Written by Nyaysia Robinson

In just over two years, Jim Geuin has dedicated more than 5,500 hours to serving his community through the American Red Cross.

Geuin, an 86-year-old Navy Submarine retiree, multi-project manager, and a 20-year veteran of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, now spends his days managing the front desk for the Capital Area Chapter in Tallahassee, Florida, where he is affectionately known by the team as "Chapter Dad".

He describes his first day at the Red Cross with a smile. He walked in ready for his orientation and was quickly paired with a fellow volunteer and got to work. In his first few weeks, the Tallahassee area had been damaged by a tornado outbreak.

When asked about why he does so much for the Red Cross, Jim says, “I’m in a position where I need a purpose.”

Helping those around him is also a personal motivation. One of Jim’s daughters lives in Hawaii where she has been living without power after multiple hurricanes hit the state. Jim says it as a reminder that tragedy can hit any and everyone.

For Jim, logging more than 5,500 hours of community service doesn’t slow him down. Instead, each experience brings a new opportunity to learn and grow.

Jim spends the majority of his day at the chapter training and preparing resources for fellow volunteers and staff members. He sees himself as “the rule enforcer” as he sets up classrooms and helps direct visitors around the building. Jim believes getting the fundamentals down are essential to success. He then goes out to pay it forward and teach others.

However, Jim doesn’t really see his volunteer hours milestone “as a big deal” as he says that many fellow Red Cross volunteers have reached similar milestones. But to Jim, volunteering at the Red Cross “is the place to be,” and where he's happy to spend most of his days now.

To those not knowing what their next step is, whether that is working, volunteering, or deciding on your next adventure, here’s some words of advice from Jim; "Don’t worry about it, bloom where you’re planted!"

To get involved with your local American Red Cross chapter, head to redcross.org/volunteer for more details.