From: Stan Hays <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 3:10 PM
To: <undisclosed-recipients:;>
Subject: Hurricane Ian Update from Port Charlotte, FL - Another Milestone
Partners, Sponsors, and Supporters (You are receiving this as a BCC but intended for you) Feel free to forward to others.
Operation BBQ Relief hit a major milestone today as we broke our previous record for the most meals served during a single deployment. In 2018 following Hurricane Michael, Operation BBQ Relief served 808,220 during our 30 day deployment. Yesterday we announced that we have provided 814,528 meals in response to Hurricane Ian during the past 33 days of serving meals. We are amazed at the generosity of sponsors, volunteers, and supporters as we share the healing power of BBQ. We have had over 800 volunteers from 26 states that helped share the one hot meal that matters.
Take the time to watch this less than 7 minute video to see the Operation BBQ Relief team in action to send meals to Sanibel Island. It's a herculean task that transforms the hearts and souls of volunteers and staff. We started off in the early morning hours from Port Charlotte, FL. We began by pulling meat from the smoker and then transferring thousands of meals via forklift and crossing over to Sanibel to deliver the one hot meal that matters.
I have also included a story below that will warm your heart on why the healing power of BBQ is two-fold as both the volunteer assisting in preparing the meals also benefits alongside with the meal recipient. Gary Brownsberger is a United States veteran and Operation BBQ Relief volunteer that was inspired while serving with us in southwest Florida. We are grateful for Gary’s service and all individuals that have given their time and support.
Thank you to all volunteers, sponsors, and supporters!
Much respect,
Stan Hays
Donate or volunteer: https://operationbbqrelief.org
“I have been volunteering with Operation BBQ Relief following Hurricane Ian. Somehow, you people have managed to create a business model that is self motivating!!
You’ve created an environment where you just work so hard but feel like you should do more! You're worn out, yet you do not want to leave your team! I've worked for several days and took the day off today to pace myself. It’s killing me! I look out my window seeing my new friends work, and I want to be out there!
What we’re doing here is not complicated, it’s not magic. We’re just putting hot food in people's tummies!
I am a person with a disability. I have a paralyzed right leg, a pinched sciatic nerve on my left, and a bad back. I have to go back to my camper and take several breaks throughout the day but no one cares! No one even questions it. They just appreciate all the things that I accomplish! They are always pushing me to slow down. But when you see that every meal matters! Well, that’s kind of it, isn’t it? EVERY MEAL MATTERS.
Understand I'm a veteran who has eaten my share of MRE’s (meals ready-to-eat). When I went out and passed out meals, a lady came up to me and said 'my husband and I can eat the MRE’s but I can’t get my three children to eat them. May I have three of your meals?'
I said no you may not, but you may have five! I then set her up to find out where to eat hot lunches and dinners at the places we deliver to, and instructed her to not give another MRE to her children!! You cannot imagine how happy this woman was. I myself couldn't sleep that night. I kept imagining kids eating MRE’s.
I won’t lie, everything I have is sore and hurts! But I feel happier in the middle of all this devastation than I have in years!! I can see firsthand the difference I'm making! For the first time in a while, I feel like the earth is better off with me on it! So it’s I that wants to thank you! I’m staying here until you MAKE me leave!”
Gary Brownsberger
Veteran and Volunteer
Operation BBQ Relief
Donate or volunteer: https://operationbbqrelief.org/
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