Press and media

The facts, the coverage and the photos.

For reporters, partners and anyone writing about AVERT. Every fact here links to where it comes from.

Fact sheet

AVERT at a glance.

Name: AVERT, the American Volunteer Emergency Response TeamPlease spell out the full name on first mention.
Home base: Fort Smith, Arkansas. Deploys wherever disaster hits.
What it is: An all volunteer disaster relief team, funded by donations, that carries donated supplies into disaster areas and works alongside first responders and other charities. About AVERT
Organizer: Michael Brewer. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, 2023, for 4,480 hours of volunteer service; Kentucky Colonel and Arkansas Traveler, 2022. See the documents
Deployments: Texas and Florida, 2017 (Harvey and Irma). Puerto Rico, 2017 (Maria): medical and support volunteers delivered aid to over 400 families, according to a letter from Senator Mark R. Warner. The Carolinas, 2018 (Florence), according to a letter from Congressman Darren Soto. The Bahamas, 2019 (Dorian): triage and medical aid on Abaco with Florida Search and Rescue, supply runs and search missions, covered by WUSA9, CBS12 and the Daily Commercial. Puerto Rico in 2017 was covered by American Thinker and the Daily Commercial. Field record
How it works: Ask first, then deliver. Every load is matched to a request from the people on the ground. Read the charter
Now: Relaunching in 2026 with an advisory board, regional distribution centers and a development team. Open roles
Giving: Online gifts go to AVERT’s GoFundMe, organized by Michael Brewer since September 5, 2017. Gifts are not tax deductible.
Contact: Michael Brewer, mike@tornbergllc.com, or send a media request. AVERT on Facebook.

In the news

Coverage of AVERT.

WUSA9, October 4, 2019Virginia veteran works to make sure all donations reach those in need in Bahamas, unlike in Puerto Rico
Michael Brewer on the lesson from Puerto Rico, where supplies sat at the airport, and how the team ran daily needs checks and supply runs in the Bahamas.
CBS12, September 22, 2019Local volunteers help Canadian government locate missing man in Bahamas
Michael Brewer and Dr. Gwen DeLeon, on search and rescue missions with AVERT after Hurricane Dorian, find a missing Canadian man on Treasure Cay.
FireRescue1, from the Daily Commercial, September 20, 2019Fla. Firefighter EMT returns from Bahamas, says it’s “like a war zone”
Tony Rosado on the Florida team’s work on Abaco: triage, medical aid, search and rescue, and a clinic that got patients airlifted to Nassau.
Daily Commercial, September 6, 2019Mascotte man heads to Bahamas to aid with relief efforts
Tony Rosado and four other members of AVERT’s Florida team accept deployment to the Bahamas by Florida Search and Rescue, coordinated with Michael Brewer.
American Thinker, October 5, 2017Hurricane Maria: What I Saw on Puerto Rico
A first hand account from Ponce that quotes Michael Brewer of AVERT on the people cut off from food, water and supplies after the storm.
Daily Commercial, October 4, 2017“Grateful for any help”
Tony Rosado, born in Puerto Rico, on what he saw helping people there after Hurricane Maria.

Media kit

Logo and photos.

Field photos were taken by AVERT volunteers. To publish one, send a request through the contact form so we can confirm the credit line.

The AVERT logoPNG, 1200 by 1200 pixels, white backgroundDownload
Michael Brewer, organizerJPG portrait, the Bahamas, 2019Download
After Hurricane DorianJPG, the Bahamas, 2019Download
Search and rescue teamJPG, the Bahamas, 2019Download
The crew and the supply trailerJPGDownload