When Hurricane Melissa tore across Jamaica in late October 2025, communities were left facing washed-out roads, destroyed bridges, damaged homes, and days without power.
Families stood in the aftermath with little more than what they could salvage.
But sometimes, all it takes is one act of kindness to spark a chain reaction of goodwill.
This is a story about everyday people, community, and what becomes possible when we all unite behind a shared purpose.
It’s what we’re calling Operation One Love: a Hurricane Melissa relief mission stitched together by individuals, families, nonprofits, content creators, businesses, and the combined efforts of Burris Logistics, Honor Foods, and Trinity Logistics.
Now, it wasn’t expected, nor was it originally planned.
But sometimes the best kind of opportunities just fall into one’s lap, and it’s your decision whether to take it on. You’ll find out why the Burris family of brands (and many others) jumped right on in.
How It All Began: The Spark to Helping Those Affected by Hurricane Melissa
Watching the devastation Hurricane Melissa unfolded onto Jamaica from here in the U.S., especially to those Jamaicans who once called the island home, was heartbreaking.
Thus, two Jamaican-born content creators, Jodiann Walker and Nastacia Crooks Brady, were compelled to help in some way. They decided to use their online platforms to raise awareness and launch donation drives.
“I just wanted people back home to feel seen and supported,” said Jodiann.
With nearly one million followers combined, their posts struck a chord. It seems many others wanted the same.
Donations of items like clothes, food, diapers, and toiletries came pouring in from all over. Before long, they found themselves sorting through 36 wardrobe-sized boxes stacked nearly to the ceiling. While absolutely floored by the generosity of their followers, there quickly became a dilemma.
Shipping hundreds of pounds of donated goods to Jamaica is expensive, especially for just two individuals trying to help their home island. They needed some sort of help to get all donations to where they desperately needed to be.
The Chain Reaction of Kindness
Like dominoes falling into place, a friend connected Jodiann to local Tim Dukes, Pastor and Delaware State Representative of the 40th District. He immediately got Jodiann and Nastacia in touch with Donnie Burris, President of Burris Logistics.
Donnie’s response was simple and decisive: “We’re in. Tell us what you need.”
From there, the mission rapidly grew.
Donnie connected Jodiann with Garrett Grier, Enterprise Sales Director – Agent Division, at Trinity Logistics, a third-party logistics provider (3PL) and one of the Burris family brands.
Even More Hurricane Melissa Relief Support
Local business owners of Medings Seafood, Rob & Melinda Meding, have a longstanding history with Jamaica.
Jamaica was the place of their honeymoon and vow renewal. Overall, they’ve traveled to Jamaica over 40 times and have friendships all across the island.
As a friend to the Medings, Garrett knew how Jamaica held of piece of their hearts and so reached out to them about this relief effort.
When they heard their second home was hurting, stepping up felt natural. They didn’t hesitate to offer a monetary donation to help cover shipping costs.
“Jamaica is like a second home to us. The friendships we’ve made there run deep, so when Hurricane Melissa hit and this opportunity came up, it wasn’t even a question. We had to help,” shared the Medings.
The Logistics Lift
Burris and Trinity covered the domestic logistics costs as part of their donation, with Trinity coordinating the transportation.
The Domestic Leg – Powered by Trinity Logistics
Because of the weight and size of the boxes, the team needed two trucks to get the donations from Delaware to Florida, where it would then travel on a container internationally.
Dylan Banning, VP of the Delaware Regional Service Center (RSC) worked with his Team to gather all the pick-up details, secure capacity, and map the freight’s route from New Jersey to North Carolina, and finally delivering in Florida.
International Leg – Managed by Rainforest Foundation & Honor Foods
To get the goods to Jamaica affordably and reliably, Rainforest Foundation partnered with Global Foods, a long-time customer of Sunny Morning, an Honor Foods company and Burris family brand that specializes in food redistribution, covering the international logistics costs and coordinating. The two were able to secure space for the donated items on a consistent container shipment that travels from Miami to Montego Bay.
Shipment Timeline
- Dec 5: Container departed Miami
- Dec 10: Arrived in Montego Bay
- Dec 16-24: Distribution began
Jodiann and Nastacia flew to Jamaica to personally help deliver the packages to affected communities.
