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Operation BBQ Relief Event
To us, BBQ means community, and we couldn’t think of an organization that shares our belief more than Operation BBQ Relief. Born in May 2011, the operation was founded in response to a need for natural disaster relief for displaced families and first responders. To date, they’ve served more than 9 million meals, delivering the ultimate comfort food across the United States to those in need — BBQ.
That’s why BBQGuys was a proud sponsor of the Operation BBQ Relief Celebrity BBQ Academy & Golf Classic in May of 2022. The event took place in an effort to raise money for the organization and its expanding ventures. The day started with a scramble-format golf tournament, followed by the BBQ Academy and finally, an awards party and silent auction.
The BBQGuys team participated in the BBQ Academy, which offered an introduction to the art and science of BBQ, along with a demonstration using the tools of the trade, taught by world-champion competition BBQers. Our team was paired with Kansas-natives and pitmasters Greg Hastie and Brad Colter, who offered their expertise on smoking ribs and pork tenderloin, perfectly searing steaks, and competition-level techniques for preparation and presentation. “I’ve worked in the BBQ industry for years now, but I’ve never been a big griller. Everything Greg taught me made the whole process seem a lot more approachable and fun,” said Abigail Phillips, a brand manager here at BBQGuys.
Throughout the event, the BBQGuys team was reminded of how important organizations like OBR are, and that their mission can truly make a difference. After all, just as everyone should have a seat at the barbecue, everyone deserves a warm meal and a roof over their head, and Operation BBQ Relief works to provide that to families in need every day.
With their newly-launched Camp OBR, a 180-acre recreational facility on the Lake of the Ozarks, they will provide a place for veterans, military personnel, and first responder and their families to heal. Through long-term programs focused on overcoming physical, mental, and emotional challenges, strengthening families, and engaging in quality rest and relaxation, they hope to provide support and compassion to those that serve our nation and communities.
“It’s so great to partner with such an amazing organization that shares so many of our core values,” said Emily Guardalabene, Customer Marketing Manager here at BBQGuys. “OBR put together a great event that perfectly demonstrated how much love and compassion there is in BBQ, and I don’t think we could have found a better or more caring organization to work with.” We’re thankful for the hard work from this organization, and we encourage you give what you can to help OBR further their mission.
