Golf Just Isn't Enough for Bradenton Volunteer

When Eugene Beckstein sold his small business, he figured he'd finally have time to play all the golf he wanted.

The Sarasota resident had started the game as a young man and then business, travel, children and family all took him away from the game. Once he retired Beckstein realized that while he had plenty of time to golf, it just wasn't enough.

So he began volunteering. And it didn't take long for him to generate demand for his services. Non-profits loved his energy, ideas, connections and his ability to raise money.

So much for golf.

A Career Volunteer

Gene Beckstein and his wife, Annabelle, founded the eye surgical equipment company Visitec in 1978 and ran the company locally until they sold it in 1997. Beckstein stayed on as a consultant for a couple of years as he made the transition into retirement.

Because he was involved in an eyecare company, Beckstein decided to volunteer for Southeastern Guide Dogs and Manasota Lighthouse for the Blind. Once he got started with them, he was hooked on volunteering. He moved quickly up the volunteer ranks at Southeastern Guide Dogs to serve as Chairman for the organization's board.

"I got interested in helping charities do a better job running their affairs and finding donors," he said.

From those two non-profits, Beckstein went on to serve as the Chairman for the Manatee County branch of the United Way Foundation and the American Red Cross. In 2008, the Becksteins were honored with a Spirit of Manatee Award for Lifetime Spirit from the Manatee Community Foundation.

While Gene Beckstein gets involved in the financial operations and fundraising for the charities, his wife of 56 years is often involved with a lot of the projects and hands-on work at the charities.

Last month Gene Beckstein was honored once again at a "behind the scene" event at Mote Marine Laboratory where Beckstein serves as vice chairman of the board. The American Red Cross came together with Mote to recognize Beckstein's contributions to non-profits in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“For service to those who serve our community, the American Red Cross and Mote Marine Laboratory recognize Eugene Beckstein for  outstanding volunteer leadership."

Jeannie Slater, the Board Chair for the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Red Cross, described Beckstein as "a philanthropist and leader who has given countless hours over many years to organizations that serve our community.” 

Much of what Beckstein does for the non-profits is parallel to what he was doing as a business owner, "except obviously we're not trying to make a profit," he said.

instead of focussing on making a profit, Beckstein wants to make sure that the non-profits can bring in enough money to pay their bills and to meet their missions.

Ad while non-profits are not designed to make money, they are a huge economic engine, he said. Non-profits employ people, even as they serve people who can't always afford the services they receive. That's why he works so hard to keep the organizations healthy and financially strong.

A Mission with Roots

Beckstein didn't wait until he was a retiree to start volunteering. But now that he's retired he has the time to share his talents with more of the community.

Beckstein said he's been volunteering most of his life.

"When I got out of college I volunteered for the United Way in Ft. Wayne, Indiana," he said.

He said before they volunteer, people should figure out what interests they have and marry those interests with the needs of the community.

And while others might just enjoy sending their retirement playing golf, he said volunteering could be a supplement to all of those golf outings.

"You have rainy days," he said. "Sometimes you need something to fill in the voids."