Volunteer Spotlight Captain Mike McHugh, CLU, ChFC, Captain, U.S. Navy, Retired, spent thirty years in service to his country as a submarine officer. Then he had a nine year second career as Vice President and Marketing Manager for Navy Mutual Aid Association, a small Veteran’s Life Insurance Organization. As required by his position, he achieved the professional designations of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) from the American College. Over the years, he provided hundreds of presentations on survivor benefits, life insurance, and personal financial management to military members and their families. Shortly after Mike retired in 2007 and moved to Jacksonville from Northern Virginia, he received a letter from AARP soliciting volunteers for their Tax-Aide Program. Gene Bartels, the District Coordinator, knew a good thing when he saw it! He recruited Mike to be a tax site local coordinator during his first year, at University Park Library, and this year, Mike led the tax site at Bradham-Brooks Library on the Northside.Mike also instructed for the Tax-Aide program and next year will be working with Gene as the Training Coordinator for the District. In addition, Mike teaches Money Smart and Get Checking classes throughout the year and participates in an Own Your Own Financial Workshop for teens. He developed a checklist of suggested financial actions to pursue upon completion of the Money Smart Course, which Anita McKinney has adopted for the program. And, last year, Mike was recruited by Jeff to be a Real$ense Outreach Specialist, which he has done quite often and well. Retirement? Ha! So, why is he spending so much of his “leisure” time helping others? Here are some sincere and insightful words from a great volunteer and a great citizen: I strongly believe that much of the financial mess that we are in today is a result of Financial Illiteracy in this country. The primary focus of the Real Sense Program is to combat that illiteracy through education and helping people financially through the free tax preparation and Individual Development Accounts. I have the financial background and I love teaching and I have the time so the opportunities with Real Sense are a good fit for me and the program. I have pretty much been in the "public service" business my whole life and this is a way I can continue and make a difference in people's lives. It is also such a joy to receive the genuine appreciation from the people we help at the tax sites and at our financial presentations. You’ve certainly earned our genuine appreciation, Mike! Thank you!