Communities
Grounded Boots Relief works directly with communities across the Southeast to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. We believe that collaboration between neighbors, churches, schools, and local organizations is the most effective way to help towns and families rebuild after disaster. Our focus is on communication, coordination, and supporting local efforts by filling the gaps that help community-led recovery move forward efficiently and safely.
Our Range of Response
Grounded Boots Relief serves communities within a 500-mile radius of our headquarters in Henderson County, North Carolina. This region includes much of the Southeast, allowing us to reach areas across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and nearby states.
Our mission is to support local communities before, during, and after disasters. We partner with residents, churches, schools, and community organizations to share information, assess needs, and connect resources where they are most effective. Whether preparing for an approaching storm or navigating recovery after one, we work alongside you to strengthen communication, restore access, and help communities recover faster and stronger.
Our Role in Collaborative Response
Grounded Boots Relief focuses on post-disaster reconnaissance and logistical support.
Our trained teams enter affected areas to gather verified field data and share it with local partners, emergency managers, and VOADs. These on-the-ground assessments help identify where resources are needed most, allowing organizations to focus their efforts where they will have the greatest impact.
Our services include:
Field reconnaissance and initial damage assessments
Communication support between agencies, volunteers, and community leaders
Delivery of essential supplies such as propane, generators, and water when access is limited
Mapping and reporting to support decision-making and deployment planning
We work to connect local responders with larger support networks, strengthening coordination and reducing overlap so that recovery moves forward more effectively.
Coordination and Integration
Collaboration in Action
Every community and organization brings unique strengths to disaster response. Grounded Boots Relief is built to complement, not compete with, existing efforts. We work within local structures, supporting logistics, field operations, and communication when additional help or specialized capability is needed.
By partnering with community groups, churches, schools, and local VOADs, we help create a clearer understanding of conditions on the ground. This collaboration allows aid to reach people faster, ensures resources are used wisely, and helps communities recover more fully and efficiently.
Our Volunteer Organization Liaison
Laura Block, Volunteer Organization Liaison and Advisory Panelist
Laura Block brings extensive experience in both medical and disaster response leadership. She holds a BA in Biochemistry and a Doctorate in Pharmacy and is a retired clinical hospital pharmacist. Since 1997, Laura has volunteered as an event medic and has served with both the CA-4 and GA-3 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams from 2001 to 2011.
In 2017, Laura joined Team Rubicon as a volunteer leader and now supports the Membership function for the Eastern Half of the United States. Her work extends deeply into the disaster response community through her role with North Carolina Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NC VOAD), where she serves as Treasurer, a member of the State Emergency Response Team, and co-chair of the Volunteer Management Committee.
As Grounded Boots Relief’s Nonprofit Liaison, Laura serves as our connection to partner organizations and VOAD networks. She helps align our efforts with state and national coordination groups, ensuring collaboration remains effective, safe, and mission-driven.
Connect with Us
We are always open to new partnerships that align with our mission of readiness, communication, and relief.
[email protected]
Subject Line: Nonprofit Collaboration [your organization name]
