Service Above Self: Jim Rogers

Written by Remy Kennedy
Photos courtesy of Jim Rogers

Jim Rogers shared a favorite quote with us: “Rivers do not drink their own water. Trees do not eat their own fruit. The sun does not shine on itself. And flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature…” It resonates with him because of his beliefs around volunteering. “I believe you have to give back. A lot of people want to, but they don’t know how to get involved. Everybody I’ve asked to volunteer has always done it,” said Jim. 

Working at Hilliard Lyons as the COO (Chief Operating Officer) for 30 years, Jim spends his retirement time helping the community. He serves on the board of directors at the University of Louisville, is a trustee for the Kentucky Colonels, and he’s a previous board member for our Red Cross Kentucky Region. Jim now chairs our Red Cross disaster committee. He has also volunteered at the Neighborhood House and Lincoln Heritage Boy Scouts of America in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Jim is passionate about our organization because “Red Cross basically saved both my kids’ lives. My son had a total blood transfusion at birth. My daughter in her early teens also had a blood transfusion for different reasons. For my son, it was life and death. It was the last option available… It was Red Cross blood donors that saved their lives.” 

A Portland neighborhood native, growth opportunities in the west end is part of Jim’s mission. He led the initiative to install smoke alarms in Portland neighborhoods as part of our Sound the Alarm campaign. He teaches CPR & First Aid classes, and almost all staff at the Neighborhood House have been certified thanks to Jim’s efforts. He believes education is the key for kids who live in underserved areas. “I mean education holistically. I think trade schools are wonderful. Not every kid needs or should go to college… Growing up in a family business, education could mean starting your own business. Betterment of yourself.” 

Jim frequently gathers with his high school classmates, collectively raising funds for educational tools benefiting youth on the west end. “Everywhere, I believe you can’t be what you can’t see. These kids, they don’t see jobs at Red Cross. They don’t see a bank. A 17-year-old shadowed me at my office one day. I had her come down to sit in operations, sit in the IT department. She saw people of color doing all these jobs she never knew existed,” he said. 

Jim has deployed with Red Cross to Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Kentucky. “I’m one who wants to be boots on the ground. I don’t want to sit in the office and supervise. I want to be out helping people. Feeding them, bringing them supplies, doing disaster assessment,” he explained. His favorite part? Developing bonds with people. “When I got back from feeding a church in New Orleans, all the families in the church got together and sent me a huge Louisiana care package. Beignets, chicory coffee, t-shirts, and pictures. Just a thank you for me being down there. I developed all these friendships.” 

Jim and his family