Veterans nonprofit program, Team Rubicon, assists in tornado cleanup

BY HALEY LENA HLEAN@COLORADOCOMMUNTIYMEDIA.COM

Volunteers with Team Rubicon throughout the Denver metro area, including a few from Highlands Ranch, were ready to jump into action as soon as the EF-1 tornado hit the ground in Highlands Ranch on June 22.

After the tornado plowed through 6.3 miles in the unincorporated community, Commander Rachel Fox and sta got in touch with Douglas County Emergency Management.

After surveying neighborhoods and providing what support they could give to the community on Friday, June 23, Team Rubicon had a team on the ground Saturday morning helping homeowners for free.

“It was really neat,” said Fox. “It was like neighbors helping neighbors and you know, everybody was out helping each other.” e organization was originally founded following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti - now more than 150,000 volunteers in the organization across the nation and over 1,100 operations domestically and internationally. e organization pairs military veterans with medical professionals, rst responders and technology solutions to provide an impactful service. up after tornado events such as this, but they also take part in re mitigation and other natural disasters such as hurricanes. tornado resulted in damaged and downed trees. With about 30 volunteers a day, teams are deployed to residents in need and work to cut down damaged trees, cut up fallen trees, haul branches away and move debris to the curb.

Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities during and after disasters.

“We have di erent levels of training, like formal training that we go through,” said Fox.

Fox said that some of the trees in they encourage homeowners to hire can’t put in words the value of their sel ess acts.” omas said there is a lot to be grateful for in Highlands Ranch and is looking forward to the community coming together and to celebrate the Fourth of July.

“We’re not changing our lives because of this little tornado,” said omas.

With a team set up at Eastridge Recreation Facility, they are able to access the Crisis Home Cleanup database and look at what residents are requesting for assistance and if it is within their capabilities, they claim it and send a team out to help.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, volunteers are in groups working with each other and helping one another be safe while attempting to save trees, cut down trees and remove debris.

While some requests take a few hours, there are some large trees in dangerous situations that take a few days to remove.

You

Unless within thirty-five (35) days after the publication of this Notice you file a response with the Court, or appear before the Court, your parental rights to the Child may likely be terminated. You have the right to waive your right to appear and contest, and your failure to appear and contest, either in person or by a representative, will result in the Court forever terminating your parent-child legal relationship and granting the requested who simply do not have the nancial means to clear the trees o their properties or their fences, to put them in a safe condition. And so these sel ess people, including the Latter Day Saints and we also had some people from the Baptist Church who showed up. You just

County Commissioner Lora omas.

“We’re really trying to help as much as we can,” said Fox. e volunteers will be providing their services through Friday, June 30.

In addition, Douglas County will begin curbside pickup for those who cannot transport the debris from the hardest hit areas of the community on ursday, June 29. Residents who request help are asked to ll out a form which can be found on Highlands Ranch Metro District website.