“We Not Me”- How Burris Logistics Came Together with its Companies and Customers to Provide Hurricane Melissa Relief

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica late October 2025, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Roads were impassable, bridges left in ruin, and communities were left without power and necessary items like food, clothing, and baby items.

In times of disaster like this, human connection can make all the difference. Companies, customers, content creators, and people with a deep love and connection to Jamaica had the right resources at the right time to help those who were left with only what they could salvage.

It’s what we’re calling Operation One Love: a Hurricane Melissa relief mission stitched together by Burris Logistics, Trinity Logistics, Honor Foods, and other local businesses and friends who just wanted to help.

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 Burris Logistics’ companies (and many others) jumped right on in.

A Passion to Help Home: The Catalyst to Helping Those Affected by Hurricane Melissa

Two Jamaican-born content creators, Jodiann Walker and Nastacia Cooks Brady, watched the damage from Hurricane Melissa from the U.S., and felt compelled to help bring relief to the people impacted back home.

The two used their platforms with a combined following of nearly one million to raise awareness of the devastation and to begin collecting items to help fill the need.  

“I just wanted people back home to feel seen and supported,” said Jodiann.

Before they knew it, donations of items like clothing, food, diapers, and toiletries started pouring in. Walker and Cooks Brady were quickly faced with how they could sort through 36 wardrobe-sized boxes and get the items delivered to Jamaica.

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 extra support to get all donations to where they desperately needed to be.

Partnering for Disaster Relief Logistics

While searching for support, a friend introduced Jodiann to Tim Dukes, Pastor and State of Delaware Representative of the 40^th District, who connected the content creators to Donnie Burris, President and CEO of Burris Logistics.

“We’re in. Tell us what you need,” Burris said.

Donnie connected Jodiann with Garrett Grier, Enterprise Sales Director – Agent Division, at Trinity Logistics, a third-party logistics provider (3PL) and a Burris Logistics company. Garrett, a real “get it done” team player, jumped quickly into action to help the two with the logistics of getting the relief items to Jamaica.

Even More Hurricane Melissa Relief Support

Local business owners of Medings Seafood, Rob & Melinda Meding, have a longstanding history, and love, of Jamaica.

Jamaica was the place of their honeymoon and vow renewal. Melinda previously spent time there doing missions work. Overall, they’ve traveled to Jamaica over 40 times and have friendships all across the island.

As a friend to the Meding family, Garrett knew Jamaica was near and dear to them, and reached out to see how they could help.

When they heard their second home was hurting, stepping up felt natural. They didn’t hesitate to donate toward 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.

Coordinating the Supply Chain for Relief Supplies

Burris and Trinity covered the remainder of 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 Logistics and Ocean Freight to Jamaica  – Managed by Rainforest Foundation & Honor Foods’ long-time customer, Global Foods

To get the goods to Jamaica affordably and reliably, Rainforest Foundation partnered with long-time Honor Foods customer, Global Foods, covering the international logistics costs and coordinating the shipment. Honor Foods is a Burris Logistics company that specializes in food redistribution. Through this relationship, they were able to secure space for the donated items on a consistent container shipment that travels from Miami to Montego Bay.

Shipment Timeline

• December 5th – Container Departed From Miami
• December 10th – Container Arrived in Montego Bay
• December 16-24th – Distribution began up until X-mas to make it in time for the holiday

Jodiann 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 using their platforms 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 our business.

As recovery continues in Jamaica, this collective 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 around:

• 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: