Volunteer Recognition
It’s time for volunteer nominations for the 2023 Operation BBQ Relief Volunteer Awards!
Do you know a fellow Operation BBQ Relief volunteer who goes above and beyond in their service to our mission? Is there someone who has made a lasting impact on your experience with Operation BBQ Relief? We want to hear all about them! Nominations for the 2023 Volunteer Awards are now open, and we’re looking to recognize volunteers who have motivated and inspired you.
To nominate one or more volunteers, click the button below and complete the nomination form with their information and why they deserve to be recognized. We will take these nominations throughout 2023, so whenever you see an outstanding volunteer in action please share their story with us so we can celebrate them in 2024!
2023 Award Nominations will be accepted until January 14, 2024
2022 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 12 years ago, and through Rod, Operation BBQ Relief got its first corporate gift after becoming a 501c3. 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!
Mike is a constant presence on deployments and at events. His tireless efforts and willingness to jump in and help wherever needed make him an invaluable asset to our organization. His fellow volunteers praised his leadership, hard work, and innovative problem-solving skills. He always goes above and beyond to ensure our mission is a success.
Congratulations, Mike, on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for your incredible dedication and service to Operation BBQ Relief. You are a true inspiration and embodiment of what it means to be an Operation BBQ Relief Volunteer!
The Heart Award
The Heart Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary level of giving spirit.
Harry & Sharon have been involved in many events throughout the year, traveling thousands of miles for Operation BBQ Relief and giving their time and efforts to fulfill our mission.They are always willing to take on any task, working tirelessly behind the scenes, and their kindness and generosity are truly remarkable.
Congratulations and thank you, Harry and Sharon, for your incredible dedication to Operation BBQ Relief!
The Motivational Award
The Motivational Award is presented to an individual who has made a remarkable impact on morale at a deployment or event.
This retired firefighter from Clearwater, Florida brings energy to everything he does. Whether delivering the very first OBR meals to law enforcement officers the day after Hurricane Ian, acting as Camp Host or the safety and sanitation lead, Alan always does it with a smile and motivates everyone around him.
Congratulations, Alan, and thank you for all that you do for Operation BBQ Relief!
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.
Doc has been an incredibly dedicated volunteer, attending nearly every deployment and event over the past few years, and all at his own expense. Everytime Operation BBQ Relief turns around, Doc is there, working tirelessly to support our mission. His commitment to our cause is truly inspiring, and we are grateful for his selfless contributions.
Congratulations, Doc, and thank you for your unwavering dedication to Operation BBQ Relief!
The Quecomer Award
The Quecomer Award is presented an individual who made a huge impression as a brand new volunteer with Operation BBQ Relief.
Ann stepped right into her role on her first day and made people enjoy being there. She sacrificed her personal vacation to volunteer with Operation BBQ Relief not once, but twice! Ann’s willingness to step up and make a difference in the lives of others is truly inspiring, and we are grateful for her exceptional dedication and contribution to Operation BBQ Relief.
Congratulations, Ann, and thank you for your remarkable contribution to our mission!
The Innovation Award
2022 Recipient: Calsey “CC” Cross
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.
CC’s process for calling out can counts has all but eliminated shortages on the sides selection, proving to be a genius solution to a common problem! Her “let’s get it done” attitude has proven her to be a great asset to Operation BBQ Relief time and time again.
Congratulations, CC, and thank you for your incredible innovation and commitment to our mission!
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.
Joy has been an indispensable asset to every event in Florida, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Despite late-night questions and early-morning check ins, she maintains a seamless operation. Always ready to help, she has been instrumental in refining and documenting deployment processes to better onboard new team members. Joy’s dedication and hard work have been invaluable to Operation BBQ Relief, and we couldn’t be more grateful for all she has done.
Congratulations, Joy, and thank you for your outstanding contribution to our organization!
The Grassroots Award
2022 Recipient: John David Wheeler
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.
John David gives back to his community and represents Operation BBQ Relief every chance he gets. He is always championing our organization from Days of Giving at Thanksgiving and Christmas to always being ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. John has always been a huge part of Operation BBQ Relief, coordinating two feedings every year during the holidays and continuing to keep Operation BBQ Relief present in the Memphis area during Days of Giving.
Congratulations, John David, and thank you for your relentless dedication to Operation BBQ Relief and your community!
The Leadership Award
2022 Recipient: Louis Pratt
The Leadership Award is presented to an individual who displays the utmost in leadership characteristics.
Louis exemplifies leadership, always motivating and excelling at all tasks while remaining people-focused. He always eats last, showing his commitment to serving others.He has proven himself to be a natural-born leader within Operation BBQ Relief.
Congratulations Louis, and thank you for your outstanding leadership and dedication!
2021 Volunteer Awards
Congratulations to all the 2021 nominees and recipients!
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 “Jet Blue” Schweerian
The Grassroots Award – Mike and Elaine Moore
The Leadership Award – Jason Perrigin
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 – Michael “Jet Blue” Schwirian
The Heart Award – Harry & Sharon Leonard
The Motivational Award – Alan Jones
The Road Warrior Award – Tom “Doc” Barowsky
The Quecomer Award – Ann Birk
The Innovation Award – Calsey “CC” Cross
The Behind the Heart Award – Joy Lloyd
The Grassroots Award – John David Wheeler
The Leadership Award – Louis Pratt
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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