group operates at a minimum cost, the commercial answering service being the major expense. It is sponsored by Norwood’s Interfaith Council and has had support from church and civic organizations such as the Women’s Community Club, Mother’s Club, and church sodalities. However, the group was recently accepted for funding by the United Fund. Mr. Page was “rejoiced to see that we be funded as a solid foundation,” he said. “This new means is preferable to donations, which can be rather iffy and chancy,” he added. Explaining the organization’s policy not to solicit public contributions, Mr. Page said, “We like to be known as giving rather than asking.” Volunteers do not accept money for their services, although people often offer to pay. Other ground rules in effect are that medicine not be purchased or administered without direct instructions from a physician, and that women be accompanied by a man or notify the police of their destination on night calls.
Mr. Page explained the history of Fish which originated in England in 1960 and was brought to the United States by Rev. Robert L. Howell of Springfield in 1964. The movement adopted the ancient Christian fish symbol, which was developed during the time of the Roman persecutions as a secret symbol between Christians. The recruitment drive is part of Fish Sunday, June 6, the highlight of the group’s enlistment effort. It spread quickly and now has chapters throughout this country. Eight of these are in the South Shore region. The organization has no national headquarters and no national director, so no set of guidelines is sent out for local groups to follow. “I suppose it would be nice if you had some dynamic group pumping you directives, but with every community it’s different. The problems are perceived in different ways,” Mr. Page said.
“It seems sad to be lonely in a town the size of Norwood,” Mr. Page remarked. “Years ago we lived in very small communities with everything in walking distance. People saw each other face-to-face more often. Now,” he continued, “we see the neighbors from the auto and wave to them. We’re all busy, but for something like this, you find the time.” The Norwood group was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Lester S. Drake who spent a year contacting organizations and agencies and enlisting volunteers before its inception date last May. Mr. Page explained that because of the work involved, almost entirely handled by the Drakes, the group realized more people had to become involved in directing the operation, so an executive board was formed last month. Newly elected Fish chairman Mr. Page explained that with the requests spread out among many volunteers, working for Fish is not a burden. “If you cannot answer a request, somebody else will.” The organization does not intrude on the work of government, church or social agencies. It is a grass-roots service group based on man’s personal concern for one another, he said.
Norwood’s Fish has 100 members and in its first year has received over 400 calls for such services as transportation, babysitting, companionship, referrals to state or local agencies, meals, shopping, letter-writing, blood donations and one call to find a home for a handicapped man. The group’s phone number, 769-1153, puts the caller in touch with a commercial answering service which is provided with the name of the volunteer on call that day. This volunteer returns the call immediately. The person on phone duty has at his or her disposal the complete listing of volunteers and available areas. Many volunteers are housewives and calls often come in for babysitting. However, sometimes they watch a fellow member’s children while that person provides needed transportation for a caller. Some volunteers specify they will drive anywhere but not to Boston, according to the volunteer roster. Often, said Mr. Page, persons seeking aid do not know they are eligible for welfare or are “too proud” to accept the help. Fish members inform them of services available and tell them of their rights.
A typical Fish case is that of a Norwood father of three young children whose wife was hospitalized. He had to work during the day, so volunteers went in to get the children off to school and be on hand when they returned home. Another current case is that of a man crippled in an automobile accident. Fish is trying to relocate the man from his second-floor apartment to a first-floor with the possibility of constructing a ramp for his wheelchair. A recent call from a severely handicapped man required approximately 50 more calls before the right agency was found to assist him. Sometimes calls for companionship are received in other forms such as the case of an elderly woman who requested help with housekeeping. A woman volunteer reported the house was immaculate and while she made perfunctory attempts with a vacuum cleaner, most of her time was spent “chatting over coffee.” Although many Fish chapters are church-oriented, Norwood’s group is completely nondenominational. “My view is that it shouldn’t be directly related to the Christian religion or any other,” said Mr. Page, “but should be oriented to brotherhood and love.” The group has recently adopted their symbol, an adaptation of the simple fish outline with a Star of David below and a cross above on a sphere representing the world. Inscribed on the fish is one word – love.
Text and images may have been created, edited, colorized, or digitally restored using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
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