Meet Joy.
She never understood why some people “have” and some don't. And making a difference in someone’s life has been at the forefront of her life, even as a child.
Joy Campbell is a young philanthropist, from Orangeburg SC, born June 13th 1985 to parents John and Jestine Campbell. After not having children for 11 years of marriage, it seemed suiting to call this baby girl “Joy”. And that she was, always giving and loving and wanting to help others. She was always into everything from choir, track, North Charleston Police Cadets, JROTC, her favorite of all activities was “outreach”. Joy’s motto is, “love God and love God's people”.
Growing up Joy didn't feel like she had a gift or special talent, she just loved to serve others.
“I feel like I spent half my life trying to figure out what I wanted to do in life, where do I fit in, and how can I make it. I always ask myself, “what can I do for somebody else that is less fortunate?”.
Joy’s life changed when her dad introduced her to Mr. Anthony Wright, legendary Charleston Peanut Man. At age 20 Joy went to work with Mr. Wright as a “Peanut Girl”. Through ups and downs he always told her, “you can be and do whatever you want”, and this encouragement changed her whole life!
“I feel like I spent half my life trying to figure out what I wanted to do in life, where do I fit in, and how can I make it. I always ask myself, “what can I do for somebody else that is less fortunate?”
Joy’s mission to reach and bless countless individuals and families, has been evident with this successful drive throughout the Charleston area, having distributed over 800+ coats last year. And in last quarter of 2017, Joy even spent 8 weeks in Texas to expanded her drive to not only include coats, but also other necessary supplies for the Hurricane Victims in the Houston area.
With Mr. Wright's support and her family's love, she launched an Annual Coat Drive in 2011. Over the years, Joy's philanthropy expanded to include various initiatives, from providing coats and Christmas parties to underprivileged teens to Hurricane Relief efforts in Houston, Texas, and Puerto Rico.
In 2016, she founded iServeWithJoy, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the community and beyond. iServeWithJoy's collaborative community initiatives during the pandemic alone have been remarkable,
including:
• Garnering and distributing 20,000+ medical-grade masks
• Providing 5000+ families with non-perishable food items
• Packing and distributing 15,000+ wireless earphones to students working virtually throughout SC
• Providing hygiene kits to 1500+ teens and adults in the Lowcountry
• Hosting a Christmas party for 200+ displaced teens
• Providing 400+ toys to underserved children
• Connecting 500+ single-parent families to stabilizing community resources
Joy's dedication earned her the "SHINING STAR" award from the North Charleston Police Department and the Tywanza Sanders Spotlight Award, reflecting her unwavering commitment to serving with love and compassion. In 2023, she was honored as the Jefferson Award winner for her extraordinary contributions.
Joy's dream is simple: to serve others. With your continued support, volunteering, and donations, iServeWithJoy will continue to make a profound impact on our community and the world.
"I am one person with one dream to serve others, and with your continued support, volunteering, and donations, iServeWithJoy will do more to serve the community and world.”