20 Years, 20 Stories – Amy Shoe: It is Really Quite Simple
Amy Shoe has been an active member of TEXSAR for nine years, ever since attending her first two divisional meetings after a friend suggested she look into the organization. Since joining, she has been active in just about everything that TEXSAR does and is now the Assistant Division Leader – Central Texas Division. The secret sauce to her interest and her ongoing commitment is simple.
“A friend told me about TEXSAR. I have volunteered for organizations all my life and TEXSAR sounded great. The first meeting was intimidating at first, with everyone in uniforms, but I quickly felt connected to the people. At the second meeting, TEXSAR’s meteorologist advisor, Troy Kimmel, delivered a fascinating presentation on tornadoes, hurricanes and other weather events that TEXSAR may be involved with. Great people, learning a lot, and everyone’s enthusiasm…I was hooked,” she said.
It makes perfect sense that her advice to people who are interested in TEXSAR is to attend meetings and get to know the people. “Simple. Get to know TEXSAR and you’ll sign up,” she said. Life occurrences can complicate a person’s ability to be active. Amy said some people need to decrease their involvement due to changes in circumstances and sometimes they are hesitant to come back because new people are involved. Her solution to staying committed and connected to TEXSAR throughout life’s changes is simple: Go to the meetings, show up to events. She said the energy and passion that the members have for TEXSAR, its mission and each other helps to carry members through the vagaries of life. “I always felt welcome with TEXSAR people. No matter what was going on, even if it kept me from being able to deploy, I felt part of something special when I went to meetings. I still do.”
Looking back over the many missions that she has served, two stand out in particular: the searches for Jason Landry and Chris Branham. Both were difficult, largely because of understanding the human element of TEXSAR work. “I worked alongside Jason’s family on searches. It made the tasks of the searches less abstract and tactical and clarified the human elements of our work. On another mission, when we were looking for Chris Branham, his father brought a portrait of Chris and his family and set it up by the command center vehicle to remind us of Chris as a person, more than just as a victim. That was hard, but, as volunteers we simply have to compartmentalize those feelings so we can do the best job possible in service to agencies and families.”
“I have been through personal loss with my twin brother when he was 19. I was the person who found him. I have always felt that if I could survive that, I could survive anything. It is not as simple as it sounds, but it is true. I think it also helps me better understand those for whom we serve,” she said.
“I love every member,” Amy said, flashing her engaging smile, “and I want everything to go perfectly for them and for TEXSAR. That’s all. It’s simple.”
Learn more about TEXSAR at www.TEXSAR.org.
TEXSAR: 20 Years, 20 Stories, is a series of people-centric stories that celebrate the history of TEXSAR’s heroics and humanity as its volunteers continue their mission of ‘Texans helping Texans’ with Service above Self. The sequence of stories and profiles will come together in 2024 and 2025, celebrating the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary. To read more, click here.
