06/16/2026
🤝 COMMUNITY UPDATE: Free Cleanup Help Is Coming to Merrillville! 🤝
We have some great news for our residents in the areas impacted by the June 11th tornado — Team Rubicon is coming to Merrillville to help with cleanup and debris removal, and it will not cost you a single penny.
Who is Team Rubicon?
Team Rubicon is a nationally recognized, veteran-led humanitarian organization made up of military veterans and first responders — known as “Greyshirts” — who deploy across the country to help communities recover after disasters. They hold a 4-Star Charity Navigator rating and have responded to hundreds of disasters since their founding in 2010. They are the real deal, and we are proud to have them here.
What to Expect When They Come to Your Door:
Team Rubicon volunteers will be going door-to-door in the damaged areas to ask if you need help with property cleanup. Here is exactly what their visit will look like:
✅ Their services are completely FREE — they will never ask you for payment of any kind.
✅ They will NOT ask for your insurance information — do not give it to them, because they will not need it.
✅ The ONLY thing they will ask you to sign is a standard “Right of Entry” waiver — a simple form that gives their volunteers legal permission to enter your property to perform the cleanup work. That’s it.
How to Spot a Real Team Rubicon Volunteer:
Legitimate Team Rubicon Greyshirts will be clearly identified — look for their grey shirts and official Team Rubicon identification.
⚠️ STAY ALERT — Scammers Are Still Out There
While Team Rubicon is here to help for free, please remember that storm-chaser scammers are also in the area. If anyone comes to your door asking for cash, pressuring you to sign a paid contract, or claiming to be a contractor offering repairs — STOP and verify them first.
Before you sign anything or hand over any money to ANY contractor, call the Town of Merrillville Planning & Building Department at 219-769-3631 to confirm they are licensed to work in our town. If something feels off, trust your gut and make that call.
Together, we will get through this. Welcome to Merrillville, Team Rubicon! 💙
