Carhartt, America’s premium workwear brand since 1889, today announced a partnership with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led global disaster response organization. Helping victims of disaster get back to work is a key component of Carhartt’s community affairs initiative, and through this partnership, the workwear company will help support Team Rubicon’s effort to provide the greatest service possible to areas impacted by severe weather or disasters.
Carhartt will provide Team Rubicon with 15,000 Carhartt Force® Delmont T-shirts and an initial $200,000 donation to aid in reconstruction efforts in Houston neighborhoods recovering from Hurricane Harvey.
Team Rubicon is the nation’s only disaster response organization whose volunteers are primarily comprised of U.S. military service veterans. Team Rubicon volunteers, or Greyshirts, use their unique skills and experiences gained from serving in the military to assist those most affected in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.
“Team Rubicon is in a unique position to provide both first-class disaster response services, as well as offer job force training and a renewed sense of purpose for America’s military veterans,” said Tony Ambroza, chief brand officer at Carhartt. “This partnership will ensure that Team Rubicon’s hardworking volunteers can continue to rebuild communities while equipped with durable Carhartt products to serve and protect those who have been directly impacted by a natural disaster.”
Formed in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Team Rubicon was founded by a small group of veterans searching for an opportunity to give back through continued service. The organization now boasts an 80,000 strong, highly-skilled volunteer workforce. Since its inception, Team Rubicon has responded to over 250 disasters domestically and internationally, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
“I’d like to thank Carhartt for their contribution to our mission of preventing or alleviating human suffering in the wake of natural disasters,” said Jake Wood, co-founder and CEO of Team Rubicon. “Carhartt is known for producing durable and reliable products. In our line of business, our teams are going to some rugged places to do some pretty hard work. So, it’s important that we have gear that’s as rugged as we are, which is why we are excited about this partnership with Carhartt. We’re looking forward to seeing the new grey Team Rubicon t-shirts in action.”
Through its partnership with Team Rubicon, Carhartt remains committed to both providing military veterans with avenues into the workforce as well as helping to restore the lives of hardworking people affected by disasters.