Last weekend, on February 28, Grounded Boots Relief showed up to address a problem that had been sitting untouched since Hurricane Helene.

 

Mike’s story is unfortunately familiar. In the days and weeks after the storm, many residents were promised help that never fully materialized. When large systems stall, it often falls to neighbors and nonprofits to close the gap.

 

Mike’s home, a multi generational log cabin in Hendersonville, was flooded to chest height in the living area when Helene came through. The area where Mud Creek and Clear Creek meet, within sight of his home, was one of the places where lives were lost during the storm.

 

Even with physical limitations, Mike tried to help others that night. At one point he attempted to rescue someone whose car had been pulled into the current. Search and rescue ultimately reached them hours later. The storm left its mark in more ways than one.

 

When the water receded, Mike’s property was left covered in debris. He simply did not have the ability to clear it alone. That is when the Disaster Recovery Partnership reached out to Grounded Boots Relief to see if we could assist.

 

We did not need much convincing.

So on Saturday morning, we showed up. Gloves on. Trailers ready. Volunteers moving with purpose.

 

The team cleared the debris from Mike’s property and hauled the construction waste to the transfer station. It was straightforward, but meaningful work. The kind that turns a lingering problem into progress.

 

Mike still has repairs ahead before his home is fully restored to its pre-Helene condition. That work continues through the Disaster Recovery Partnership and other recovery resources.

 

We are proud to maintain our partnership with the Disaster Recovery Partnership and to step in where it makes sense. Sometimes the difference between feeling forgotten and feeling supported is simply knowing someone showed up.

On March 4 and 5, our founder John Badger was in Miami to represent Grounded Boots Relief at the Disasters Expo. The event brought together organizations, manufacturers, and service providers from across the disaster response space, creating an opportunity to introduce our work to leaders from companies of all sizes.

 

A number of those conversations have already opened promising doors. Some companies expressed interest in providing in kind support, which could expand what we are able to bring to the field. We have learned over time not to count eggs before they hatch, but when those partnerships solidify, we will be proud to highlight the companies involved and the new capabilities they help make possible.

 

The value of the expo extended well beyond introductions. The event also included seminars, keynote presentations, and roundtable discussions focused on the realities of disaster response today. Many of those conversations reinforced something we already know well: effective response requires adaptable organizations that can move quickly, fill gaps, and collaborate across sectors.

 

As a young organization, continuing to learn and evolve is essential. Events like this help us stay connected to emerging ideas, new technologies, and the broader network of people working in the disaster space. They also help raise awareness of Grounded Boots Relief and the role smaller, agile organizations can play when communities need support most.

The global disaster management industry is projected to reach nearly $200 billion by 2034. As floods, wildfires, and hurricanes become more frequent, governments and private companies are investing heavily in technology designed to predict, track, and respond to disasters before they spiral out of control.  
Source: polarismarketresearch.com

Someone close to me recently said they envied my ability to get excited about projects if I can connect them to Grounded Boots Relief. That observation stuck with me, and it is probably true. Topics that would normally put me to sleep somehow become interesting when they move the organization forward.

 

A prominent local nonprofit leader recently encouraged me to rewrite everything about the organization on paper. Not because we are doing things wrong, but because much of what we do has lived in practice rather than policy. Helene forced us to move quickly. Volunteers showed up, work happened, and momentum carried us forward. But not every response will look like Helene.

 

So now we are stepping back and putting structure to what works. Volunteer expectations, what services we provide (and do not), recruiting methods, training, budgets, bylaws. The whole thing is going under the microscope. Think of it as an organizational colonoscopy. Not glamorous; but incredibly useful.

 

Oddly enough, I am excited about it. The things that bored me a year ago now feel like laying the foundation for something durable.

 

You may also have seen that we will be at Uwharrie next month for the off road swap meet kicking off the season. If you are an off roader, come say hello. There will be mud, machines, and our Teryx doing its best mountain goat impression.

 

The last couple weeks have been busy, and it does not look like that pace is slowing down anytime soon.