“Seeing those boxes finally reach the island, it meant everything – not just to me, but especially for those affected,” shared Jodiann.
The Group’s Relief Impact to Communities Hit by Hurricane Melissa
Thanks to the collective effort, the Team delivered roughly 1,000 care packages focused on helping children, elderly, and the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
“It was incredible to see how many people came together. Not just individuals, but companies, nonprofits, even local community,” shared Garrett.
Stronger Together
This relief mission wasn’t about just about moving freight.
It was a real example of our shared Burris purpose: Improving lives and supply chains by solving tough problems.
What started out as two individuals just trying to help their home island turned into a collaborative effort powered by compassion. And because of that collective effort, families in Jamaica received critical supplies quicker than any one person or group could have managed alone.
That’s truly what’s behind the heart of Trinity’s People-Centric service.
We’re not just solving problems but showing up when people need it most.
While Hurricane Melissa brought destruction, our response brought connection and reminded us of what’s possible when we all unite and lead with purpose.
As recovery continues in Jamaica, this effort stands as a testament to what we can truly accomplish when we all work together.
What’s Next?
The group plans to continue supporting in whatever ways we can. There are already conversations potentially planning:
- Additional shipments
- School supply drives
- Rebuilding materials
- Ongoing community partnerships
If you’d like updates about any of our future relief efforts, go follow any of the Burris brands on social media:
Follow Burris Logistics Follow Trinity Logistics Follow Honor FoodsOne of the unique aspects of Trinity Logistics is our value of servant leadership. We believe it’s not just about what you accomplish, but who you lift up, who you make better, and how you give back. Trinity Logistics has always been heavily involved in our local communities throughout the years, so one year, we decided to streamline our efforts. In 2005, we formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization named the Trinity Foundation.
HOW THIS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IS UNIQUE
The Trinity Foundation is somewhat unique, as it’s entirely operated by Trinity Team Members. Trinity’s Team Members are passionate about serving others, and the Trinity Foundation strives to benefit causes they believe in. All community service and charitable giving from Trinity Logistics funnel through our non-profit organization, the Trinity Foundation.
While all Team Members have the opportunity to serve their time or make monetary donations to the Trinity Foundation, there is a subset group, or Board of Team Members, who organize the Trinity Foundation’s fundraising events and giving, which are fueled by the desire to better our local communities. These Team Members apply for a position and are voted in to serve two-year terms on the Trinity Foundation Board and Sub-Board.
THE TRINITY FOUNDATION’S CORE FOCUS AREAS
Every organization has a powerful purpose, and our purpose is reflected through our three core focus areas that guide our efforts to continually improve the lives of others by serving and investing in our communities. Those core focus areas are;
Health and Wellness
This focus area is to encourage and aid in good health and wellness among our community members. This can involve efforts such as holding our annual 5K promoting movement and heart health or holding blood drives to support our medical community.
Youth Leadership Development
Youth leadership development supports aiding in the growth of leadership and building a future of strong community members by helping our youth and promoting continued education. This can include efforts such as building relationships with local schools and assisting in their needs, sponsoring camps, offering scholarships, or hosting leadership conferences.
Community Necessities
Community necessities is a focus area in which we invest and donate to those in need. We aim to improve and strengthen our local communities through efforts such as monetary donations or sponsorships made to support local organizations, providing a monthly meal or much-needed goods to shelters, and providing gifts and necessities to families in need during the holiday season.
OUR MAIN EFFORTS AND FUNDRAISERS
While we host many different events and fundraisers to support our core focus areas, we have several large efforts that we take part in annually.
Thanksgiving For All
Every November, we partner with the Food Bank of Delaware and Love Inc of Mid-Delmarva to provide Thanksgiving meals to our local community members in need.
We purchase boxes of non-perishable Thanksgiving-themed items from the Food Bank, Perdue donates roasting chickens, and our Team Members help pack the boxes and distribute them.
On average, we help 300 families a year.
Christmas Families
Each year around the holidays, and with the help of Love Inc of Mid-Delmarva, we adopt families for our Team Members to shop for gifts for them. The adoptees are kept anonymous, and Team Members buy presents based on the wants and needs of family members.
