Volunteer Recognition
2021 Volunteer Awards
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year Award
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies volunteerism and is recognized for their outstanding contributions to Operation BBQ Relief. Rod Cramer was one of the nicest guys in competition BBQ. He was always so positive and everyone’s biggest cheerleader. Rod was one of the first volunteers to arrive in Joplin nearly 10 years ago, and through Rod, Operation BBQ Relief received the first corporate gift after becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Rod stayed engaged up to the very end when he lost his battle to leukemia. This award was named after Rod because of the heart, work ethic, friendship, and respect he embodied. These are key traits of our Volunteer of the Year Louis Pratt!
Operation BBQ Relief’s 2021 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year is Louis Pratt. One of the most humble volunteers to ever grace Operation BBQ Relief and someone who would probably tell you how others deserve this award more, Louis is truly an amazing volunteer and liked by everyone. He’s done it all, too. Whether it’s coordinating numerous non-disaster events in The Always Serving Project or doing any task on deployment from cooking to cleaning to helping the camp chef, Louis is always there working hard. He’s quickly become a volunteer leader in the organization and a vital part of disaster deployments. He’s taken on and excelled at the daunting role of Site Lead on numerous occasions now. He has not only helped improve the role, but his efforts set the bar for others. Rarely will you find him tucked away in a corner on a deployment; that’s not his style. He’s the type of leader out there in the trenches getting his hands dirty while still effectively leading the entire team. And he does it all with a smile, a kind word, and an unwavering dedication to excellence all the while without any expectation of acknowledgement. Thank you, Louis, for your unparalleled efforts and service. Operation BBQ Relief is proud to call you the 2021 Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year!
The Heart Award
The Heart Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary level of giving spirit.
The recipient of the 2021 Heart Award is Scott Guy. Scott has made such a large impact on Operation BBQ Relief. His dedication is inspiring. Whether it’s putting in time at the Memphis warehouse cleaning and repairing equipment or on site on deployment making sure set up goes smoothly, Scott will be there to do it. Scott has been involved with Operation BBQ Relief for many years and puts his heart into everything he does. There is no award more fitting for him than The Heart Award. Congratulations and thank you Scott for all that you do!
The Motivational Award
The Motivational Award is presented to an individual who has made a remarkable impact on morale at a deployment or event.
The recipient of the 2021 Motivational Award is Tom Barowsky or, as most of you probably know him, Doc. Doc is one you always see going the extra mile to make all volunteers feel welcome and like part of the family. Constantly upbeat and positive, he engages with everyone and loves to share his “why” with new volunteers. In addition to his engaging behavior, his positive attitude and willingness to do any task asked of him silently speaks volumes to others further motivating them to excel. Thank you, Doc, for being such an inspiration!
The Road Warrior Award
The Road Warrior Award is presented to an individual who has not let travel, distance, and/or time hinder their participation in deployments or events.
The 2021 Road Warrior award goes to Stephen Campbell. In 2021, Stephen not only supported numerous deployments, but as part of the inventory team often had to be one of the first ones in or last ones out to make sure in onsite inventory was properly accounted for. Logging so many miles to deployments and literally hundreds of hours to make sure Operation BBQ Relief could put out “the one hot meal that matters” makes him a true road warrior. Thank you, Stephen!
The Quecomer Award
The Quecomer Award is presented to an individual who entered into the disaster relief scene as a brand-new volunteer with Operation BBQ Relief for the first time and made quite a huge impression on those around them right from the start.
The 2021 Quecomer is Calsey Cross, better known as “CC” to anyone who was on a deployment in 2021. From washing pit racks at her first deployment in Waverly, TN to working on sides in Hammond, LA to being Sides Lead in Mayfield, KY, 2021 was CC’s breakout year. Her “let’s get it done” attitude was contagious and there was never a job she wasn’t willing to do and do well while also looking for process improvements along the way. CC has proven herself as a great asset to Operation BBQ Relief time and time again as a constant go-getter. Thank you, CC for such a great year!
The Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is presented to those who make life a little easier by introducing an idea or invention which has been put into service at deployments, events, and/or behind the scenes.
This year’s recipient of the 2021 Innovation Award is not just one person; it goes out to a host of people who have had a hand in producing some very innovative things. Congratulations to the KC Warehouse team. There are too many people to try to name everyone without missing someone, but at the end of the day there are a handful who lead this amazing team to successful outputs time and time again. At the helm are Shane Petzold, Stuart Cohen, David Whittaker, Mark Mathis, and Jon Orr. From conceptualizing ideas to the full build-out of some amazing things like the Kitchen Support Trailer, the KST. Anyone who has seen the KST on deployment knows how vital it has become for Operation BBQ Relief’s success.
Congratulations to the entire KC Warehouse team! We can’t wait to see what you all come up with next!
The Behind the Heart Award
The Behind the Heart award is presented to an individual who works tirelessly, and often unseen, behind the scenes at Operation BBQ Relief to make the organization successful.
