Jimmy’s Friendship Fund was created three years ago in 2022. Jimmy’s Friendship Fund is intended to provide East Grand Rapids families with the money needed to be fully immersed in East Grand Rapids, whether that comes from helping out with winter needs, paying the entry fee for a sport, or paying for clubs.

“Jimmy was a friend to all, and he loved all extracurricular activities that existed within the school,” Amy Stuursma, the Executive Director of the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, said. “He felt like he was a part of every team, club, and social group, and so what he would have wanted more than anything was to make sure that all of our students had access to all of those activities and those experiences that exist. The Jimmy friendship fund was put into place as we see that some of our students have a financial barrier to either meeting basic needs in their home life or accessing some of the opportunities that exist like athletics, co-curriculars, drama, all of those things.” 

Jimmy’s Friendship Fund is a part of the Jimmy Gerkin Fund, which was created in 2008. 

“The Jimmy Gerkin fund was started back in 2008 by the Secchia family as a way to remember Jimmy Gerkin and the life lessons that he taught to the students who knew him as they went through. All of the [Secchia] kids went through the district, and it was a way to give back and ensure that the next generation had some of those same experiences,” Stuursma said. 

Most of the time, teachers, principals, and counselors in East will reach out to request to use Jimmy’s Friendship Fund for families that need support. 

“Kids and families might not make the ask, but principals see a kid who is unable to participate in something or doesn’t have basic needs. It’s done quietly and anonymously so there’s no stigma attached,” Jay Forstner, the Communications Director of the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, said.

Overall, East families should know that if they need support for their children to participate in extracurricular activities or need assistance with basic necessities, there is support. Although the fund is often referred to by principals or other faculty members, if a family needs support from the fund, it is easily accessible. 

“The best way to access the fund is through talking to one of the adults in their building who’s either in the guidance department or in the administration to let them know there’s a need. Then they can talk through that need and see if the Jimmy Friendship Fund is a fit for them,” Stuursma said.