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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.
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities during and after disasters.
Not only do they help with clean up after tornado events such as this, but they also take part in re mitigation and other natural disasters such as hurricanes.
A majority of the damage from the 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.
“We have di erent levels of training, like formal training that we go through,” said Fox.
Fox said that some of the trees in the area are out of their scope and they encourage homeowners to hire a professional to nish up the rest after Team Rubicon has done all they can do.
“ ey’re just a dedicated group of volunteers who are committed to helping residents,” said Douglas County Commissioner Lora omas. “ ere are some of our residents 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 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.
“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.
Highlands Ranch mom debuts on ‘American Ninja Warrior’
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Local Highlands Ranch mom, Angela Fuller made her debut on the “American Ninja Warrior” stage in the fourth episode of season 15.
e 42-year-old married mom of two was once a competitive gymnast and cheerleader but after su ering a broken back in a car accident and further injury, Fuller thought her active life was over after being put on disability.
Fuller once again fell in love with gymnastics and through her kids, fell in love with the ninja lifestyle over the past few years.
After four years of applying to compete on the NBC show, Fuller called herself the happy dance ninja and was excited to run the course. Host Matt Iseman said there was no one more excited to run the course than her.
Wearing her Faith over Fear shirts, Fuller’s family and her best friend were standing behind the fth obstacle course, cheering her on.
“I was so happy because my dream came true,” said Fuller. “To get on that stage and have my best friend there, my hero and my family — I won.” e course started with the pole vault. Each ninja had to jump onto the pole and climb to the top as it was being lowered. e goal was to make it to the landing before reaching the water.
Taking the stage at 2:30 a.m. in freezing temperatures, Fuller was ready to run the brand new qualifying course.
“It was an obstacle that once it got wet, it couldn’t be dried,” said Fuller.
Although Fuller did not make it past the pole vault, she is still grateful for the experience.
In a social media post Angela wrote: “We are all on di erent journeys and everyone’s accomplishments should be celebrated. So the fact ANW still decided to include my short run and big smiling face on my episode is such an honor.”
Fuller said she realized that she is inspiring more people by not hitting the buzzer because it’s more relatable as only a few people hit the buzzer on the latest episode.
When thinking about competing on another season, Fuller said she will never say never. However, the most important part of this experience was making it onto the stage.
“I won by being there,” said Fuller.
