This past week, Grounded Boots Relief had the unexpected opportunity to join the Project Your Home event in Marion, NC: an event open to the general public, offering us a chance to connect directly with individuals, answer their questions, and share who we are and why we do what we do.

It wasn’t simply a resource fair, but a gathering of people just like us: folks who didn’t plan on starting organizations but stepped into the gap when Hurricane Helene made it clear that someone had to. We were also invited into conversations with other disaster relief groups that, like us, formed out of necessity. That common ground laid the foundation for something deeper: aligned values, shared grit, and a desire to strengthen systems before the next crisis strikes.

Because here’s the truth: we’re not supposed to do this alone. No single group can be everything to everyone. When we try, we stretch too thin, lose focus, and risk burnout. But when we collaborate- really collaborate- we amplify each other’s work. We specialize, we trust, and we cut down on duplication so that more energy goes where it’s needed most.

Unlike some recovery circles that have drifted away from hands-on readiness, this WNC-based coalition is about action. Their mission is straightforward: connect now, so the next time disaster hits, communities don’t start from scratch. We start from connection.

We’re proud to be at that table. Proud to speak face-to-face with the people we serve. And proud to build before it breaks, because what we do while the skies are blue is what makes all the difference when they turn grey.

Recently, we brought home a haul of logs from survivor properties- remnants of destruction that we’re turning into something useful: firewood. It’s not just about clearing land. It’s about making sure that survivors have what they need to stay warm through the winter, and that none of the hard work goes to waste.

We're still out there, chainsaws running, splitter in gear, and sweat on brows. And we're welcoming more volunteers who can help- folks who can cut, split, haul, and assist with the local recovery projects we’ve committed to. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.

While Grounded Boots Relief started as a massive cooperative effort in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the last nine months have been focused on organizing our chaos, tightening our systems, refining our mission, and investing time, money, and energy into building something sustainable. We're just now reaching the momentum point where all that groundwork is paying off.

If you requested assistance and haven’t heard back from us recently, please know it’s not from lack of interest; it’s because we’ve been laying the foundation so we can do it right.

We have access to four pallets of baby formula- an incredibly valuable resource in disaster response. Due to retail restrictions, baby formula is typically limited to one or two units per purchase, making it nearly impossible for donors to buy in bulk during a crisis. When entire communities are in need, these limits become a massive obstacle. Formula is expensive, highly regulated, and in high demand, and having it on hand when disaster strikes is a major advantage.

But here’s the issue: we can’t accept the donation without somewhere to store it. Right now, we’re operating out of a garage and a small storage unit. We need warehouse space- ideally local- to house the formula and support our ongoing 500-bucket preparedness project. That initiative alone requires room for up to 14 pallets (or just 7 if they can be stacked).

If you or someone you know manages a warehouse or facility with available space, please reach out. The use of that space can be tax-deductible, making it a win-win for everyone involved and a lifesaver for families in crisis.

The Sahara is moving at nearly 30 miles per decade.
As tropical zones shift poleward, deserts are following—expanding fast enough to reshape entire regions and threaten millions who rely on agriculture and water from now-vanishing ecosystems like Lake Chad.
Source: Earth.org

A lot of opportunities cross my desk- or rattle around in my noggin. But only a few pass the vibe check. That’s why I’m supremely grateful when others can actually see the vision I carry, and even more so when I get to talk with people who match that passion, or at the very least, don’t try to clip its wings.

If you’ve ever seen October Sky, there’s one scene where Homer runs through an empty field shouting, “And over here! We can build a launchpad!” That’s me. That’s how I feel when something finally clicks, whether it’s solving a pain point that’s been dogging us for months, or a huge donation coming through in the form of a canopy (you know who you are: thank you). On that note: we will never have too many canopies. They’re wildly versatile, and during deployments, we will need several in use at the same time. So yes, we’re still looking for more.

I’ve said it before, but I’ve got a bit of a habit of putting the cart before the horse and somehow, the horse shows up anyway. We didn’t have any trailers when I started asking for a place to park equipment. But by the time we were signing on the dotted line for that land, the first camper trailer was pulling in. Now, we’ve got a few pieces of gear parked there. Cart and horse, together at last, thanks entirely to the generosity of others.

Some call it providence. Some call it a God thing. Whatever it is, I’m honored that you’ve trusted me- trusted us- enough to let us use your resources to grow. One day we’ll be able to pull more of our own weight. But for now, thank you for hitching your wagon to this work.

John S. Badger