When disaster strikes, paved roads are the first thing to go: flash floods, fallen trees, landslides, debris, wash-outs, collapsed bridges, and more. There’s no shortage of obstacles between us and the people who need help. That’s where all-terrain vehicles come in. And we mean all of them.

We’re talking Subarus with the clearance to cross creeks. Jeeps built for crawling up what used to be a driveway. Trucks with good tires and better instincts. ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides that know how to dance through the backwoods without asking permission. If it moves and doesn’t panic at the sight of a washed-out road, we’re interested.

At Grounded Boots Relief, these vehicles are baseline. We use them to scout damage, reach isolated neighborhoods, and carry supplies where nothing else can. Sometimes, they’re the only reason we can get eyes on a community fast enough to act. Sometimes, they’re the only way someone gets out.

Operators with experience behind the wheel or handlebars are just as critical. It takes more than horsepower to navigate shifting ground, sketchy slopes, or tight corridors between fallen limbs. We rely on people who can stay calm in unpredictable terrain and know how to get themselves and others home safe.

These vehicles allow us to be more mobile, more responsive, and more adaptable. They give us options when everything else is stuck. They turn volunteers into lifelines and give us the kind of access that makes the difference between late and on time.

We’re building a network that includes these machines and the people who know how to use them well. Because when the call comes in, there’s no time to wait for ideal conditions. We roll with what we’ve got. And, the more capable those wheels, the farther we can go.

Whether you’ve got a lifted truck, a trail-ready bike, or a humble hatchback that happens to love dirt, we see you. If you’re willing to bring it when the roads fall apart, there’s a place for you here.

The need is real. The terrain is tough. But with the right tools and the right team, we keep moving forward.

Yesterday’s Gear Up & Game On wasn’t just a success- it was a muddy, fog-kissed, camera-loving dream come true.

This quarter's Gear Up & Game On, we put the spotlight on our all-terrain model, taking our off-road capability from concept to action. It was time to put boots and wheels on the ground and show what mobility looks like when the terrain gets tricky.

We were ecstatic. Not only did we get to stretch our fleet and give the gears a proper workout, but we also captured some incredible promotional footage that shows exactly why this model matters.

And yes, we got the goods.

Thanks to every volunteer who came out, rode hard, and got thoroughly drenched in puddles and mist. The fog that rolled through the trees gave us a cinematic kind of atmosphere, the kind you can’t fake in post-production. We’re talking glistening mud, fog-drenched shots, and enough splashes to keep a camera crew happy for weeks. A few of those shots are featured right here in this edition of the Gazette. The rest you’ll have to wait to see them across our social channels and future AV projects.

Promotional material might not seem like a frontline priority, but at Grounded Boots Relief, it’s a vital department. It helps us tell the story. It brings in resources, support, and new volunteers. It shows the world that we’re not just a name. We’re a movement. And sometimes, that movement comes with big tires and muddy boots.

Gear Up & Game On gives us more than media. It gives us momentum.

So thank you. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for pushing up that trail. Thank you for laughing through the fog and helping us build something bigger than the moment.

We’ll see you on the next ride. Keep those engines tuned, boots ready, and cameras rolling.

Earth Overshoot Day 2025: July 24th
In 1971, Earth Overshoot Day fell on December 29. That meant the planet could almost keep up with what humans used in a year. In 2025, it lands on July 24—meaning we’re consuming 1.7 Earths’ worth of resources annually.
Source: overshoot.footprint.org

A part of me feels a little guilty admitting I took a short break. Just two nights down in Panama City Beach, Florida, my old stomping grounds. And even then, I spent one of those nights working on a grant application. That’s the nature of this work. Even when I step away, my mind doesn’t wander far from Grounded Boots Relief.

While in Florida, I kept thinking about how the state responds to hurricanes, how their systems work, and what we could borrow or build upon to strengthen our own operations.

Now back in Western North Carolina, I’m as focused as ever. We’re actively shaping the next phase of this organization, sometimes building, sometimes stripping away what no longer fits. Streamlining isn’t simply about efficiency; it’s about clarity.

I’m thrilled about the decision to zero in on post-disaster assessment and communication. It’s a space where we can lead, inform, and truly support others on the ground. Instead of trying to do everything, we’re choosing to do what we do best- and to do it well.

Not a whole tiny pie, but a real, meaningful slice of something much larger.