In 2021, we adopted 23 families, and every child received a coat, a pair of shoes, outfits, and four to five toys.
Heart and Sole 5K
This fundraising event started back in 2010 by a small gathering of runners to raise money for a worthwhile cause. In the early years, funds were raised for Tidalhealth’s cardiac rehabilitation efforts. In the past few years, we were presented with opportunities to help raise funds for family members of Trinity Logistics Team Members battling cancer.
Big Pink Volleyball
Big Pink Volleyball is an annual fundraising event that we began in 2014 to raise funds for breast cancer charities. Trinity Team Members and any local participants can sign up to compete in a volleyball tournament as teams. But wait, there’s a fun catch! THE BIG PINK BALL. It’s a fun day for all.
Golf Tournament
This fundraising event started in 2005 and has remained our largest fundraising event each year since. Trinity Team Members and any local participants can sign up to compete in a golf tournament locally held at Heritage Shores in Bridgeville, Delaware.
In 2021, we were able to raise $30,000 with funds going towards our efforts to continue our mission of improving lives by serving and investing in our communities.
Servant Leader Scholarships
One way we support our core focus area of Youth Leadership is through our annual Servant Leader Scholarships for graduating high school seniors. This scholarship aims to give young people – the leaders who will build and shape our communities while displaying Servant Leadership – every opportunity to be prepared for the future. This scholarship is one way we strive to engage youth in their communities to continuously improve their self-esteem, develop a sense of citizenship and an ethic of service, and become stronger leaders of our future. Recipients are chosen by a committee of Trinity Foundation members and are granted one scholarship to go towards their post-secondary school tuition.
Other Efforts
All of Trinity’s Regional Service Centers are encouraged to take part in this non-profit organization and suggest or offer other community efforts that support our core focus areas. In addition to our main initiatives, we also accept donation requests and because of this, there is so much more that we do beyond these annual events. For example, the Trinity Foundation has helped local schools with supplies, packed and donated bags of essential supplies for the homeless, volunteered at homeless shelters, made and donated peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to local shelters, sent boxes of goodies to soldiers, and more.
Operation: Trinity cares is where the Trinity Foundation collects and sends boxes of goodies to those serving overseas during the holidays.
The Trinity Foundation hosting a blood drive.
The Trinity Foundation participating in Wreaths Across America.
The Trinity Foundation bought and collected donations of school supplies to fill backpacks to support our local schools. 0
To stay on top of what the Trinity Foundation has been up to lately, or to get involved, visit our Facebook page.
WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
We place emphasis on the fact that our non-profit organization belongs to the entire company and is comprised of each and every Trinity Logistics Team Member. However, it doesn’t stop with our Team because we couldn’t do everything we do without our community supporters!
Each event and fundraiser’s purpose is to make a positive impact on our communities and help our friends and families locally. Many of our neighbors and corporate partners look forward to these opportunities to give back, and we have plenty of those available!
Ways to Support Trinity’s Non-profit Organization, the Trinity Foundation
MADE A DONATION SHOP VIA AMAZONSMILESupport us while you shop! Select the Trinity Foundation (located in Seaford, DE) as your AmazonSmile charity!
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOKStay up to date on what the Trinity Foundation is currently working on and how you can get involved, whether that includes donating much needed items, signing up to participate, or becoming an event sponsor!
On August 29th, The Trinity Foundation held its 10th Annual Heart and Sole 5K. Money raised from this event goes back to the local community through the Tidal Health’s Cardiology Unit. This year’s event raised over $10,000 to support this area of focus for the Trinity Foundation.
Even in the midst of Covid-19, the event was able to be held live and in-person with sanitation and social distancing measures. Though the date had to be pushed back from the original event date in April, 79 runners/walkers were able to participate. This year’s 5K race winners can be found here.
This annual event was made successful by our sponsors and our participants. Thank you to Trinity Logistics, Burris Logistics, Dianne’s Travel, Banyan Technologies, Internet Truckstop, Quantum Edge, Sussex County Council, X-Squad, Legacy Vesting LLC, and Tidal Health, who helped the Trinity Foundation make this event happen.
