Terri and Sandra Rodriguez are with the Red Cross in El Paso, TX. Sandra became a Red Cross volunteer over three years ago after seeing a recruitment ad for volunteers. She now participates in Disaster Relief Shelter Operations for the Central & South Texas Region and has deployed across the country to help people in need. She assisted after hurricanes in Maine and South Carolina, and with border operations in El Paso. Her favorite deployment memory was from Washington state, where she and her mom opened a shelter together and met some terrific people. She says, “It’s amazing how many people you can meet in one setting and how much of an impact you can make.” Sandra encourages other volunteers to deploy: “It’s a leap of faith that you won’t regret. There are blessings all around.”
Sandra’s mom Terri joined the Red Cross in May 2023 and now fills the role of Shelter Supervisor with the Greater San Antonio Chapter. She’s served on eight different deployments in multiple states. Opening shelters, adapting to rapidly changing needs, and supporting communities through hard moments have shaped her into a strong and steady volunteer leader. Terri says volunteering keeps you busy, help you make friends, and teaches you something new every day. Her advice to new volunteers, “Go with the flow. Don’t have high expectations, relax and have fun. You will be rewarded by people thanking you for your help.” Besides her Red Cross activities, Terri also acts, appearing in movies with George Lopez, Edward James Olmos and Zoe Saldana.
Terri and Sandra have turned volunteering into something bigger than themselves … a shared adventure filled with purpose, travel, learning, and love. They’ve opened shelters side by side, comforted families, and found joy even in long deployments. Their story is a reminder that kindness can change lives. Thank you, Terri and Sandra, for your compassion, energy, and the hope you bring wherever you go.
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