The recipient of the 2021 Behind the Heart award is Mike Schweerian, often known to many as “Jet Blue”. While “Jet Blue” is known to most for the time he spends on disaster deployments, there is so much more that he does behind the scenes. From helping set up and executing non-disaster events to being an integral part of launching the new Tampa Warehouse, Mike is always there outside the spotlight to help in any capacity to make Operation BBQ Relief successful! Thank you, Mike, for all that you do behind the scenes!
The Grassroots Award
The Grass Roots Award is presented to those who put their BBQ skills and knowledge to work outside of Operation BBQ Relief deployments/events to serve and inform their own communities in an exceptional manner.
This year’s recipients are Mike and Elaine Moore. While Mike and Elaine certainly give a lot of time and effort to Operation BBQ Relief, it is just as easy to find them caring for their local community as well. From serving meals locally and contributing in so many other ways that it would take too long to list, there is nothing they won’t do to help others. Whether it is service to others or just a kind word, Mike and Elaine give it their all to care for others which is what this award is about. And along the way they continue to spread the Operation BBQ Relief story as well in their community, at BBQ competitions, and to anyone that will listen. Thank you Mike and Elaine for all that you do!
The Leadership Award
The Leadership Award is presented to an individual who displays the utmost in leadership characteristics.
The recipient of the 2021 Leadership award is Jason Perrigin. Jason is a born leader and it shows in every way. His passion, energy, and leadership always come with a smile and big please and thank you. His approachable demeanor makes it easy for volunteers both old and new to connect with him. While a great motivator and coordinator, he’s also not afraid to get his hands dirty whether he’s teaching someone new to the task or because he’s leading by example when the work simply needs to get done. He’s been involved in numerous disaster deployments and has emerged as an exceptional leader while remaining one of the most humble people you could ever meet. Thank you Jason for being an awesome leader and mentor!
2020 Volunteer Awards
Congratulations to all the 2020 nominees and recipients!
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year – Rob Lee
The Heart Award – Chris Creech and Family
The Motivational Award – Nelson Creech
The Road Warrior Award – Mike Moore
The Quecomer Award – Donnie Paul
The Innovation Award – Mike “Jet Blue” Schwirian
The Behind the Heart Award – Abby James
The Grassroots Award – David Keith
The Leadership Award – Mike Richter
2019 Volunteer Awards
Congratulations to the following volunteers!
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year – Alan Nichols
The Heart Award – Chris Wilson Sr. And Family
The Motivational Award – Mike Richter
The Road Warrior Award – Robert Lee
The Quecomer Award – Harry & Sharon Leonard
The Innovation Award – Scott Guy
The Behind the Heart Award – Cheryl Baylie
The Grass Roots Award – Donnie Paul
The Leadership Award – Brian Polak
Alan Nichols, center, The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year
2018 Volunteer Awards
Laurie Polak, center, The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to the following volunteers!
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year Award – Laurie Polak
The Leadership Award – Joey Rusek
The Heart Award – David Keith
The Que’ Comer Award – Cheryl McDonald
The Road Warrior Award – Michael Moore
The Innovation Award – Paul Carnell
The Motivation Award – Leigh Carnell
Volunteer of the Year Past Recipients
All Past Awards
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year – Louis Pratt
The Heart Award – Scott Guy
The Motivational Award – Tom “Doc” Barowsky
The Road Warrior Award – Stephen Campbell
The Quecomer Award – Calsey Cross
The Innovation Award – KC Warehouse Team
The Behind the Heart Award – Mike Schweerian
The Grassroots Award – Mike and Elaine Moore
The Leadership Award – Jason Perrigin
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year – Rob Lee
The Heart Award – Chris Creech and Family
The Motivational Award – Nelson Creech
The Road Warrior Award – Mike Moore
The Quecomer Award – Donnie Paul
The Innovation Award – Mike “Jet Blue” Schwirian
The Behind the Heart Award – Abby James
The Grassroots Award – David Keith
The Leadership Award – Mike Richter
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year – Alan Nichols
The OBR Heart Award – Chris Wilson Sr. And Family
The Motivational Award – Mike Richter
The Road Warrior Award – Robert Lee
The Quecomer Award – Harry & Sharon Leonard
The Innovation Award – Scott Guy
The Behind the Heart Award – Cheryl Baylie
The Grass Roots Award – Donnie Paul
The Leadership Award – Brian Polak
The Rod Cramer Volunteer of the Year Award – Laurie Polak
The Leadership Award – Joey Rusek
The Heart Award – David Keith
The Que’ Comer Award – Cheryl McDonald
The Road Warrior Award – Michael Moore
The Innovation Award – Paul Carnell
The Motivation Award – Leigh Carnell
Volunteer of the Year – Joey Rusek
Leadership Award – Dewayne Daniels
Volunteer of the Year – Bryan Ropollo
Volunteer of the Year – Paul Peterson
Volunteer of the Year – John Wheeler
Volunteer of the Year – Bryan McLarty
Volunteer of the Year – Robert Taylor
Founders Coin Recipients
The “Founders Coin” was created to recognize individuals who have provided exceptional service to Operation BBQ Relief. The coin is given by the Founders Stan Hays and Will Cleaver.
Caught Doing Good Stories
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