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Team Rubicon Responds to Morocco Earthquake
Humanitarian aid volunteers have teamed up with a local nongovernmental organization to serve rural communities after the 6.8 magnitude temblor
Remote Volunteer Opportunities Let Disaster Responders Serve From Home
Work conflicts to physical constraints, not every Greyshirt can get into the field on every operation. Here are eight ways virtual volunteers can make a big impact with zero travel.
Team Rubicon Assessing Needs in Morocco Following 6.8 Magnitude Earthquake
Humanitarian aid volunteers readying for aid response and possible deployment of EMT Type–1 Mobile Team.
FEMA and Team Rubicon Ink Partnership for Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
Disaster survivors to benefit from everything from shared intel to expedited recovery assistance.
Disaster Responders Deploy to Georgia in Response to Hurricane Idalia
Florida may have taken the eyewall, but the Peach State took extensive damage in the first Gulf Coast hurricane of 2023.
In Wake of Hurricane Idalia, Disaster Response Volunteers Push Into Florida
Sawyers and heavy equipment operators open up roadways, Greyshirts identify communities hit hardest by Idalia, and Team Rubicon launches an operation.
Reflections
A Quest to Find the Meaning of Servant Leadership
A Greyshirt reflects on self discoveries made during a deployment to the Navajo Nation in 2023.
Serving the Makers and Builders in Detroit
A team of Greyshirts and Ford employees came to help homeowners clean up from years-old flooding, only to discover they would be the ones to benefit most.
Gratitude, Pride, and a Newfound Love of Sawdust
On their first deployment, a newly-minted EMT and Greyshirt discovers unexpected allies and surprising talents.
Fire in the Belly and an Epic Flood
A Greyshirt reflects on getting the chance to help a group of neighbors intent on helping themselves.
Mucking Hope in Flooded Detroit
A Greyshirt reflects on helping return a home to habitable for a homeowner in Motown, and what volunteers uncovered along the way.
One Small Favor
Greyshirts apply a little ingenuity to answer a Hurricane Ian survivor’s tiny wish.
A Vietnam Veteran Reflects On Service, Then and Now
Team Rubicon Greyshirt John Ruehle reveals why he joined the Marines, being injured in battle, and how and why he serves his country in 2020.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves Matter
Applying for the Clay Hunt Fellowship Program (CHFP) was something I felt that I needed to do. As a black woman and a U.S. Marine, I am always conscious of the systemic racism my fellow Americans and I have experienced, even after fighting for and serving our country. But, I also needed help transitioning from … Read More
Care during COVID-19: A Physician’s Greyshirt Experience
It was late in the evening after another busy shift in the emergency department. I grabbed my bag, a now-cold cup of coffee, and headed towards my car. I was physically and emotionally drained, but as I flipped through news articles, all centered on the COVID crisis, I wished I could do more. The week … Read More
Finding Father Figures in Grey—and Man Glitter
On her first operation as a sawyer, one Greyshirt planned to sit back, be a spotter, and let the guys make the chips fly. Two Greyshirts ruined that plan. Lucy Loftus reflects on finding father figures in Team Rubicon.
After Losing My Father, a Greyshirt Steps In
When I saw a job posting in July of 2019 for a major gifts officer based out of Atlanta, GA for an unnamed nonprofit that “serves communities by mobilizing veterans to continue their service, leveraging their skills and experience to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises,” I was very intrigued. … Read More
LG Gets Plugged In on Houston Rebuild
Laura Barbieri of LG Electronics recently volunteered with a group of fellow LGE employees at the Houston Rebuild and she had a lot to share about her first experience with Team Rubicon. If you know anything about the Lone Star State, you know the phrase “Don’t Mess With Texas.” This famous epithet definitely rings true for Team … Read More
History & Culture
From Kentucky to Ukraine, Veterans Spend 2022 in Service
For Veterans Day, a look at some places veterans have been applying their experiences in the military to disaster relief and humanitarian aid this year.
