'Team Rubicon' Headed To Philippines To Help Victims

EL SEGUNDO (CBSLA.com) — -A group known as Team Rubicon  started as an idea by two former Marines who wanted to help with relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti in January 2010.

The group is now 8,000 strong (many former veterans) and as Rachel Kim reports for KCAL9, growing stronger every day. (Their Facebook page has 53,558 likes.)

Jake Wood is co-founder and CEO of the group, a former Marine, he started "Team Rubicon" with fellow Marine William McNulty.

Kim spoke with Matt Pelak, a "Team Rubicon" member who was ready to deploy for the eight-day mission.

"We have to plan for the worst," said Pelak.

Pelak and about 14 others group are headed to the typhoon-assailed Philippines for "Operation: Seabird" -- what the group describes as a "strike team to conduct a medical search and rescue mission."

And they know time is of the essence.

"We're all very physical, all very capable and very motivated," said Pelak. "It's what we do best -- get into the areas others can't get in to."

The group's goal? $20,000 and they're almost half-way there in a day. They will send about 15 people to the Philippines ASAP. They are organizing to send another team next weekend.

From the group's mission statement, they ask if they are a disaster relief organization? A veteran-focused enterprise? "The truth is, [we're] both."

To find out how to join "Team Rubicon" or help in their fundraising efforts, click here.