This year marks the 15th anniversary of Go Day—and the birth of Team Rubicon. Celebrated annually on January 13, Go Day commemorates the day in 2010 when eight volunteers mobilized to respond to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Their efforts that day laid the foundation for what has become one of the most respected disaster relief organizations in the world.
The Birth of Go Day—and Team Rubicon
The story begins on January 12, 2010, when a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, claiming over 200,000 lives and leaving millions in need of aid. While international organizations mobilized large-scale responses, eight veterans recognized the urgency of immediate action. Leveraging their military training, they assembled a team, gathered supplies, and deployed to Haiti.
That initial deployment led to the birth of Team Rubicon—the name, inspired by Julius Caesar’s historic crossing of the Rubicon River, symbolizes a point of no return—and is considered the organization’s very first “Go Day.”
Why Celebrate Go Day?
For Team Rubicon, Go Day is not just about looking back; it’s about reaffirming the values that guide its mission: service, excellence, and community. Over the past 15 years, the organization has grown exponentially, enlisting more than 180,000 volunteers—known as Greyshirts—to respond to disasters both domestically and internationally. These volunteers, many of whom are veterans, use their unique skills to help communities recover and rebuild after hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and other crises.
Celebrating Go Day highlights the achievements of the past while inspiring future action. It is a day to honor the veterans and first responders who form the backbone of Team Rubicon, as well as the communities that trust and welcome their support.
How Team Rubicon Will Recognize Its 15th Go Day
For Greyshirts, the best way to celebrate Go Day has long been in service to others and their communities. That’s why once again, for the week surrounding its January 13 Go Day, Team Rubicon will celebrate with events across the country, including volunteer training sessions, Greyshirt socials, and community service projects.
Already there are 30 events scheduled everywhere from Maine to California between January 10 and 25 in honor of Team Rubicon’s 15th Go Day, with more publishing to Roll Call soon. Here are few:
A Camp Clean Up and Go Day Celebration in Connecticut
On January 11, Greyshirts in Connecticut will celebrate Go Day in service, continuing work at Camp Inspire to get it ready for future campers. Greyshirts will conduct a variety of projects, including removing equipment from the kitchen, demolition work, and loading dumpsters.
A Louisiana Geaux Day Service Event in the Marshlands
On January 11, Team Rubicon will partner with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana for a special “Geaux Day” service event that will take Greyshirts into the heart of Louisiana’s marshlands, where they’ll contribute directly to vital coastal restoration efforts. Greyshirts will get a scenic boat ride through the marsh to reach the planting site, followed by hands-on work planting native vegetation to stabilize the shoreline and protect Louisiana’s coast.
Minnesota Greyshirts to Help Feed the Hungry
On January 18, 2025, Greyshirts will help pack meals for the Twin Cities nonprofit Feed My Starving Children.
A Tuscon Service Project for Go Day
Arizona Greyshirts will commemorate Go Day by helping clean up the Santa Cruz River wash in Tucson on Saturday, January 11.
Numerous Wildfire Mitigation Service Projects in California
On January 11, Greyshirt sawyers and general responders will support the Escondido Fire Department in assisting with an elderly couple’s home, including helping to clear it of fire code violations.
In Lake Elsinore, CA, on January 11, Greyshirts will continue with mitigation and recovery work from the Airport Fire which destroyed more than 70 homes and burned 23,000 acres. Greyshirts will spend January 11 removing stream blockages that could flood nearby homes and removing dead and damaged hazardous trees that create a possible fall hazard.
Also on January 11, Team Rubicon will assist with wildfire mitigation in Silverado, CA at the Double R Ranch, clearing vegetation around the facility to comply with Fire Authority regulations.
How Greyshirt’s Can Celebrate Go Day
Any Greyshirt looking to celebrate Go Day in service or with a training project should visit Roll Call, click on “Events & More” in the menu bar, then choose “Find Events.”
Once you’re in the Find Events calendar, type “Go Day” into the search bar or search for all events between January 10 and January 25, 2025. Zoom out to view events across the entire U.S. and Canada.
