CK Faces:

Looking for a unique fund-raising event — Jerry Reid created his own in the form of the Rotary Annual Garage Sale (R.A.G.S.).

An event he founded eight years ago, Reid has taken on the role of chairman for the past six — although, like many of the organizations or events he heads up, he modestly explains it’s really a leadership role that takes the work of many, many people.

For Reid, a Bremerton Rotarian since 1987, it’s about giving something back to the community. The event, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 at the Fairground’s Pavilion, is a way for local Rotary Clubs to support the community while simultaneously providing an outlet for those who need to de-clutter and those in need of usable items at affordable prices.

“It encourages people to clean out attics and garages, it allows people from the community to come in and buy clean, used items and the money it generates is given back to the community,” he said. “It’s unbelievable. It’s people who can really use the stuff. It’s a great feeling.”

The fund-raiser is a community partnership of the five local Rotary clubs — Bremerton, East Bremerton, Silverdale Sunrise, Silverdale Noon and South Kitsap. Each club gets a portion of the proceeds and uses the money for various projects throughout the community. All of the items that remain at the end of the event are then donated to local charities.

For Silverdale Noon Rotarian Jack Hamilton, it is through R.A.G.S. that he has best come to know Reid.

“He is Mr. R.A.G.S.,” Hamilton said. “This is his baby, he is the driving force for the event ... He is an absolute gem to work with.”

Quickly realizing the “garage sale idea” is for the average person in Kitsap County, Reid is proud of the fund-raiser and what it has done for the community. Compared to the first year which Reid describes as “chaos,” he is happy with the organization surrounding the event — something Hamilton attributes to Reid.

“He gets everything laid out the way it’s supposed to be,” Hamilton said.

Although Reid keeps an active role in the community, he stresses the importance of more youth becoming involved.

“It takes someone to step in,” he said. “We need more young people to get involved.”

When Reid’s not involved with his “leadership roles” — which include the Boys and Girls Club, the Admiral Theater Board and many others — he remains active in his business, Reid Real Estate, which he started in 1967.

What was once one office in Purdy with seven real estate agents is now four offices — in Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard and Belfair — with 140 agents. Reid no longer sells but is now more of, what he calls, a consultant.

It was actually while working for his family’s business, Alpine Evergreen Company, in 1961 that Reid set his sights on real estate. He was asked to sell a piece of property and quickly realized he was successful at it. Branching off from the family business, Reid continues to operate his own Christmas tree farm, Alpine U-Cut, near the Bremerton National Airport.

When Reid is not running two businesses or volunteering his time, the 71-year-old can be found outdoors — usually bicycling and sometimes hiking and climbing.

“I ride a couple of thousand miles a year,” he said.

Topping the list of Reid’s most memorable outdoor adventures is his 1996 Alaskan dog sled trek from Anchorage to Nome, more than 1,150 miles across the Arctic tundra. Reid didn’t participate in the main event, dubbed the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, but did make the 23-day trip.

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