During Disaster Relief, Change Your Socks
What does “change your socks” mean? Greyshirt and veteran Pat Ross reveals what’s behind the Team Rubicon adage, and how a military term took on new meaning.
What Memorial Day Means to Me
U.S. Navy Veteran, Greyshirt, and Team Rubicon CEO Greyshirt Art delaCruz reflects on celebration, mourning, and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
A “Swiss Army Knife in the Field” Named Volunteer Leader of Year
A disaster response volunteer who served everywhere from the Navajo Nation to Haiti took home Team Rubicon’s 2022 Leader of the Year award.
Disaster Responders Earn Leadership Awards
Volunteers known for GSD were recognized at Team Rubicon’s annual leadership conference.
The Birth of Team Rubicon’s Grey Shirt
Team Rubicon’s co-founder reveals the inspiration and meaning behind Team Rubicon’s modest grey uniform.
Stories of Service
Gratitude, Pride, and a Newfound Love of Sawdust
On their first deployment, a newly-minted EMT and Greyshirt discovers unexpected allies and surprising talents.
The Special Effects of Veterans Serving Veterans
For disaster survivors who are veterans, help that comes from a fellow veteran can be easier to accept. For the volunteers, it can be extra special to give.
Above and Beyond: Veteran Volunteers Go From Sawyers to First Responders
While doing disaster relief in Texas, a Greyshirt saw team takes on a tarping job and ends up saving a life.
Soot, Sawing, and the Chance to Serve One Who Served
For National Volunteer Week, three volunteers reflect on time spent helping a Midwest community recover from a rare and deadly wildfire.
The Birth of Team Rubicon’s Grey Shirt
Team Rubicon’s co-founder reveals the inspiration and meaning behind Team Rubicon’s modest grey uniform.
A Midwest Deployment, and an Extreme Double Date
Two married couples and one engaged couple serve on the same Team Rubicon strike team together during Operation Heartlander, in Nebraska.
COVID-19
Volunteer Returns to Home and Service at the Navajo Nation
A member of the Big Water Clan finds community and the chance to serve within the four sacred mountains.
To End Vaccine Hesitancy, Rely on America’s Most Reliable
In America, veterans hold the key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccination Volunteer Gets Needled by a Friend
While helping stand up a mass vaccination clinic in Portland, one Greyshirt gets vaccinated by another.
Here Come the Reinforcements
Vaccinated and free to serve again, formerly at-risk disaster relief volunteers get back to heavy lifting.
Mid-Deployment, Responding to a Different Type of Disaster
When two Team Rubicon volunteers assisting with Hurricane Sally relief stop to assist a motorist in need, a life is saved.
What to Expect When Volunteering at a Vaccination Clinic
Ever wonder what really happens at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic? Team Rubicon volunteers tell all and explain what to expect when volunteering.
Partner News
New Heavy Equipment Operator Training to Put More Volunteers into Disaster Zones
A program between Case dealers and Team Rubicon is creating more HEOs ready to respond to emergencies in more states around the U.S.
Small Gifts, Big Impact
When it comes to disaster relief, everyday philanthropy—like rounding up purchases at checkout—is having great effect.
Team Rubicon Expands Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations Globally
Veteran-led humanitarian organization increases international medical support and disaster response efforts.
Beyond the Veterans Day Discounts, Corporations Find Ways to Engage Veterans
From talent software that translates military experience to paid time off for volunteer service, these five companies offer unique programs for veterans.
Corporate Volunteers Heed the Call of Disaster Relief
From rebuilding hurricane-damaged homes to building resilient cities, how individuals and groups can use service to improve communities and corporate social responsibility.
Vaccines, Veterans, and the Chance to Serve Again
Six veteran organizations on how, and why, they united to help vaccinate America.
From the Field
A Quest to Find the Meaning of Servant Leadership
A Greyshirt reflects on self discoveries made during a deployment to the Navajo Nation in 2023.
