The Heart of Hurricane Relief

Buckle up because I'm about to take you on a ride into the heart of a hurricane relief mission like no other.

I've been in the behind-the-scenes groove as the Communications Director for Operation Airdrop (OAD) for nearly 3 years, where my main role is all about organizing, communicating, and spreading the word about our mission through social media.

But this mission was a completely different experience for me! Hurricane Ian gave me a chance to dive headfirst into the action, and man, was it an experience to remember!

What is Operation Airdrop?

Operation Airdrop is a nonprofit superhero based in Denton, Texas. The nonprofit sprang to life after the devastating Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Our mission? Rallying volunteer pilots and their trusty aircraft to swoop in and deliver life-saving supplies to disaster-hit areas before the clock even knows what hit it.

When disaster strikes, OAD doesn't mess around. We partner with local charities and organizations, and municipal airports to mobilize relief efforts within hours. This is possible because our volunteer pilots fly supplies in their aircraft to towns inaccessible by roads. Specializing in hurricane relief, we fill the critical gap to provide relief when no one else can get to those stranded.

Think about this: diapers for the littlest ones, crucial medications like insulin, warm meals that can light up a soul, generators for power – you name it, we're there. If someone's in need, we're on it. We send out the call and our amazing network of pilots from every nook and cranny of the nation jump into action.

Sites set on Hurricane Ian.

The OAD crew always has their radar on watching for potential natural disasters, especially hurricanes. When news hits of an upcoming storm, the whole team leaps into action. Countless calls, meetings, and discussions, all to figure out where the storm's heading, how fierce it's going to be, and what communities might take a hit. Our contacts, our team, and our previous volunteers – we're all on the same frequency, ready to step in and make a difference.

Once we have a plan, we set it in motion. Reaching out to our network of more than 2,000 volunteer pilots. As usual, they all race to sign up for various legs of our supply drop mission. Next, we blast our relief mission out to our online followers who rally to collect donations. Even in the midst of the storm's chaos, everyone pitches in to supply donations, both tangible and monetary. Our faithful partners, oh man, they're like our wingmen in this operation. They come through with sizzling hot meals, vital communication gear, and supply donations. Our last and often greatest resource is the local communities where we deploy. They respond with open hearts and hands.

For this mission, I traded my keyboard for a front-row seat to the whirlwind of chaos, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. A more significant role in making a difference? Sign me up!

Dallas, Texas to Kissimmee, Florida

Our Executive Director, Alex, and I spent the night before departing racing around town collecting our team's essential supplies needed to run our distribution center. We were wheels up in the Aztec, loaded down with supplies and our carry-ons super early in the morning to start our 5-hour flight to Kissimmee, Florida.

We arrived at ground zero - our distribution center at Kissimmee Gateway Airport where our fearless leader stepped right into action. Connecting with the amazing staff at Kissimmee Gateway Airport showing them our setup plan, expectations for arrivals and departures, and how the community supply donation drive would work. It was a plan cevised by someone who's done this before and it was so cool to watch him in his element.

We grabbed the Uhaul and headed to Home Depot gathering dollies, pop-up tables, wood pallets, and more. We set up our warehouse stations, set out our OAD swag for volunteers, and communicated times with our pilot volunteers to prepare for the morning chaos. We grabbed a quick bite on the way to the hotel to finally fuel ourselves from the long day. By the time everyone got back to the hotel, we were exhausted! We had an amazing volunteer family who was essential in our efforts for Hurricane Ian and we are so thankful for their local insight, powerlifting muscles, and savvy shopping.

But the work didn't stop there. We logged on to our team meeting to update everyone on the status, review the plans for the next few days and report weather and flight conditions for tomorrow. One final email blast to our pilots and by 11:30 pm we were finally ready to head to bed so we could be up bright and early at 4 am.

The rollercoaster of disaster relief

Let me tell you, natural disaster relief is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded – no matter how meticulously we plan, there's always a twist waiting around the corner. The clock's ticking, and we're gearing up with whatever notice we can grab. But honestly, the true extent of the havoc is only revealed once the storm's drama fades away. Hurricane Ian threw us a slight curveball, changing its landing spot. We had to make a few adjustments before flying out to Florida and boy, did Kissimmee have a slightly different story to tell.