The Trinity Foundation would like to say thank you to all who sponsored and attended the race. Events are a huge part of how we raise funds to support our communities. We are grateful to have been able to keep this one in action as many other events had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. We are hopeful that many of our in-person events will be brought back in 2021 and look forward to seeing everyone then. Until then, be sure to keep a look out for some new virtual events the Trinity Foundation will be holding. This pandemic will not hold us back from continuing to strengthen our communities, nor having some fun while doing so!
If you would like learn more about the Trinity Foundation, see upcoming events, or make a donation online,
click hereAuthor: Christine Griffith
The Trinity Foundation continues to support the local community by presenting Lisa Coldiron, Head of School for Sussex Montessori School, a $50,000 contribution that will benefit capital efforts to open in Seaford, Delaware.
“One of Trinity Foundation’s core focus areas is Youth Leadership Development. We are excited to partner with the new Sussex Montessori School that is coming to Seaford and help develop the next generation of leaders,” said Chris Parker, Trinity Foundation Director.
The Montessori Method, based on the scientific research of Dr. Maria Montessori in Rome at the turn of the 20th Century, is rooted in the belief that children are innate learners, driven by curiosity, and thrive in physical and social settings prepared specifically for them.
The Montessori Curriculum is based on the social and academic equally. Both are rigorous, individualized, and highly structured.
As a result of this focus on each child’s individuality and development, Montessori children are confident, intrinsically motivated, responsible, creative, cooperative, and respectful. They emerge more than ready for whatever is next in their lives: college, the workforce, or community service.
The Trinity Foundation is proud to support the school and its direct benefit to the Sussex County community and looks forward to future opportunities to volunteer.
The Trinity Foundation partnered with the Salvation Army to provide meals for Seaford, Del. area children that are out of school during shutdowns associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Foundation was able to provide $3000 towards purchasing meals to feed 800 children daily in the Seaford and Woodbridge school districts. Foundation volunteers spent evenings at the Salvation Army’s location in Seaford, Del. packing the meals for distribution.
For many children in our community, school is the only place they are able to get breakfast and lunch. The school food trucks are now set up and running. The Salvation Army will service additional locations in the Seaford and Woodbridge school district throughout school closures.
The holiday season is all about giving, not only to loved ones, but to our community and those less fortunate. At Trinity, we do just that through the Trinity Foundation, a 501 C3, non-profit organization made up of our Team Members. The Trinity Foundation works to improve people’s lives by serving and investing in our community to promote wellness, inspire giving, and influence future leaders. Coming up on the end of 2019, we wanted to share what the Trinity Foundation has done this year to give back.
Money Donated
Through events like Big Pink Volleyball, Trinity Golf Tournament, Heart & Sole 5k we were able to raise and donate:
$16,926.50 to Health & Wellness
$6,750.00 to Youth Leadership Development
$20,231.59 to Local Necessities
That is a total amount of $43,908.09 raised and donated in 2019.
Thanksgiving For All
In November, we take part in Thanksgiving For All, packing and delivering boxes of Thanksgiving meals for needy families. This year, team members packed and delivered 500 boxes of Thanksgiving dinners that included a turkey roaster and sides! That is double the amount from last year.
Individual families and organizations picked up a total of 454 boxes.
The local organizations we served this year were:
- Six men’s sober living houses
- The Cross building
- Seaford Presbyterian Church and the Banning Food Closet
- Community Resource Center
- Associated Charities
- Connections
- Blades Town Hall who will deliver to shut ins
We sent the remaining 46 boxes to Delmarva Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge is a network of Christian faith-based corporations intended to help teenagers, adults, and families with problems such as substance abuse or self-destructive behavior. They immediately turned the boxes around during their Saturday Community Food Pick Up.
Christmas Families
In December, a Christmas Families tree is set up in the office. This tree has paper ornaments listing the wants or needs of “adopted” families. Those that could use a little help making their children’s Christmas merry and bright. Team Members select an ornament to buy a gift for a local child. Once we have all the gifts bought, we wrap the presents and deliver them to the families. This year we were able to send some holiday cheer to 54 children.
