Team Rubicon Responds to Recent Hurricane Disasters

When natural disasters strike, military veterans are often among those who rush into action to help save lives. And with the recent series of hurricanes impacting the U.S. and the Caribbean, those working with Team Rubicon have stayed busy doing just that.

Founded in 2010 by U.S. Marines William McNulty and Jake Wood, Team Rubicon is a veteran-led, international disaster response organization offering rapid relief to communities affected by major disasters. The organization deployed hundreds of volunteers to Texas communities in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in late August.

Initial response teams in Texas composed largely of military veterans conducted door-to-door searches in and around Houston, performed evacuations and provided damage assessments. The organization has since sent additional volunteers to conduct a large-scale cleanup and repair effort.

As of mid-October, more than 200 Team Rubicon volunteers still were on the ground providing relief across Texas. In all, 1,835 volunteers have logged over 93,000 hours while serving more than 800 impacted families. Team Rubicon also has contributed to similar relief efforts in communities impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria in Florida and Puerto Rico, as well as Dominica, where the organization deployed two waves of personnel to provide medical assistance for residents.

Though disaster relief is Team Rubicon’s primary mission, the organization is dedicated to helping military veterans re-integrate into civilian life by providing them with purpose and the sense of community and self-worth that comes through volunteering. Of its network of 50,000 volunteers, approximately 70 percent are veterans and active-duty military.

To volunteer with Team Rubicon, visit www.teamrubiconusa.org.