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Forward Watch, January 22
Team Rubicon completes its first Gulf Coast home rebuild and now supports 11 COVID-19 vaccination sites across the country.
Getting a Shot to Get Back in the Field
A Greyshirt reflects on how a life-saving opportunity—getting the COVID-19 vaccine—means the opportunity to serve survivors.
Out of Scrubs and Into a Grey Shirt
On his first deployment, a surgeon in Arizona goes from the frontline to managing the vaccination traffic line.
Statement on the Peaceful Transition of Power
Team Rubicon condemns any violence and illegal actions, regardless of motivation, or any other acts that threaten our democracy, including those that took place at the Capitol on January 6th. We hope that tomorrow’s transfer of power will be peaceful, just as it has been in every transition since our nation’s founding. Dedicated to serving communities impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises, … Read More
Veterans Take a Shot at COVID-19
With the 2020 disaster season in the rearview, volunteers begin helping get Americans vaccinated.
Forward Watch, January 15
Team Rubicon’s ability to support COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues to grow.
Reflections
The 91-Day Greyshirt
How I went from sign-up to the Navajo Nation’s longest-serving volunteer in just three months. We all have our own Team Rubicon journey. Mine goes from thinking I didn’t belong to becoming a comms lead in a matter of months. I grew up wanting to serve in the military. My father was a Marine, … Read More
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.
Finding the Tribe That Always Has Your Back
Vietnam veteran Mahlon Mason reflects on military service then, service to country now, and belonging to the TRibe that always has his six.
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.
History & Culture
On Go Day, Answering the Call of Disasters Past and Future
With more than a decade under its belt, this veteran-led nonprofit looks at where it has been, and where it’s going.
Canadian Volunteers Deliver Southern Comfort
Disaster relief volunteers deploy to the American Southeast to help serve survivors of historic hurricane season.
2020 in Review: Historic Disasters and Historic Responses
Hurricanes, wildfires, and a pandemic: How a veteran-led disaster relief organization took on 2020.
How Veteran Volunteers Use Military Skills for Disaster Relief
Art delaCruz, President and COO of Team Rubicon, writes for Disaster Recovery Journal on how Team Rubicon innovates to serve the American people during COVID-19 pandemic.
9/11: Memories and Reflection
Art delaCruz was aboard the USS Enterprise, exiting the Persian Gulf, when a series of four attacks changed the world. Nearly two decades later, Team Rubicon’s COO reflects on that day and the 9/11 attacks.
More Than One Way Into the Grey
From cans of cola to bad romance, four crazy stories of how some amazing volunteers got involved with Team Rubicon.
Stories of Service
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.
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.
For One Family, Iowa Derecho Brings ‘Saints and Angels’
In clearing wind storm debris, Greyshirts win the hearts of a Cedar Rapids couple.
2020 TRLC Award Winners – Monika Barber receives ‘Getting Greyshirts Downrange’ Award
Learn about the recipients of 2020’s TRLC Award Recipients here. Congratulations to our ‘Getting Greyshirts Downrange Award’ recipient Monika Barber, serving out of the Southwest region.
2020 TRLC Award Winners – Apree Clicque receives ‘Impact’ Award
Learn about the recipients of 2020’s TRLC Award Recipients here. Congratulations to our ‘Impact Award’ recipient Apree Clicque, serving out of the South Central region.
2020 TRLC Award Winners – Jim Tochterman receives ‘Downrange’ Award
Learn about the recipients of 2020’s TRLC Award Recipients here. Congratulations to our ‘Downrange Award’ recipient Jim Tochterman, serving out of the Southeast region.
COVID-19
Veterans Take a Shot at COVID-19
With the 2020 disaster season in the rearview, volunteers begin helping get Americans vaccinated.
I Got Vaccinated Against COVID-19. Here’s Why.
David Callaway, MD, who lead teams during MERS, Ebola, and now COVID-19, on the vaccine and taking one for the Team, himself, and all of America.
Playing Witness to the COVID-19 Vaccine and Its Life-Changing Effects
The final leg of a coronavirus vaccination site reveals the recent trauma of the pandemic, and the arrival of hope.
At the Navajo Nation, an Injection of Hope
Nurse, Navy veteran and Team Rubicon volunteer helps deliver first COVID-19 vaccines to frontline workers.
Feeding Operation Ends, but Volunteers Won’t Quit
Even as Team Rubicon’s emergency food assistance program comes to a close, Greyshirts keep on delivering.
As Disaster Survivors Suffer, Are Americans Turning a Blind Eye?
Hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires don’t stop for pandemics. When it comes to disaster relief, neither should America’s aid organizations.
Partner News
Team Rubicon and PXG Announce “Two Million Dollar Challenge” for Hurricane Laura Relief
Los Angeles, CA (September 4, 2020) – Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization, announced today a “Two-Million Dollar Challenge” for its Hurricane Laura relief effort. The challenge was issued by PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons, a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran. Through PXG, a company dedicated to developing high-performance golf equipment and … Read More
“Trust” and the Incredible Impact it Drives
How unrestricted funding helps Team Rubicon meet dynamic needs.
New Partnership Drives Disaster and Coronavirus Relief Efforts
With help from Hertz, volunteers travel thousands of miles to deliver meals and COVID-19 medical aid during the first six months of 2020.
