As Number of Disasters Grows, Veteran Relief Group Looks to Do the Same

Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization comprised mainly of veterans, has launched its first-ever fundraising campaign: Eleven11. Leading up to Veterans Day (11/11), the nonprofit encourages the public to join its "Support Squad" through a recurring donation of $5 per month. The funds will help Team Rubicon launch more operations, engage more volunteers in service, and grow as an organization—vital as the number of natural disasters occurring seems to increase.

"Disasters can destroy infrastructure and buildings, but we've seen what disasters can never break: community," said Jake Wood, Team Rubicon cofounder and CEO. "Thousands of Team Rubicon volunteers have deployed to help those who need it the most and now, it's time to grow the TR Nation so we can continue to help those who need it the most." Wood, along with fellow former Marine Will McNulty, formed Team Rubicon in the wake of the deadly earthquake that crippled Haiti, in 2010. They believed that it was taking larger relief organizations too long to reach quake victims.

They theorized that by combining the skills learned in combat with those of first responders, a small team could be formed that could bridge the gap until full-scale operations were established. In Haiti, they learned that the organization also served another purpose—it filled the void of service lost after leaving the military. "The military provides its members with a purpose, an identity, a true sense of community," said McNulty. "Team Rubicon helps fulfill that need to serve, that so many veterans seek."

Over the past three and a half years, Team Rubicon has grown to over 12,000 volunteers and launched 47 missions to four continents and ten countries. This past year alone, they've deployed on 16 missions across the United States.

Team Rubicon's efforts have made a measurable impact, impacting dozens of communities:

Following Hurricane Sandy, the volunteers worked on more than 900 homes in New York and New Jersey, saving the community an estimated $3.8 million in recovery costs. In Oklahoma following tornadoes, they worked on 450-plus homes in Oklahoma, saving homeowners an estimated $3.7 million in recovery costs. After record-flooding in Colorado, they mucked out 95 homes, saving homeowners an estimated $400,000 in recovery costs. "Disasters aren't going away, and with your help, neither are we," said Wood. In addition to fundraising, Team Rubicon will commemorate Veterans Day by taking part in service projects across the country, including rebuilding Sandy-damaged homes in Rockaway Beach, N.Y., and an American Legion Post in Seaside Heights, N.J., Nov. 9.