Local figure looking to make changes in community

Raymond Whiteside is no stranger to community events

By DON WILBURN

donaldfwilburn@gmail.com

Raymond Whiteside, an employee for the city of West Memphis, has been making a signi_cant impact in the West Memphis and Marion communities through his unwavering dedication to various outreach initiatives. From donating cold winter clothing to assisting individuals during the recent winter storm, Whiteside continues to be a local _gure at community events, leaving a lasting impression on residents.

Whiteside says that when the Parks and Recreation department reached out recently to help with winter clothing donations he felt compelled to step up and extend a helping hand. Utilizing social media and his network, Whiteside managed to rally a group of like-minded individuals, resulting in the collection of over 40 winter items, including jackets, toboggan hats, earmuffs, and gloves.

These donations were originally scheduled to be distributed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but were delivered at a later date due to the recent winter storm. However, Whiteside did not let that stop him from helping others on the slain civil rights leader’s birthday. On MLK Day, he and a friend embarked on a journey to aid those seeking shelter from the harsh winter conditions. Their efforts focused on assisting homeless individuals, offering them rides to warming shelters, and providing much-needed support.

More recently Whiteside could been seen helping out at Marion MST with their cereal drive, called the Cereal Domino Effect, in which students were asked to bring in unopened boxes of cereal that were to be donated to Hope House. The students brought in an overwhelming 950 boxes of cereal and the day culminated with the boxes being lined up like dominos then ceremoniously tipped over.

Whiteside’s dedication to community involvement extends beyond one-time events. Last summer, he organized several voter registration drives, emphasizing the importance of active civic participation. “I want to lead by example,” Whiteside said. “If I expect people to volunteer and give up their time, I need to do it too.”

Looking ahead, Whiteside shows no signs of slowing down. He plans to continue partnering with Hope House, a local organization combating hunger, to deliver ongoing support. Additionally, he is working alongside the City of Marion to initiate a petition effort to raise the city hotel tax. This proposed increase, designated speci_cally for parks and recreation, aims to generate up to an additional 250k annually.

“The city already generates over 100k a year with a 1 percent tax, raising it to 3 percent could add up to an additional $250,000 annually without affecting local residents at all, since, well, they don’t stay at hotels.” said Whiteside.

Raymond Whiteside’s tireless efforts serve as an inspiration to West Memphis residents, encouraging them to actively contribute to their community. By leading by example, Whiteside is making a meaningful impact on the lives of many, and his work continues to shape a brighter future for West Memphis.

LEFT: Whiteside (second from right) is no stranger to community events in and around West Memphis and Marion. Here he poses with members of Hope House for Marion MST’s annual cereal food drive. RIGHT: Students at Marion MST collected over 950 boxes of cereal and donated them to Hope House, but not before setting them up and knocking them over like dominos!

Submitted photos