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SoCal Disaster Team Aiding Sandy Relief Effort

INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A relief group based in Inglewood is already on the ground in New York and New Jersey helping out the residents affected by Superstorm Sandy.

Team Rubicon is a group of young veterans who help those in need when natural disasters strike.

Team_Rubicon
(credit: CBS)

They aided rescue crews following Hurricane Katrina and they're now on a mission to help Sandy victims.

There are more than 100 members aiding in the hardest-hit areas of the East Coast. From Washington D.C. to New Jersey, Rubicon is helping with damage assessments, staffing and emergency operations. The team is also taking plenty of medical supplies.

"We put together these fast moving 8-10 man teams. Initially, we did search and rescue work, debris clearing," said William McNulty, Team Rubicon's co-founder.

Rubicon was started nearly three years ago after the earthquake in Haiti. The majority of the 4,100-member team also lent their services in the days following 9/11 and hail from all branches of the military.

McNulty said the group lets veterans continue to serve after their military service.

As the recovery efforts move forward, Rubicon will help rebuild communities.

"It's extremely rewarding because I can see progress," McNulty said.

"It's nice to see you made a difference. You hear the reports from the field…we not only make a difference with people we're trying to help, but the volunteers and veterans we're putting out in the field," said Andrew Stevens, Rubicon's director of field operations.

If you would like to donate to Team Rubicon, visit their website and click "Donate".

To help victims of Hurricane Sandy, donate to the Red Cross by calling (800) RED-CROSS or text "Red Cross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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