As a local business owner and community partner for over 20 years it was exciting to learn about Joy Squad and their mission to uplift others. We’ve sponsored several Joy Squad events and have been proud to have partnered with them. We look forward to many more Joy Squad projects and events in the future and witnessing the impact they make bringing positivity and appreciation to the forefront of our community!
Joy Squad contacted the Tallahassee Police Department reference serving breakfast to the officers and employees. When the morning came, I thought there would be 3-4 people and a small scale event. To my unbelievable surprise, there were approximately 25 people in Joy Squad shirts, a food truck (serving an amazing breakfast), music, give aways etc.. It was a whole production. The people wearing the Joy Squad shirts amazed me the most. Every single person had a big smile on their face. I started walking around to them and asking them about Joy Squad and why they joined. I immediately found the same commonality. Every single person wanted to serve, belong, and bring joy to the community. I see and hear horrible things every single day. Joining a service organization like Joy Squad, and working to make others happy, hopefully will keep a smile on my face like the 25 people I met at the police station, and make a difference in the community I already serve.
I have known the founder of Joy Squad, Lee Collier, for more than 10 years. She has always been generous, thoughtful, an exceptional friend and someone that can always share a laugh! I remember when she reached out to a group of her friends and asked us to help serve a meal at the local homeless shelter and we were all in. Sadly, COVID hit hard the week that we were to volunteer and everything got shut down. That did not deter Lee. She had the vision of the Joy Squad and as soon the world opened back up, she was off and running to make it happen. When she first revealed the logo to me, I got chills and knew immediately that this was going to be something special. The few events and meetings that I have been privileged to participate in with the Joy Squad have been extraordinary. What you have to understand is that the JOY comes to not only those on the receiving end of these amazing events, but those of us on the giving end as well. The incredible response and participation of our local community and the larger social media world is proof that the Joy Squad is just what the world needs right now. Lee’s “pea-brained” idea, as she calls it, is changing lives and making our community a better, happier place. I’m a proud member of the Joy Squad and can’t wait to watch this movement grow to spread light and love in the world in a big way.