San Antonio Facebook Group Uses 224,000 Members to Assist Flood Victims

Cecilia Chavez is coordinating aid for flood victims on San Antonio's Southwest Side through a Facebook group she founded. The platform, known as 210 La Chismosa, has grown to more than 224,000 followers. Chavez recently discussed the group's expansion on Pickup Lines, a digital talk show hosted by KSAT's Ernie Zuniga.

The online community originated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chavez uploaded a video of a Zoom call featuring herself, her mother, and her aunt discussing local news. The clip gained rapid traction, transforming a private family conversation into a public forum. Chavez noted that the group now requires constant management, stating, "You wake up to it, you go to sleep to it."

Chavez grew up on San Antonio's South and West sides. She described an upbringing centered around strong Latina women. A childhood case of measles left her with hearing loss in one ear. Her personal history also includes a move to a Native American reservation in Nevada. This relocation occurred after a dispute over her son's high school football eligibility. Her sons eventually played the sport, and one earned a college scholarship.

The group's shift toward community support deepened following a personal tragedy. Chavez's son, Jose, died in a motorcycle crash in 2024. She credits the online platform with helping her find a new sense of purpose. "It filled a void. It did. It definitely did," Chavez said. She added, "I want to help. I want to be there for people."

The network recently directed resources to residents affected by flooding in the city's Southwest Side. Chavez aims to use the group's reach to open a community resource center. She maintains control over the platform's direction, often declining sponsorship offers to preserve her independence.

Zuniga started Pickup Lines as a talk show recorded from his vehicle. The program features guests including executives, small business owners, and community figures. Chavez appeared as a guest to detail how a space for sharing information evolved into a tool for direct assistance.

The group's size allows it to disseminate information quickly to a large portion of the San Antonio population. Chavez views the exchange of details, or chisme, as a mechanism for organizing collective response to local crises.