By Randy Ogden  for the American Red Cross

American Red Cross volunteer Sofia Theard was born in São Paulo, Brazil and moved to the United States when she was 18, studying French language and literature in Houston before working in landscaping.

It has been 50 years since that move over the equator. Last year, after witnessing the devastation of the South Fork and Salt fires in her community, she noticed a remarkable new structure quickly rising between a local school and a beloved dog park, and asked if there was any way she could help. Turns out it was the American Red Cross setting up a shelter for the affected community, and as they say… the rest is history.

“I had no experience but could speak a few languages and became an event-based volunteer,” said Theard. “In a few simple steps, I signed up online and became part of the effort to regain normalcy in what was a very difficult time for our community. I discovered that shelter residents could sit together, eat communally, and share the experience of loss and uncertainty, and that in the sharing a measure of normalcy was restored. No one was alone; we were all in this together.”

Ruidoso, NM is a resilient community. It is a small village nestled in the Lincoln National Forest where the air is fresh with the smell of pines, and tourists from far and near find respite from the summer heat and adventure on the ski slopes of the Sierra Blanca. Tourism is a vital part of the local economy and tourists are welcomed year round.

“As I watched how the American Red Cross received everyone in their time of need, it served as inspiration. I wanted to be a part of this group of volunteers who offered help no matter where you came from or what your situation had been before the disaster.  They fed you, they housed you and offered a caring camaraderie to slowly bring you to the other side of such a difficult experience. I had to be a part of that and have been ever since.”

When flooding hit on July 8, Sofia knew the Red Cross would be needed more than ever. Rather than staying at the shelter to greet survivors, she went out into the community, delivering cleanup supplies directly to those facing the aftermath.

“It was heartbreaking to witness—but the moment someone sees that big red Cross on the van, you can see the relief in their face. It’s a sign they haven’t been forgotten. It means help has arrived,” said Theard.

Sofia knows it will be a long journey ahead for her community, but feels confident that, with the resources not only from the Red Cross but other partner agencies, the community can come out stronger.

The Red Cross is always in need of volunteers. If you are interested in learning how you can get involved, please go to redcross.org to learn more.