Serving the Makers and Builders in Detroit
A team of Greyshirts and Ford employees came to help homeowners clean up from years-old flooding, only to discover they would be the ones to benefit most.
Fire in the Belly and an Epic Flood
A Greyshirt reflects on getting the chance to help a group of neighbors intent on helping themselves.
Mucking Hope in Flooded Detroit
A Greyshirt reflects on helping return a home to habitable for a homeowner in Motown, and what volunteers uncovered along the way.
One Small Favor
Greyshirts apply a little ingenuity to answer a Hurricane Ian survivor’s tiny wish.
In Storm-Ravaged Malawi, a Dose of Hope
A nurse battling malaria, cholera, and chronic health concerns in southern Africa after Cyclone Freddy gets a taste of her own medicine.
CHFP
Clay Hunt Fellows Program Announces Base Camps 12 and 13
Sixteen veterans chosing for latest cohort of the Clay Hunt Fellows Program, forming the last two base camps of CHFP’s 10-year anniversary.
Clay Hunt Fellows Program Announces Base Camp 11
Meet the 12 veterans joining CHFP in spring of 2023.
Clay Hunt Fellows Program Announces Base Camp 10
Meet the 12 veterans joining Team Rubicon’s Clay Hunt Fellows Program second cohort of 2022
Fellowship Leads Veteran Out of the Desert and Onto the Mountain Top
A U.S. Marine reflects on how the Clay Hunt Fellows Program changed—and maybe even saved—his life.
Meet the First Cadre of 2022 Clay Hunt Fellows
Team Rubicon inducts 12 U.S. military veterans into Base Camp 9
The Journey has Begun for Fellows of the CHFP Base Camp 8
Fellows of the Base Camp 8 cohort of Team Rubicon’s fellowship program for military veterans are stepping off on a professional development and self discovery journey. Meet the veteran fellows.
In the Grey
Snowbirds Volunteer on Hurricane Ian Response
After getting to know the Florida Gulf Coast and the people affected by a 2018 hurricane, a Greyshirt couple decides to step into the arena when Ian strikes in 2022.
One Soul at a Time
During a community service project, Greyshirts help uncover the Black history of a Pennsylvania town.
Emergency Preparedness a Must, Even for Disaster Pros
Because disasters aren’t taking a holiday, even Greyshirts and first responders need emergency plans. And disaster kits.
Father’s Day in the Grey
Meet some of this year’s dads and kids spending their time doing disaster relief.
From Volunteering for Wildfire Cleanup to Until Death Do Us Part
A lucky second chance, a discovery of shared core values, and one incident commander in a kilt unites a pair of Greyshirts.
Their Meet Cute? A Flood
For two Team Rubicon volunteers, stepping into the arena turns into a lifetime commitment.
Education
Remote Volunteer Opportunities Let Disaster Responders Serve From Home
Work conflicts to physical constraints, not every Greyshirt can get into the field on every operation. Here are eight ways virtual volunteers can make a big impact with zero travel.
8 Tips to Avoid Disaster Relief Scams and Fraud
For survivors of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona and other disasters, here’s how to protect yourself from scammers and fraud while navigating the recovery processes.
Veterans May be Healthcare’s Next Best Hope
As healthcare workers exit the marketplace at alarming rates, America faces an escalating crisis. The SERVE Act could provide an antidote, if we act upon it.
#BePrepared: Social Media Could Save Your Life During a Disaster
Real-time updates and emergency alerts to safety check-ins, here’s how to use Twitter and other platforms to prepare for, monitor, and stay safe during any severe storm.
Defining LADs: The Making of a Low-Attention Disaster
Understanding what makes a disaster a LAD and why it matters to affected communities and the people who serve them.
Tornado Alert Apps Offer Instant Warnings Anywhere, Anytime
Easy-to-use emergency alerting systems can deliver warnings to those in a twister’s path faster and with greater localized precision.