🎙️ Podcast Intro: Honoring Leadership with Steve Anderson

Welcome to today’s episode, where we celebrate the heart of service and leadership. Each year, Operation BBQ Relief presents the Leadership Award to a volunteer who embodies trust, inspires others, and leads by example. The 2023 recipient, Steve Anderson, is the perfect reflection of those qualities.

Steve first discovered Operation BBQ Relief in 2021 when devastating floods hit Waverly, Tennessee. Drawn by the mission of combining barbecue with helping people in times of need, Steve jumped in—and never looked back. His first deployment was in Hazard, Kentucky, after floods struck in 2022. It was there that Steve experienced his defining “OBR Why” moment: delivering a hot meal to a woman who hadn’t eaten in days, just before her 95th birthday. That simple act of kindness—and the joy it brought—cemented his commitment to serve.

Since then, Steve has volunteered hundreds of hours, deploying to disaster zones across the country and supporting military members, veterans, and first responders through OBR’s Always Serving Project. Today, as Area Coordinator for Tennessee, Steve continues to lead with passion and purpose, making the worst day in someone’s life a little better—one hot meal at a time.

Stay tuned as we dive into Steve’s journey, his leadership philosophy, and what drives him to keep serving. And if you’re inspired by his story, visit operationbbqrelief.org/volunteer-obr or download the “OBR Volunteers” app to join this incredible mission.