Since 2017, Joy Lloyd has served Operation BBQ Relief behind the scenes first as a virtual volunteer and now as a Senior Volunteer Coordinator, performing tasks from her home such as coordinating and setting up deployments and projects, training volunteers, communicating with deployment site coordinators, distributing communications through the OBR Volunteers app, and assisting volunteers with deployment issues, just to name a few of the duties. Joy said her first virtual volunteer experience with Operation BBQ Relief, during a deployment to provide meals to people impacted by a derecho in Iowa, was inspirational.
“After speaking with the volunteers and victims of the disaster personally, I realized that Operation BBQ Relief provides more than just that One Hot Meal That Matters. We provide hope, love, understanding, a listening ear, and caring for their situation without question… it spoke to my heart,” Joy said.
Ever since that first deployment, Joy hit the ground running and hasn’t slowed down. She received our Behind the Heart Award for 2022, which is an award presented to an individual who works tirelessly, and often unseen, behind the scenes to make the organization successful. She also earned the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award for volunteering more than 500 hours in 2022.
“There’s always a place for everyone in Operation BBQ Relief, regardless of skill level. I don’t cook. I was afraid I had nothing to offer as an administrative type of person for most of my career, but I found a place in Operation BBQ Relief that could utilize my skills,” Joy said. “Whatever your past experience is, there is a place for you. It takes a village to provide the services Operation BBQ Relief provides.”
Do you know an Operation BBQ Relief volunteer who has gone above and beyond in their service to our mission? Click the link to nominate them for a 2023 Operation BBQ Relief Volunteer Award: https://survey.sogolytics.com/survey1.aspx?k=RVsQVRXWXsTQsPsPsP&lang=0
