For Carla and Jean Paul Signoret, volunteering with the American Red Cross is more than a way to give back. It is an extension of who they are, their values, their culture and their commitment to helping others. As a married couple, bilingual volunteers and proud members of the Latino community, they embody this year's Hispanic Heritage Month theme: Comunidad en Acción.

Together, they serve in multiple volunteer roles, from disaster response and community outreach to bilingual spokesperson activities and blood donor advocacy. Their story demonstrates the power of community, family and collective action.

Carla's Red Cross journey began in Chicago when she participated in a Sound the Alarm event in La Villita, a predominantly Latino neighborhood. Working in the insurance industry, she understood the devastating impact home fires can have on families and was inspired by the opportunity to help residents better understand fire safety, preparedness, and recovery resources. That first experience opened the door to a deeper connection with the Red Cross mission.

When the couple later moved to Fort Worth, Carla had shared her experience with Jean Paul. Inspired to become involved, he discovered that Disaster Action Teams often operate in pairs, making volunteering together a natural fit. They trained side by side and soon became a Disaster Action Team, providing comfort and support to families facing some of their most challenging moments.

Their shared commitment to service has only grown stronger over time.

Today, Carla and Jean Paul serve in a variety of volunteer roles that allow them to connect with communities in meaningful ways. For Carla, one of her greatest passions is engaging Latino communities around blood donation. She recognizes that language barriers and misconceptions about blood donation can prevent people from participating.

"I want to connect with people who look and sound like me and help build trust," Carla says. "I want to encourage Latinos to learn more about why donating blood matters, how easy it is and how impactful it can be."

She notes that nearly half of Hispanics and Latinos have type O blood, one of the most needed blood types during emergencies and trauma situations. Increasing participation from Hispanic donors can help strengthen the nation's blood supply and ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood products they need.

As bilingual spokespersons, Carla and Jean Paul are also helping extend the reach of Red Cross messages in Spanish and ensuring Hispanic communities receive culturally relevant information about preparedness, recovery and humanitarian services. As immigrants and bilingual communicators, they understand firsthand the importance of connecting with people in their preferred language.

For Jean Paul, communication is an essential part of service.

"It motivates me to know that I can help people directly through disaster response and indirectly by sharing information that helps keep entire communities safe," he says. "Information saves lives.”

Their volunteer work has also strengthened their bond as a couple. Whether responding to disasters, participating in spokesperson training, supporting blood donation campaigns or preparing for media interviews, they approach each opportunity as a team. They practice together, learn together and celebrate each other's successes.

"Serving together has come naturally," Jean Paul says. "We complement each other well. Working together is not only enjoyable but also a better way of tackling a task."

Some of their most meaningful experiences have come from seeing the direct impact of community action. Carla recalls organizing her first blood drive and watching coworkers overcome their fears to donate for the first time. Jean Paul remembers helping build relationships with community organizations, including the Mexican Consulate in Dallas, a partnership that proved critical in helping hundreds of families following a devastating apartment fire.

Their dedication to service is deeply rooted in their Mexican heritage.

Carla says growing up, she witnessed stories of the Mexican Red Cross responding to major disasters and learned the importance of helping others in times of need. Jean Paul agrees, noting that throughout Mexico's history, communities have repeatedly come together during earthquakes, hurricanes and other tragedies.

"When something happens, people put aside their differences and become one to help each other," Jean Paul says. "I feel that as a Mexican, I honor my culture by helping others."

That spirit of unity is exactly what Comunidad en Acción is all about.

For Carla, the theme reflects the idea that meaningful change happens when people come together around a common purpose.

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," she says quoting a famous proverb. "Each individual who engages with the Red Cross contributes to a positive snowball effect. We all play a part in making this a bigger movement."

"All of us, working together, can reach any goal we set to accomplish," says Jean Paul.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, Carla and Jean Paul hope others will find their own way to get involved, whether by volunteering, donating blood, supporting disaster relief efforts or sharing Red Cross information within their communities. They believe meaningful change begins when people take that first step and discover how their unique talents and experiences can help others.

And that is the true meaning of Comunidad en Acción: individuals, families and communities coming together to create a lasting impact, one act of service at a time.