By Anabella Ramirez, American Red Cross

Edited By Michael A Brown, American Red Cross

At the American Red Cross chapter in San Antonio, the work that keeps the mission moving forward doesn’t always happen in the spotlight, and that’s perfectly OK by Toetu Sagia. As the Coordinator of Business Operations, he serves as the regional fleet coordinator and the primary point of contact for the San Antonio chapter. His days are filled with coordinating vehicles and ensuring that every moving piece functions efficiently. It’s the kind of work people may never see, but without it, the mission simply wouldn’t happen.

Now, his daughter Letricia is beginning to understand that same rhythm of service. She is a junior at Harlan High School and is already setting an ambitious academic path for herself. She has shown strong interests in both the medical field and astrophysics and has been taking college courses since her sophomore year. Beyond her education, she has been searching for real-world experience to prepare herself for the future. That’s what led her to the Red Cross, and more specifically, to work alongside her father.

As a volunteer, Letricia contributes to the organization in ways that reflect her strengths. Like her father, she works with data, helping calculate and organize fleet information. She comes to the chapter office Tuesdays through Thursdays and occasionally on weekends to build her hours for school while gaining valuable professional experience.

For dad Toetu, having Letricia at the Red Cross isn’t just about giving her something to do, but is about giving her something to grow from. Having served 24 years in the Air Force, Toetu’s understanding of leadership and mentorship runs deep. He recognizes that the person he is today was shaped not only by his family, but by the experiences he encountered along the way. That perspective now shapes how he approaches fatherhood. Toetu believes in a growth mindset, learning from every opportunity, and exposing his children to environments where they can gain wisdom beyond what he alone can provide.

That’s why Toetu encouraged Letricia to volunteer. He wanted her to see the Red Cross mission from every angle … not just operations, but the many lines of service that come together to make the Red Cross mission possible. Equally important, he wanted her to learn from others. “I take every piece of advice, even bad advice, and try to apply that to my kids,” Toetu explains. “Because here, Letricia won’t just be learning from me, but from everyone.”

Working together has created a dynamic of fatherhood with mentorship and professional collaboration. At work, Toetu isn’t just her dad, but also is an example of leadership in action. Letricia gets to see firsthand what it means to support an organization through dedication, teamwork, and quiet, consistent effort.

Letricia brings her own energy into the environment and has quickly adapted to the expectations of the workplace, finding that working with numbers comes naturally to her. She also enjoys meeting with people and making new connections. These experiences are helping shape her future, as she plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) after she graduates high school to continue exploring her interests in both science and service.

Together, Toetu and Letricia represent more than just a father and daughter working in the same place. They represent the passing of values from one generation to the next and the continuation of service, mentorship, and growth. While Toetu ensures that the mission succeeds behind the scenes, Letricia is beginning her own journey, learning not just what it means to do the work, but why it matters.

For Toetu and Letricia, their time at the Red Cross is more than shared experience; it’s a shared legacy in the making!