When we deploy, strategy isn’t optional. What gets loaded, what stays behind, and in what order things move can make or break the first 48 hours of response. We need setup. We need sleeping quarters. But above all, we need supplies, volunteers, and a willingness to serve in whatever capacity is asked. Without that last part, the rest never makes it out of the garage.

Trucks, trailers, vans, and even cars are the lifelines of our response model. Trucks haul trailers. Trailers carry goods. Vans and cars transport people and critical items. If you’re ever asked to assist with a deployment, let us know what kind of vehicle you’re bringing and what you’re comfortable having loaded up. Your wheels are more than transportation; they’re tools.

We now have a dedicated inventory manager whose job is to coordinate exactly what goes into the field and how. They assemble supplies based on mission needs and stage everything for pickup near Hendersonville (subject to change as our storage situation evolves). This means you won’t be left scrambling through a Walmart parking lot trying to guess what we’re short on. We’ll load you with what matters most.

When we deploy, setup and supplies hit the road first. That gives us a base of operations and lets us start distributing aid immediately. Sleeping quarters follow- though right now, we’re light on dedicated housing. Most volunteers should plan to camp, car sleep, or (if the stars align) find a nearby hotel. Disaster zones don’t come with instructions, and flexibility isn’t optional.

That’s also why we’re looking for runners: folks with a reliable vehicle and a willingness to clock some miles. This isn’t cross-country trucking- we’re talking 250, maybe up to 500 miles in extreme cases. But we need drivers who can transport key supplies between our Western North Carolina staging areas and the deployment zone. It’s not glamorous work. It won’t land you a CB handle or a truck stop ballad. But it is vital.

Disaster response doesn’t move on hope alone; it moves on wheels, cargo, and committed people like you.

It was great connecting with so many of you yesterday at the 1st Street Block Party. Some of you have been following our journey from the beginning, while others just discovered Grounded Boots Relief for the first time- if that’s you, welcome aboard!

Events like this give us the chance to share who we are, what we do, and why we’re different. Your questions help us grow. Every time someone asks about our mission, it challenges us to clarify, refine, and reflect on how we operate and why it matters. We’re still a young organization, and we want to be challenged. Your curiosity is part of what strengthens us.

We’re excited about the road ahead, and it means the world to know that so many of you are invested in the work we're building, together.

This Saturday, July 12th, we’re rolling up our sleeves to do some much-needed cleanup on local properties and we could use a few more boots on the ground. If you’ve got the time and the grit, we’ve got the work. Expect chainsaw work, debris removal, and plenty of sweat equity as we continue restoring our community.

Wear clothes you can move in and closed-toed shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. No experience? No problem. We’ll guide you through it and get you plugged in.

Location TBD – Email us at info@groundedbootsrelief.org to be notified once location and weather are confirmed. (Keep an eye on your spam folder too)

Time: 10am - ?

Worst (somewhat) Natural Disaster in Human History
In 1931, central China experienced the deadliest flood in recorded history—but the water wasn’t the worst of it. While 140,000 people drowned, over 2 million more died in the aftermath from hunger, disease, and exposure. Entire provinces were underwater. Crops failed, clean water vanished, and outbreaks of cholera and typhoid swept through refugee populations. 
What makes it truly staggering: much of this devastation was preventable. Years of deforestation, ignored infrastructure, and poor water management turned a seasonal flood into a man-made catastrophe.
Source: DisasterHistory.org

I spoke with someone this past week who echoed a frustration I remember all too well from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene: they wanted to help, but the larger organizations needed hours of formal training just to hand someone a bottle of water. As if disaster waits patiently while we complete a four-hour onboarding slideshow.

So, we built something different. A ragtag bunch of stubborn, well-meaning folks who showed up and did what needed doing. Would it have been better if everyone had training? Sure. But desperate times rarely coordinate with our ideal timelines.

That spirit still fuels Grounded Boots Relief. Wherever possible, It is my intention to keep parts of this organization open to anyone who can fog a mirror and don a pair of gloves. No, you won’t be running medical or leading search teams without training; this isn’t the Wild West. But if you want to pass out supplies, move debris, or help us keep things running when the wheels are coming off, there should always be room for you.

Because sometimes all it takes to make a difference is a willing heart, a strong back, and the audacity to show up.

John S. Badger