Volunteer Hours
Finally, the Trinity Foundation would be nothing without our volunteers. Team members give what may be considered most precious to all, their time. Our total volunteer hours currently stand at 5104.95 hours amongst all seven of our office locations.
It’s one thing to work for a company that does well in business and grows. It’s an even bigger takeaway to work for a company that gives back to people and the community. Trinity Logistics is a company with a culture of improving people’s lives. Regardless of whether you’re a customer, a Team Member, or someone in the community.
With the end of the year comes a time for reflection. We take stock of where we came from and have a moment to think about where we are going, as we pursue the future with hope. May your new year be all that you hope for, and may it include love and friendship. From our family to yours, we wish you a joyous holiday season!
AUTHOR: Christine Griffith
Trinity Logistics was built on the belief that we should enrich the lives of those we serve. While this includes Team Members, Agents, shippers, and carriers, it extends far beyond the walls of Trinity, from local community organizations to those overseas serving our country.
Trinity is honored to make an impact on those people serving to protect our country. Each year, we provide care packages for men and women in the armed forces who are deployed during the holidays. Trinity Team Members donate needed items and pack them in care boxes. These boxes include everything from snacks, socks, hygiene products, other necessities and treats. Each box includes a handwritten note of appreciation. This year, approximately 50 boxes will be sent overseas. Jen Hoffman, the Program Coordinator, shared her statement about this year’s effort.
“This was an exciting year for Operation: Trinity Cares. The Trinity Logistics team joined with Burris Logistics in item donations. We are even sending a care package to a current Burris Team Member who is deployed! This project is incredibly special to our team. We hope that the care packages are received with as much love as we put into them year after year.”
In addition to supporting those serving overseas, on this day Trinity takes the time to honor our Team Members who have served in the United States Military. Each year, we take the time to recognize our Team Members with a special gift. We are honored to have amazing people like these men and women on our team. Trinity’s culture is built upon servant leadership and who would know that better than a Veteran?
“At Trinity, we believe that Veterans often make some of the top performing Team Members,” said Megan Morgan, Vice President of Team Operations. “Their experience in high pressure situations and service to something greater than themselves has a direct correlation to our culture of servant leadership.”
As Trinity Logistics continues to grow, we pride ourselves on our dynamic culture and inclusivity. Through continuous company wide diversity training or hiring veterans, we look for one thing in our Team Members: people who are looking to enrich the lives of others. To learn about how Trinity is Different on Purpose, visit our careers page.
AUTHOR: Christine Griffith
On September 29, The Trinity Foundation held its 13th annual charity golf tournament that serves as one of its biggest fundraisers each year. Money raised from this event goes back to community organizations and events that focus on local necessities, youth leadership development, and health and wellness in Sussex and Kent County, Delaware, and Dorchester and Caroline County, Maryland. This year’s event raised over $12,000 to support the Trinity Foundation’s areas of focus.
This year 24 teams participated in the 4-person scramble held at Heritage Shores’ Golf Course in Bridgeville, Del.
This successful event was made possible by more than 30 sponsors, including Breakfast Sponsorships from Regional Builders, Nanticoke Health Services, and Banyan Technology; Gold Sponsorships from Internet Truckstop and Quantum Edge; and the eager golfers that participated.
“Thank you to all of our Team members, sponsors, and players who helped us to make our 2018 Golf Tournament a success,” said Amanda Lloyd, Trinity Foundation Director. “This event is our largest fundraiser that supports us to be able to maintain a strong presence in our community. It is at the core of our culture and a passion for our team to serve this community.”
This event serves as the Trinity Foundation’s biggest fundraiser that helps to make other efforts possible throughout the year. These efforts include servant leader scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors, Thanksgiving for All that provides meals to local families, a community Touch-A-Truck event, donations to Ronald McDonald House, and distributing toys alongside the Marine Corps for Toys for Tots.
The Trinity Foundation members would like to say a big thank you to all the sponsors and participants of this year’s golf tournament. We look forward to seeing you for next year’s event on September 28, 2019, at Heritage Shores Golf Course.
If you are interested in being a sponsor for next year’s golf tournament, please email [email protected].
