Photo shows two men. They are both wearing grey T-shirts that say "Team Rubicon Disaster Response" and their names. They are wearing white hardhats and work gloves, and one man is holding a shovel. They are standing outside along a waterway. Behind them is wreckage from a recent natural disaster.

WoodmenLife Partners With Team Rubicon to Boost Disaster Volunteering

Jun 9, 20266/9/2026

Community

The need for volunteers after a natural disaster is immediate. Homes are damaged, lives are disrupted, and communities are upended.

WoodmenLife is committed to helping people through life’s toughest moments. Now, that commitment is growing stronger through a new WoodmenLife Extra¹ designed to give members a powerful way to take action: disaster volunteering² with Team Rubicon.

This partnership connects members to meaningful, hands-on opportunities to support communities before, during, and after natural disasters across the country.

Who Is Team Rubicon?

Team Rubicon is a Veteran-led humanitarian organization that responds to disasters. Founded in 2010 after a major earthquake in Haiti, the organization has grown into a nationwide force of volunteers dedicated to helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises.

Team Rubicon works to mobilize a network of trained volunteers — often referred to as “Greyshirts” — to step in where help is needed most. Their work spans the entire disaster cycle, including:

Preparedness and mitigation, such as fire breaks and flood protection
Immediate response, including debris removal, home stabilization, and emergency repairs
Long-term recovery, helping families rebuild and return safely to their homes

Photo shows two women hugging while standing on a home's deck. One woman is wearing a grey shirt that says "Team Rubicon" down the sleeve.

Why We Chose This Partnership

Our decision to partner with Team Rubicon was driven by both member feedback and shared purpose.

WoodmenLife members told us they were looking for a more meaningful way to help after a natural disaster — something that goes beyond donations and allows them to make a tangible difference. Team Rubicon delivers exactly that.

Both organizations share a belief that service isn’t just something you talk about — it’s something you do. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors, strengthening communities, and showing up when people need it most.

What Disaster Volunteering Looks Like

Volunteer opportunities are vast, whether people want to serve in their local community or travel to help in a disaster-stricken area. There are opportunities to match different schedules, interests, and skill levels.

Here’s what volunteers can expect:

Hands-on service: Volunteers can take part in a wide range of projects, from local service efforts to large-scale disaster response operations.
Flexible opportunities: Volunteering can last a single day or extend to multiday deployments.
No experience required: One of the best parts of this disaster volunteering is that specialized skills aren’t needed. Team Rubicon provides training, tools, and safety protocols.
Easy access: Volunteers can use Team Rubicon’s Roll Call platform to browse opportunities by location, date, and type of service.

A group of eight people stand together for the photo. They are all wearing grey "Team Rubicon" T-shirts. Behind them are several shelves filled with chairs.

Making a Real Impact

Disaster volunteering doesn’t just benefit the communities being served — it’s also transforming for those who step up to help.

Doug Cozad, a WoodmenLife associate, experienced that impact firsthand when he participated in a Team Rubicon service project in Omaha, NE.

Professional headshot of WoodmenLife associate Doug Cozad.

“When I learned about the partnership with Team Rubicon and heard more about the impact they have in communities, it really stuck with me,” he said. “It felt like a great way to get involved right away and be better prepared to step in and help on the front lines if a natural disaster were to impact our community.”

Even in a local, non-disaster setting, the experience made a lasting impression.

“I helped move furniture, fill wish list items, and prepare everything for delivery to families’ homes,” Cozad said. “It was rewarding to see how these efforts come together to provide essential items that many of us might otherwise take for granted.”

That sense of purpose is a defining part of disaster volunteering.

“What stood out the most was knowing that the work we were doing was going to directly impact families,” Cozad said. “Something as simple as a bed, a table, or a couch can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”

Efforts like Cozad’s make a real difference and restore a sense of stability during difficult times.

WoodmenLife looks to make an even greater impact: We’re a contributor to Team Rubicon’s Ready Reserve Fund, which helps the organization respond quickly and effectively whenever disasters occur.

Photo shows a woman shoveling debris left behind after a natural disaster. She is wearing a grey "Team Rubicon" shirt and an orange hardhat. Behind her is a waterway and trees.

What’s Next in Disaster Volunteering?

As this partnership grows, WoodmenLife members can expect to see more opportunities to engage in disaster volunteering — both locally and nationwide. There will be:

Increased awareness of volunteer opportunities
Stories highlighting the impact in communities
Engagement events and training opportunities
A growing network of WoodmenLife members stepping up to serve

Disaster volunteering with Team Rubicon gives WoodmenLife members a powerful new way to live their values through action. It’s about rolling up their sleeves, showing up when others need them most, and making a real, lasting impact — one project, one home, and one community at a time.

To see what being a WoodmenLife member is all about, visit WoodmenLife.org/About.

Written by: Gary Peterson, Senior Copywriter

1. WoodmenLife Extras are available to members. An individual becomes a member by joining our shared commitment to family, community and country, and by purchasing a product. These extras are not contractual, are subject to change and have specific eligibility requirements, such as length of membership, number of qualifying members in household and/or qualifying event.
2. Disaster volunteer opportunities are administered through Team Rubicon, a nonprofit organization focused on disaster response and recovery.

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