We returned to Polk County this week for another volunteer day supporting Chuck. His property had four trees leaning over the driveway and two posing a direct risk to his home. Our team was able to safely bring down three of the trees over the drive and one of the trees threatening the house. We also split a large amount of firewood to help support him through the season.

 

One tree had already fallen onto his barn, causing severe damage. Removing that tree requires specialized equipment, such as a knuckle grapple saw truck, to do the work safely. Some of the remaining trees will also need a mini excavator to control their fall. We have reached the limit of what our volunteer crew can safely accomplish with the tools available, and we are now seeking partners with the right equipment to finish the job.

We are proud of the work completed and grateful for every volunteer who showed up. At the same time, we feel the weight of Chuck's losses. Situations like this remind us why local volunteers matter so much. When neighbors step up, real progress happens.

 

If you want to join future recovery efforts in Western North Carolina, you can sign up at groundedbootsrelief.org/volunteer.

Grounded Boots Relief grows stronger every time the right people step into the right roles. As we expand our long-term recovery work and strengthen our ability to respond quickly, we are actively looking for a few key positions that will shape the future of this organization.

 

We are currently seeking:

 

• Long Term Recovery Leader
Someone who can help coordinate ongoing recovery efforts in Western North Carolina, maintain communication with partner agencies, and keep cases moving long after the news cameras leave.

 

• Chainsaw Operations Volunteers
Experienced sawyers or those eager to learn. These roles are central to our work in clearing access routes, removing hazards, and keeping families safe after storms.

 

• Volunteer Coordinators (in person or remote)
This role keeps our entire structure functioning. Coordinators help onboard new volunteers, track availability, and maintain communication so we know exactly who can deploy when the call comes.

 

• Social Media Volunteers
Storytelling matters. We are looking for people who can help share updates, create graphics, reply to messages, and help the community understand the work we do.

 

• Bookkeeper
Even an all-volunteer nonprofit needs accurate financial tracking. A detail-oriented bookkeeper helps keep us transparent, accountable, and positioned for long-term sustainability.

 

If any of these roles speak to you, or if you know somebody who might thrive in one of them, we would love to connect. The right people can change everything for a mission like ours.

  The Coriolis Effect Is Too Weak for Tornadoes
 The Coriolis effect influences huge-scale systems like hurricanes, but it has almost no impact on tornadoes because they are too small and short-lived for Earth’s rotation to affect their spin.
Source: scientificamerican.com

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I was lucky enough to celebrate twice, once with my siblings and again with Sarah Barat’s family. I balanced it out yesterday in Polk County by volunteering and cutting more lumber, which you likely saw earlier in this edition.

 

We are continuing to introduce Grounded Boots Relief to established organizations and companies (that you've definitely heard of), and the momentum has been encouraging. As we refine our scope of operations, we are also making sure we recognize where mission creep begins so we know how to avoid it. Several major organizations have invited us to the table to discuss how we fit into the broader response landscape, what support looks like, and how we can move forward without scattering resources.

 

It has been rewarding to sit at the helm of this organization and see how groups can stay in their lanes while still strengthening each other’s work. When partnerships are intentional, everyone benefits, and the community becomes stronger for it.