Many things can be said about volunteering, we are blessed to have the best volunteers in the world – huge hearts, strong willed and determined.  They are family!

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali

“Only a life lived for others is worth living.” — Albert Einstein

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — William Shakespeare

Volunteer of the Year

Bryan Roppolo is the 2016 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year for Operation BBQ Relief. In reviewing the nominations for 2016, Bryan was nominated and the executive team removed his nominations, as we have a long standing policy that the Volunteer of the Year can not come from the Board or Executive Team. We were extremely excited about the impressive list of nominees in front of us. As things were coming down to the wire and the team had vigorous debate over the amazing reasons all the nominees could and should have won, Bryan’s name started popping up again. We lost sight of the fact that Bryan was not on the Executive Team in 2016. It then became clear to us that Bryan was the most amazing volunteer for OBR in 2016. It was hard for the Executive Team to work this award around Bryan in his presence, but we did.

Bryan’s contributions to OBR in 2016 are long. He ran two deployments in 2016 and participated in many more. The Hammond, LA Deployment served more meals then we have ever served in a disaster by three fold. He helped to put together systems over the year to ensure we could replicate that successful deployment. Bryan also built team infrastructure. As people met and worked with Bryan, they were compelled to further steep themselves in OBR and with Bryan. Bryan’s leadership and volunteerism are beyond approach, but most people will recognize his contagious positive can-do spirit as his greatest strength. Bryan Roppolo is the 2016 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year for Operation BBQ Relief. Congratulations and Thank Q for all you do!

Volunteer of the Year Past Recipients

Bryan Roppolo, Operation BBQ Relief’s 2016 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year. In reviewing the nominations for 2016, Bryan was nominated and the executive team removed his nominations, as we have a long standing policy that the Volunteer of…
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Paul Peterson, Operation BBQ Relief’s 2015 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year, loves cooking for large groups and has a passion for helping others. Like a lot of OBR volunteers, Paul was moved by watching the effects of a devastating tornado…
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John Wheeler, Operation BBQ Relief’s 2014 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year “It’s an honor to even be considered for volunteer of the year. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my family, friends and team members. Thanks…
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Bryan McLarty, Operation BBQ Relief’s 2013 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year.  In this interview, Bryan tells his story of how he and OBR got started. How did you get involved in OBR? Like several others, I was chatting on a BBQ forum…
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Founders Coin Recipients

The “Founders Coin” was created to recognize someone who has gone far and above what others have done for OBR.  This coin is given by the Founders (Stan Hays and Will Cleaver) and is a unanimous decision.  These can be given out anytime and anywhere for people who embody the core of what OBR is in the daily actions.

Scott Guy is one of the “Memphis Crew” for OBR. For those who do not know, Scott is a Master Airplane Mechanic for a large shipping company out of Memphis. It is our opinion that Scott is an Airplane Mechanic because Pilots need Heroes too!…
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Nick Woolfolk is one hard working man. He has to be to keep up with his mentor and past Volunteer of the Year John Wheeler. He certainly goes down as the pitmaster of the year for Operation BBQ Relief in 2016. He manned the pits and was responsible…
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Dewayne Daniel is true Southern Gentleman with a heart as big as the moon. He has been to multiple deployments and tirelessly works while keeping spirits high. He often can be seen rolling trucks, trailers, and equipment across the country…
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John Wheeler, Operation BBQ Relief’s 2014 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year "It’s an honor to even be considered for volunteer of the year. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my family, friends and team members. Thanks…
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Caught Doing Good Stories

The “Caught Doing Good” coin is given to an individual, whether or not it is OBR related, when that individual is caught doing something good for someone else.  You are given 2 coins – one to keep, and one to give out.  When you catch someone exemplifying “Caught Doing Good,” you give them one coin and get a picture of them and let them know their act is appreciated.  You then send us an email and we will post your story and picture and send you another coin.

Keep it up!!