Project to Launch with Cross-Country “Breaking Bread Tour”
Press Release – Pleasant Hill, Mo. (Feb. 27, 2019) – Former Army Green Beret and combat-wounded amputee Jarrid “Jay” Collins will run, bicycle and hand-cycle across America to raise awareness of Operation BBQ Relief’s (OBR) mission to provide year-round service to first responders, members of the military and the Fight on Hunger.
Beginning in April, Collins will travel nearly 3,000 miles for the “Breaking Bread Tour.” He’ll cover about 60 miles per day – from Los Angeles to Tampa, Fla. – completing his tour in time to participate in the 2019 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games in June, where adaptive athletes from around the world will compete in a variety of athletic events.
The “Breaking Bread Tour” will publicly launch OBR’s “Always Serving Project,” the organization’s first non-disaster relief program. Collins has been hired to lead the charge, while OBR will continue its core mission of serving hot meals to affected residents and emergency personnel during times of natural and other disasters.
During the 50-day journey across the U.S., the “Always Serving Project” will be preparing and serving barbecue meals to local first responders and military personnel while targeting the Fight on Hunger. People are encouraged to join Collins for portions of his journey, running or biking alongside him as well as serving at each major stop.
“OBR is committed to serving communities even when we’re not deployed on disaster relief. Jay’s leadership of the ‘Always Serving Project’ will help us grow and extend the healing power of barbecue year-round to more people,” says Stan Hays, President and CEO of OBR. “The ‘Breaking Bread Tour’ and Jay’s dedication to this cross-country journey will serve as a tremendous example of the positive impact this program can have.”
“I’ve long admired OBR’s mission and commitment to serving those in need. Now, through the ‘Always Serving Project,’ I’m thrilled to inspire and serve the communities of this country in a year-round capacity,” says Collins. “The ‘Breaking Bread Tour’ will give us the opportunity to share OBR’s incredible service with first responders, members of the military, the hungry and many others.”
For a map and tentative calendar of Collins’ “Breaking Bread Tour” journey, visit operationbbqrelief.org/alwaysservingproject. Progress updates, as well as photos and video footage of the tour, will be posted to the “Always Serving Project” social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
OBR depends on donations and volunteers to make a difference. Please visit operationbbqrelief.org to learn how you can help.
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