While many volunteers find their way to Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) through a love of barbecue, Bailey James found her way through a deep-seated desire to serve her neighbors. Bailey’s history with disaster relief is deeply personal. Having lived through the recurring threat of wildfires in her hometown of Oroville, California, she understands the emotional toll of displacement better than most.
“My family has been evacuated at least five times due to fires from 2017 to now,” Bailey explained. “Not knowing what comes next after a disaster is very scary.”
Her first hands-on deployment with OBR came during the devastating 2018 Camp Fire, where she and her mother, Abby James, jumped into action cooking and passing out meals to people impacted by the fire. For Bailey, this wasn’t just a volunteer opportunity; it was a responsibility to her community.
“For us, these weren’t just survivors of a disaster; they were our classmates, doctors, friends, and neighbors,” Bailey said. “Being able to bring comfort to those who lost everything was very meaningful.”
The inspiration to stay involved with OBR after the Camp Fire was homegrown. Bailey watched her mother join the Volunteer Management Team and saw firsthand the power of selfless service. This sparked a desire in Bailey to find her own lane within the organization, one that could merge her heart for service with her professional goals.
“Seeing my mom’s hard work and ability to help others was truly the start of my interest in volunteering with OBR,” Bailey said.
In 2024, Bailey reached out to the marketing team at OBR for their insight on a research project. A few months later, they asked if she would be interested in joining the team as a marketing volunteer, where she would help monitor comments and answer questions that come through social media. She jumped at the opportunity!
“Volunteering with OBR has helped me make an impact through community service and grow as a professional in the world of marketing,” Bailey said.
Perhaps the most touching moment of Bailey’s OBR journey occurred during the 2025 OBR Volunteer Awards. When Bailey was announced as the Behind the Heart Award winner, it marked a beautiful “full-circle” moment for the James family.
“My favorite memory was watching the 2025 Volunteer Awards with my mom,” Bailey shared. “It was very meaningful to me because she received the Behind the Heart award in 2020. I look up to her so much, and being able to share the same achievement six years later meant the world.”
For those who are on the fence about joining the OBR family, Bailey recalled a piece of advice her father often shares:
“In times of trouble, my dad always references what Mr. Rogers said, ‘Look for the helpers.’ YOU are the helpers! Even if what you do is small, it is making a huge positive impact for those who need it,” Bailey said.
Ready to join the OBR volunteer family? Download the “OBR Volunteers” smartphone app or visit our website at https://operationbbqrelief.org/volunteer/new-volunteers to discover opportunities in your area.