See, we thought we were all set, but the storm had other plans. It shifted its weight and came crashing down further east and hitting harder as it traveled almost across the entire state! But where it really threw our plans for a loop is we didn't fully grasp the impact on Kissimmee until we dove into conversations with the locals. Orlando might not have taken a big hit, but Kissimmee was down for the count. The folks there had shown up big time, gathering and donating supplies before the storm even hit. When we rolled in, they'd already emptied their cupboards and pockets, leaving us with a challenge.

Basically... our volunteer pilots' planes were hungry for supplies, and we needed to keep their bellies full. That didn't stop us. Our team wore their "get it done" attitude like a badge of honor. We went on several shopping sprees every day, hitting up Walmart and Costco like pros. We loaded truckloads of supplies, and let me tell you, it was a sight to see. As soon as the truck pulled up, teams hustled to unload, weigh, and load them onto the planes. We couldn't thank our helpers and volunteers enough for shifting in the chaos and pulling up their sleeves to help out.

You see, our veteran Executive team members and volunteers were used to a certain rhythm – the community swarming in with carloads of donations for a community donation drive. But this time, the beat changed. We found ourselves relying more than ever on our inbound flights, trusting them to bring in the supplies we desperately needed. It was a shift that tested our efficiency, a reminder that flexibility is key when Mother Nature calls the shots.

But hey, you know what they say – when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Our team didn't flinch. Instead, we picked up the phones, rallied our contacts, and let the local news outlets in on our mission. In a blink of an eye, news reporters were on the scene, capturing our efforts, and shining a spotlight on what we were doing. It was like a beacon of hope had been lit, and the community responded in kind. Within hours, we witnessed the magic happen. A neighboring community stepped up, flooding us with donations until we had a whole warehouse with supplies. It was a reminder that when we come together, amazing things unfold.

Celebration, Florida - an unexpected oasis

After a full day at the airport, our incredible airport family, newfound friends, and superstar volunteers decided it was time for us to recharge. They whisked us away to Celebration, Florida – a place they knew like the back of their hands, filled with hidden gems that only locals know. And let me tell you, it's a spot that has us coming back for more, time and time again.

Our rendezvous was set at Avocado Mexican Grill, and just saying the name makes my heart want to be back there. The vibe was laid-back and welcoming, capturing the essence of this cozy hometown area near Orlando, Florida. I can still taste those cheesy chicken enchiladas that seemed to melt in my mouth. It was a meal that left a lasting impression, just like the warmth of the company we shared it with. Celebration had us wrapped around its finger, and Avocado became a cherished part of our memories from that whirlwind trip.

After a satisfying dinner, we took a walk around the pond that centered the town. The night glowed from the gentle lights of the shops and street lamps, and in the distance, the Disney World fireworks added a touch of magic to the sky. As we walked, our conversation varied. We talked about what the place typically looks like when a hurricane hadn't recently swept through.

During our conversation, something unexpected happened – we heard the faint chirping of baby alligators. Believe it or not, these little critters sound more like kittens than the ferocious hiss you'd expect from gators. Curiosity got the better of us, and one of the kids claimed they spotted Mama Gator nearby. Of course, I couldn't resist getting a closer look and ran toward the water's edge. I couldn't help but think that Steve Irwin would've been proud of my adventurous spirit.

Being a part of a drop-off

The next morning, we were up early and back to the mission. As the news crew set up shop to capture our mission in action, Alex and I had a chance to ditch the headsets and hop aboard a plane to participate. I couldn't tell who was more excited to get behind the controls... me or Alex.

Yep, you heard that right – we were trading airwaves for airways! We were geared up for a flight, but this time, it wasn't just any flight. We were part of a crew delivering supplies to our partner spot, where our buddy Rob from the Cajun Navy was in serious need of a helping hand.

As if that wasn't cool enough, I was able to video the quick mission for the news crew! Due to legal restrictions from the station, they were unable to grant access for their reporter to tag along in the aircraft. Throughout the flight, I captured the experience from the front seat, sharing an insider's view of what it's like to be in the thick of a supply delivery mission. It was like seeing the mission unfold through a whole new lens.

