Reggie's Gift - for those in need..

A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held for Jimmy Whiteside  on Saturday Febuary 21st from 1:00 – 6:00 pm at the -       

North Alano Club
1020 College Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
616.970.0868

Please read…….

After our brothers passing we were gathering Jimmy’s personal belongings and while daunting as this was, something magical happened.  Friends of Jimmy’s intermittently stopped by and wanted tell their own tragic story.  In the midst of their own sorrow and pain, they expressed Jimmy came to their need and helped them in a plethora of ways that made us smile and cry at the same time.  These stories seem to have a commonality that encompassed the magnitude and scope of Jimmy’s spirit and life that touched us all.  We were asked many times throughout this difficult process if we had a charity in mind, and while many came to us, we were unable to select just one because Jimmy felt so strongly and passionately about so many causes that we found it overwhelming to have to choose.  Therefore we became inspired to start a foundation in Jimmy’s honor that would not only carry on Jimmy’s memory, but continue the ever thoughtful and helping hand that Jimmy provided throughout his life, so we decided to pay it forward as an extension of Jimmy’s legacy.

If you knew Jimmy you knew his dog and his best friend Reggie.  She was not only his companion, but his loyal and loving best friend that owned his heart for many years.  Jimmy was very humble throughout those generous acts of kindness and held close to his heart a life led with integrity, charm, wit, combined with a strong compassion for others and animals of all kinds, but Reggie was his rock and silent partner. 

So in his memory and for his love for “Reg” we started a charity called Reggie’s Gift.   A foundation we created in the midst of our pain and sorrow that we are able to continue his generous acts of kindness, through what we hope will be started by those who loved him and knew him best.  By offering a donation in lieu of flowers to jump-start the beginning of a life-long charity called Reggie’s Gift.  This foundation will help those in unique positions that need assistance with medical, rent or mortgage payments, abused children and animals, domestic violence victims, and will assist disabled children that may need assistance in obtaining a service dog, and that is just to name a few.  If enough monetary gifts are given, a nonprofit corporation will be created in Jimmy’s remembrance to insure those who are in need of a helping hand – receive it.  Otherwise, we will make many donations on behalf of Jimmy to many organizations he loved throughout his bountiful life.

Jimmy was able to captivate many by his many inspirational thoughts and actions, but on many occasions he always wanted to leave those better off than how he found them.  One of the most memorable quotes Jimmy said, and there were many – lol.  “If you look for somebody looking for something - you will find somebody who needs something” - Author Unknown.  In a nutshell this meant, if you pay attention to those around you, you may just notice and sense through their behavior they may need something,  ask them if they do, and most often they do, then help them and leave them better off by committing a generous act of kindness.  You may never know it, but it could be life altering.  We will leave you with that thought, but that was Jimmy - generous to a fault.  Thank you for taking the time to read our story about our brother we loved so dearly.

Thank you our brother and friend - Jimmy Whiteside for all that you did and for who you were. 

Rest in peace…….