Volunteers Help Bring Coronavirus Testing Sites to California
Team Rubicon and Verily team up on their first coronavirus testing sites in California. The free coronavirus testing sites, located in LA, San Francisco, and Lake County, will expand across the state later this month.
Penske Media Corporation Launches “Hail the Heroes” Initiative Alongside Team Rubicon to Raise Funds for COVID-19 Relief
May 7, 2020 (New York, NY) — Today, at 7pm ET, in a round of virtual applause, Penske Media Corporation (PMC) launched “Hail the Heroes,” a thank you initiative to raise funds for Team Rubicon and their efforts around the COVID-19 crisis. Leaders from across PMC’s portfolio of media brands, including Rolling Stone, Variety, WWD, and Deadline, have joined together with luminaries in the … Read More
Fighting Hunger with Feeding America
Yesterday, Team Rubicon announced a new partnership with Feeding America to ensure that families in vulnerable communities get the food and supplies they need throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America is a charitable network made up of over 200 individual member food banks with the goal of eliminating hunger in the U.S. Each year they provide roughly 4.3 billion free meals through community pantries and nutrition assistance programs that serve every county in the country. While we … Read More
From the Field
Getting a Shot to Get Back in the Field
A Greyshirt reflects on how a life-saving opportunity—getting the COVID-19 vaccine—means the opportunity to serve survivors.
Out of Scrubs and Into a Grey Shirt
On his first deployment, a surgeon in Arizona goes from the frontline to managing the vaccination traffic line.
Finding Purpose During the Pandemic
Furloughed by the coronavirus, a hospitality worker spends his time as a disaster relief volunteer and finds a new meaning of service.
Canadian Volunteers Deliver Southern Comfort
Disaster relief volunteers deploy to the American Southeast to help serve survivors of historic hurricane season.
In Service, Finding Soul Food
A Canadian Greyshirt who responded to Hurricane Sally reflects on community, teamwork, and the TRibe.
Playing Witness to the COVID-19 Vaccine and Its Life-Changing Effects
The final leg of a coronavirus vaccination site reveals the recent trauma of the pandemic, and the arrival of hope.
CHFP
Greyshirts Roll Out to Address Ignored Hurricane Survivors
“I thought of the family being disappointed a fourth time,” says Greyshirt Eric Dunn, “I couldn’t let that happen.”
Welcome the Clay Hunt Fellows of Base Camp 5
Meet these 12 military veteran Greyshirts as they embark on a six-month curriculum of self-discovery and leadership training.
Meet Basecamp 4 of the 2020 Clay Hunt Fellows Program
These 13 military veterans have been selected for newest cohort and will take part in six months of self-realization and leadership training.
Meet the Newest Cohort of 2020 Clay Hunt Fellows
12 veterans will undertake six months of leadership and disaster response training as they become the newest cohort in the Clay Hunt Fellows Program.
Team Rubicon Names New Cohort of 2020 Clay Hunt Fellows
Meet the 12 newest veterans to serve as Clay Hunt Fellows.
Team Rubicon’s Clay Hunt Fellows Program Announces a New Cohort
The Clay Hunt Fellows Program is a 6-month leadership and training program for veteran members of Team Rubicon. This program equips the veteran with tools to redefine their purpose and identity out of uniform for a life of continued service through a 6-month Base Camp curriculum of strengths discovery, self-awareness exploration, discussions, reading and self-reflection … Read More
In the Grey
Five Ways to Go Grey on Black Friday
Here’s how to turn the biggest shopping day of the year into a do-gooder’s holiday from the comfort of the couch or within the community.
Out of the Cockpit and Into the Disaster Zone
Grounded during the pandemic, pilots turn to disaster relief and volunteer service.
A Greyshirt Who Goes Above and Beyond
All Greyshirts have a life outside the grey. Bob Bledsoe’s happens to be in the cockpit of a Boeing 767 for FedEx.
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.
2020 TRLC Award Winners – Monika Barber receives ‘Getting Greyshirts Downrange’ Award
Learn about the recipients of 2020’s TRLC Award Recipients here. Congratulations to our ‘Getting Greyshirts Downrange Award’ recipient Monika Barber, serving out of the Southwest region.
2020 TRLC Award Winners – Apree Clicque receives ‘Impact’ Award
Learn about the recipients of 2020’s TRLC Award Recipients here. Congratulations to our ‘Impact Award’ recipient Apree Clicque, serving out of the South Central region.
Education
Put an End to the Social Injustice of Disaster Relief
Jake Wood, Team Rubicon founder and CEO, and Wes Moore, CEO of Robin Hood, on how disasters have amplified inequity and social injustice in the U.S. more than ever before.
For Corporations, Disaster Preparedness is All About Employees
From deploying emergency responders to creating emergency relief funds, American companies find new ways to respond to disasters at home.
How Prepared are YOU for: An Earthquake
Although escaping an occurring earthquake may not be an option, here is what you can do to prepare for when things start to get shaken up.
Surviving the Disaster After the Disaster
When it comes to disasters, it’s not always the storm that causes the most deaths but the dangers that come after. Luckily, many can be avoided. Here’s how.
How Prepared are YOU for: A Tornado
From derechos to tornadoes–disaster brought on by wind is no joke. Here is how you can prepare for wind based disasters.
How to Prep Your Pets for Disaster
Your four-legged friends may not always understand what’s going on, but here is what you can do to keep them and your family safe when things go south.