"We rolled up our sleeves and did it ourselves," Campbell said in describing how he and other founding members ran WCCF as an all-volunteer organization until it was able to hire a full-time director.

 One of the things that appealed to him about WCCF was its ability to enable a donor to create an endowment to a cause that would ensure regular contributions long after the donor was gone.  "I really like the concept of endowment giving, and Barbara and I have been active in supporting that," he said. "We think very highly of the community foundation because of its endowment approach."

Attorney Charles Keller, who met Campbell when he represented him in a business matter, said he was impressed by Campbell's organizational skills and natural leadership abilities.

He said those skills, combined with Campbell's generosity, made him a natural in working with service and charitable organizations like Rotary, United Way and WCCF.  "He was a most generous person in giving of his time, leadership and his resources," said Keller, who also was a founding member of the community foundation.

Campbell also was one of the first people that Carlyn Belczyk met when she and her business partner Randy Guthrie moved their accounting firm to Washington and began working with nonprofit organizations around town.  "He was always willing to give not only of his expertise, but also gave very generously and gave anonymously," Belczyk said. "The money just showed up in organizations that sometimes came up short at the end of the year. It came from John."

Washington Hospital Chief Executive Officer Telford Thomas said Campbell has been a longtime board member of the hospital and its foundation, adding that he currently serves as a co-chairman of its capital campaign.  "He's always been supportive with his input, recommendations and certainly with his resources," Thomas said, adding that the Campbells "have been very warm in their giving to the hospital."

Campbell said he couldn't have become involved in philanthropic projects if it wasn't for his wife's support, adding that he and Barbara give to some projects individually and others jointly.

"I need the support of my wife and family, which has allowed us to do things that we might not have been able to do," Campbell said, adding that they have passed along their spirit of giving to their children, Mark and Lori.  "It's been a joint effort," said Barbara, who serves as chief financial officer at the insurance agency, adding that she's comfortable providing the support system and being behind the scenes while her husband is the public figure who represents both of their charitable efforts.  "He likes to be seen," she said. 

But Campbell said he also enjoys giving in not-so-visible ways, explaining that he also believes in practicing random acts of kindness, "giving in spur-of-the-moment, non-repetitive ways that have meaning only to be really seen by the recipient.  "Actually, giving makes me feel good," he said. 

By Michael Bradwell

                                                                                Business Editor

                                                                                Observer-Reporter

The following article and photo was printed on the front page of the Observer-Reporter on November 10, 2008.