This week’s CSTR Volunteer Spotlight shines on Sharon Meinders of the Heart of Texas Chapter.

Sharon has been a proud Red Cross volunteer for just one year, but her connection to our mission began long before she ever put on a vest. Since joining our region in 2024, she has taken on disaster response roles because, as she says, “the Red Cross helped me and my family when I was young.”

On her ninth birthday, Sharon and her family evacuated from the Gulf Coast during Hurricane Ivan and found safety in a Red Cross shelter. “I remember the Red Cross made a birthday cake for me during the hurricane,” she recalls with a smile. “We all celebrated.” Her family later received assistance again after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans—experiences that stayed with her.

Today, Sharon gives back as a Disaster Action Team volunteer and duty officer, supporting families facing emergencies of their own. “My first disaster response was a house fire,” she says. “I remember all the hugs and smiles we got.”

Beyond her volunteer service, Sharon is a wife, mother, and Navy veteran—roles that reflect her lifelong commitment to serving others.

Thank you, Sharon, for your compassion, your dedication, and the heart you bring to the Red Cross mission.