The week of January 15, the Trinity Foundation continued to support the local community by presenting Susan Kent, Director of Love Inc., with a contribution that will benefit the non-profit’s newest project, the C.R.O.S.S. building (Community Resource & Occupational Service Station). The C.R.O.S.S. building, located in Seaford, will house Code Purple Sussex County’s supportive services.
This past holiday season, the Trinity Foundation partnered with Love Inc. of Mid-Delmarva to help provide food to families through “Thanksgiving for All” and spread holiday cheer by donating gifts for “Christmas Families” in the Sussex County area.
“We’ve been proud to partner with Love Inc. on various other opportunities throughout the year, so when they came to us with the need for additional funds to get Code Purple up and running we jumped at the opportunity to make it happen,” said Amanda Lloyd, Trinity Foundation Director.
Code Purple Sussex County’s mission is to offer food and sanctuary to those with no shelter during the cold weather months. The C.R.O.S.S. location will provide services for vulnerable individuals who need a place to shower, clean their clothes, eat a warm meal, and prepare for their case plan. The Trinity Foundation’s $3,500 donation to Code Purple will assist with heating and electrical costs and kitchen equipment that would allow the program to offer soups and sandwiches to the homeless individuals that come in.
“Code Purple Sussex County – Empowered by Love Inc. was surprised and delighted to receive funds to purchase new appliances for the C.R.O.S.S. building where the homeless come for community dinner and connection to the Code Purple Sanctuaries that are open each night,” said Susan Kent, Director of Love Inc. “We are so thankful for this generous donation so we can purchase new appliances! How honoring it is to the volunteer team who works tirelessly to help our neighbors. All of Code Purple Team is very thankful for the support Trinity Foundation has provided to this vital ministry! It simply cannot be done without community support!”
On Saturday, Nov. 18, 324 boxes of complete Thanksgiving meals were handed out to families in need at Trinity Logistics’ headquarters in Seaford, Del. as part of the annual “Thanksgiving for All” event.
Thanks to donations of roasters from Perdue Farms and Thanksgiving side items and dessert from The Food Bank of Delaware, members of the Trinity Foundation packed 5,832 items for 324 local families to enjoy a meal over the holidays.
“The Food Bank of Delaware is proud to partner with Trinity Logistics for our ‘Thanksgiving for All’ program. It is always encouraging to see the commitment of the Trinity family in creating these meal boxes to go out to hungry Delawareans. They recognize their important mission of giving back to the communities in which they are located.,” said Chad Robinson, Workforce Development Director for the Food Bank of Delaware. “We look forward to a continued partnership with Trinity Logistics, as we work to achieve our mission of a community free of hunger.”
“Thanksgiving for All” has continued to grow in the last few years. In 2014 and 2015, 250 boxed meals were handed out to members of the community. In 2016, that number grew to 315, and in 2017 hit 324.
“We’re pleased to join Trinity Logistics and the Food Bank of Delaware again this Thanksgiving to help provide a holiday meal for families throughout Sussex County,” said Kim Nechay, Executive Director of The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms. “At Perdue, we believe that in a country as rich in resource as ours, no one should have to go hungry.”
This is the fifth year “Thanksgiving for All” has assisted families in need through Love Inc of Mid-Delmarva based in Seaford, Del. Members of the community organization said this event is such a vital mission during the season of giving, providing a Thanksgiving meal to those in the community that would not have been able to without this donation.
“All year long, we are often not able to meet every request coming into our clearinghouse call line that links our neighbor’s needs to the community that cares. So, when it is time for Thanksgiving, we have an extra pump in our step to come and work at Love INC as we are able to say yes! Yes, we can direct you to help with your need,” said Susan Kent of Love INC. “We thank Team Trinity for their hard work on this awesome project and thank all who made it possible. All the folks who are receiving are so appreciative, many in tears.”
This year’s event was especially memorable for volunteers handing out the meals, as they had the opportunity to hand-deliver a Thanksgiving box to a woman in need who was unable to pick it up on her own.
The Trinity Foundation is proud to partner with so many local organizations for “Thanksgiving for All” and is thankful for another successful year for the event.