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Unity: It's People Helping People

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By DEREK MAUL, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 10, 2007

EDITOR'S NOTE: This occasional series spotlights the heads of local charities and civic organizations. This week's column features Joyce Jordan, president/founder of Unity in the Community. The organization's telephone number is (813) 752-1275.

PLANT CITY - Joyce Jordan has dedicated her life to helping others. Her parents taught her to give and she is committed to the task.

'If you love your community, and want to keep your community strong, then we need your help,' Jordan said. 'We're fixing to kick off a membership drive; it's a new thing. That way we'll have more ideas, more people and more investment in our community. We all pull together and we'll get it done.'

Q. What exactly is Unity in the Community?

A. We're a nonprofit, started to help the needy. Everyone is a volunteer, and every penny stays in Plant City. This is our ninth year.

Q. Where do funds go?

A. We give to Meals on Wheels - we're their largest contributor, we support the United Food Bank, and we work with 14 elementary school guidance counselors to provide 140-180 families with everything it takes to make a Thanksgiving dinner.

Q. How do you raise money?

A. May or June, Sweetbay grocery sponsors a golf tournament; Sept. 22 we had our annual Gospel Jamboree concert; our yard sale is Friday and Saturday at the Wheeler Street Sweetbay; our third Haunted Halloween House will be a half-mile north of Knights-Griffin Road on Paul Buchman Highway, Oct. 25-27, 31; then Hopewell Funeral Home is hosting a Lantern Ghost Walk benefit Oct. 27 in McCall Park.

Q. Anything else?

A. We built a concession trailer just over a year ago. It's board member Linda Fuhrman's project. We haul it around to events and sell hotdogs, cappuccinos, etc. We can do all the goodies.

Q. How much have you raised?

A. Around $40,000 last year, and over $150,000 since 1999.

Q. What inspired you?

A. Talking with friends. My family always taught us kids there was always someone worse off. There were seven brothers and sisters from a very poor sharecropping family.

Q. How long have you lived in Plant City?

A. We came to Dover in 1948, I was 5. My parents Ila Mae and John T. Howell had no education, they worked long hours. I dropped out of Turkey Creek High School and married Harold Herring in 1958 when I was still 14. He passed away in 1976.

Q. How many children do you have?

A. Had my first, Tina, at 17; she lives in Georgia. Denise is in Lakeland, Joey lives in Dover, and Dwayne is in Plant City. I have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Q. Where have you worked?

A. I was a waitress and cashier while I was married. Then I worked in a strawberry packing shed eight seasons. I was with The Courier Shopper 19 years. Classified, sales, then manager of sales 1983 till the end of 2001 when I came home, went to bed, and woke up in the hospital with a brain tumor.

Q. How is your health now?

A. My doctor said focusing on Unity in the Community has helped me heal. It's like a medicine.

Q. Is the community supportive?

A. Plant City has been very good to Unity. It's unique because it's based from the heart. We all want to be a part of Plant City, it's all for the people around us. People help people; it's close knit. Our chamber of commerce here is great; everybody works together and wants to help.

Q. Is Unity supported by the church?

A. We have churches who help; but we're not backed by any one church. We all love God, but it has its roots in the community.

Q. Where do you worship?

A. I go to Harmony Baptist Church.

Q. What else are you involved in?

A. I'm chairwoman of the board for Meals on Wheels, I've been an ambassador with the chamber.

Q. What do you do for fun?

A. I dabble in oil painting. I do a few shows and I exhibit around town. I like to cook. I do 'Granny J' food products. I collect elephants.

Q. What's your favorite eating spot?

A. The Red Rose Room at the Red Rose Inn and Suites.

Q. What are you reading?

A. 'Tales from Grace Chapel.' Guideposts puts it out.

Q. Do you like music?

A. I love gospel, I usually have a CD going.

Q. Any last words of wisdom?

A. I always say, if you want something done, ask a busy person.

Is there someone you would like profiled? Call Derek Maul at (813) 245-2304 or e-mail him at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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