Our Partners in Crime

As we patiently waited for the news to catch wind of our ongoing efforts, we were still working around the clock with our amazing partners - diving into a mission within a mission. With our trusted partners by our side, we rolled up our sleeves to provide much-needed hot meals and essential supplies to the communities that bore the brunt of the storm's impact.

First up, Operation BBQ Relief. Equipped with a fleet of cooks, mobile pits, kitchens, and a dedicated team of volunteers, Operation BBQ Relief steps up to the plate to provide the comforting essence of BBQ during times of crisis. Their mission extends to feeding both first responders and communities that bear the brunt of natural disasters. We have teamed up with this amazing group for countless missions before. This time around was no exception – they were on-site, firing up those grills and serving up not just sustenance, but also a warm embrace of comfort. Our efforts were in sync, working hand in hand to ensure that folks didn't just get meals, but a hearty serving of hope along with it.

The second partner coupled with this dynamic duo is the crew at Cajun Navy Ground Force –Ground Force Disaster Response trains professional citizens with vital skills to protect and stabilize elderly and disabled citizens living in natural disaster impact zones by embedding into impacted communities for extended periods of time. For this mission, they organized and ran two S.A.F.E. Camps, putting volunteers in place for an organized distribution of services and in-kind donations to those who needed it most immediately after the storm. We partnered with them, uniting our strengths to transport supplies to their distribution hub located at another airport in Southern Florida.

A Successful Mission

As quickly as we swopped in, we left Florida as we felt our efforts were impacting thousands of lives and our hearts full of purpose. As we packed up our plane for the journey back home, we couldn't help but take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind that had been just a few days. Stepping onto the ground for the first time during an Operation Airdrop mission was like a rush of emotions and experiences that I'll carry with me forever. The faces of volunteers and survivors painted a vivid picture of resilience and unity.

Can you believe it? With the combined efforts of more than 200 pilots and over 75 ground volunteers, our impact was nothing short of extraordinary. We served up a whopping 10,000 hot meals that warmed not just bellies, but souls too. The generosity poured in, totaling $15,000 worth of supplies through donations. And when it came to flight supply donations, we clocked in at a remarkable 10,000 pounds.

But one memory stands out in bittersweet as I reflect on this trip – that of the reporter Dylan Lyons. He was the reporter who was beyond eager to join us on the supply drop flight, a chance to witness our mission from above. However, station liabilities intervened, and he had to turn down the opportunity. It was a disappointment we all felt, but life moved on.

Learning in February that he had tragically lost his life while reporting on a homicide, felt like a punch to the gut. His infectious passion for his work, his enthusiasm to be a part of our mission, and his joyful presence during our time together – they were memories that resurfaced, laden with a sense of loss. I still wish we could have given him that flight to experience the skies and the impact of our efforts firsthand.

An unexpected haven

Time to rev up the Aztec and hit the skies! Flying along the Florida coastline, I couldn't help but spot those iconic vacation spots that hold so many family stories and memories. It was like a bird's-eye view of nostalgia.

Our journey had a pit stop in the playbook, and we touched down at a Navy Base in Meridian, Mississippi. This was super cool as I've always had a fascination with military aviation. From the thumping of a huey to the soar in your soul from an F22. With 3 generations of pilots in my family, I was so excited we stopped here and all the cool jets that were parked outsife. Walking around the airport felt like I had stepped right onto the set of Top Gun. Men and women in flight suits. F22s parked in a neat row - almost like they were setting the stage for our arrival.

We gassed up the plane and off we went to find some lunch! Alex knew where the charming downtown of Meridian was so we figured we could find something to eat there as we prolonged the rest of the flight home. And we found a hidden gem - Harvest Grill. Stepping inside was like entering a world of warmth and comfort, just like those feel-good moments in a college movie. The atmosphere was dialed up to cozy, and the vibes were so inviting you'd think Hallmark was filming a scene right there. The food was great and the people were even better. It was slow while we were there so we got to talk to the staff a bit about our recent efforts and why Texans were in their grill. The tables even shared the origin story with a featured table tent on the grill's founders. It was a perfect closing to our trip.

And there you have it, my friends – a whirlwind journey through the heart of a hurricane relief mission like no other. From the behind-the-scenes hustle to stepping into the frontline action, this experience has etched itself into my memory.

Until next time!