When Disaster Strikes: How AG & AG Members Can Help

The recent catastrophic flooding in Texas has shaken families and communities to their core. Lives lost, homes swept away, and the path to recovery will be long. While this piece was inspired by that specific tragedy, the strategies and support outlined here are relevant to any natural or community disaster. Whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane, power grid failure, or local crisis, the question remains the same: How can we help responsibly, compassionately, and effectively?

As members of A Girl & A Gun, we train to be steady under pressure. We prepare not just for personal emergencies, but also to lead and serve others when the unexpected strikes. Now is the time to act on those values with clarity and care.

Lead with Presence, Not Panic

In the aftermath of any disaster, emotions run high. Survivors may be navigating trauma, grief, or disorientation. And while you may not be a therapist, your presence can still bring calm to chaos.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a widely used and respected approach to providing immediate emotional support. It’s not therapy. It’s being a human being who can listen, offer reassurance, and help someone take their next right step.

Start by listening more than you speak. Offer water, a meal, or a quiet place to sit. Let survivors share if they wish to, and allow silence if they prefer not to. The PFA Field Guide is a phenomenal tool to read and share. I recommend it to anyone stepping into a support role.

Vet Before You Give

The urge to help often comes quickly, but the best help comes with thoughtful direction. In the chaos of disaster zones, unvetted donations and services can cause more harm than good.

Before sending supplies or money, take a moment to verify the organization’s credibility. Use platforms like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to check how funds are managed and where resources are directed.

Local organizations and regional nonprofits are often the most effective responders. They’re embedded in the community, they know the terrain, and they’ll be there long after the headlines fade. Texas VOAD is an excellent resource for finding credible, vetted partners across the state.

When in doubt, follow specific requests. If a food bank says they need diapers, send diapers, not last season’s jackets or canned peas. Matching need with action is where we shine.

Share Facts, Not Fear

One of the most powerful things we can do in a crisis is to amplify accurate information. Misinformation, especially on social media, spreads fast and fuels confusion. Stick to updates from trusted sources: local emergency management, verified nonprofits, or official relief agencies. If you’re sharing, make sure your information is current, relevant, and helpful. As trained shooters, we value clear, direct communication. Apply that same discipline here. Help quiet the noise and create space for real solutions.

Support Those Doing the Hardest Work

From fire departments to linemen, EMTs to shelter volunteers, the people responding on the front lines are giving everything they have. These folks often operate on little sleep, minimal resources, and sheer determination. A delivered lunch. A case of water. A handwritten note. These gestures might seem small, but for someone who has been running nonstop for days, they can be a lifesaver. If you’re not local, consider donating to relief funds explicitly designated for responder support. They are often overlooked and carry a heavy emotional burden.

Stay Connected to Your Sisters

Community matters more than ever in times of crisis. Reach out to fellow A Girl & A Gun members. Check in on instructors, ranges, and women in affected areas. Even if you can’t offer hands-on help, you can offer your voice, your support, and your presence.

One text. One call. One coffee was dropped off on a doorstep. It all adds up. Our league is built on meaningful connections. Let’s keep showing up for one another, especially when things are at their hardest.

This Is What We Train For

Preparedness isn’t just about personal defense. It’s about being ready to lead, ready to comfort, and ready to serve. You don’t have to do it all. But you can do something. Whether that’s donating wisely, checking on a neighbor, sharing accurate resources, or simply holding space for someone who’s hurting, you’re making a difference.

These are the moments when we prove what our training has always been about: confidence, capability, and compassion. When the world feels uncertain, be someone others can rely on.

Resources to Guide Your Support

• Psychological First Aid Guide – NCTSN
• Texas VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)
• Charity Navigator
• Feeding Texas – Supports statewide food banks and hunger relief

Read More by A Girl & A Gun

• Stop the Bleed: Medical Training That Saves Lives
• Image Based Decisional Drills
• Your Family Preparedness Plan
• Aware and Prepared
• Preparing for Worse Than Bad
• When Disaster Strikes — And You’re Unarmed
• Hurricane Harvey in My Backyard

Personal Connections

A note from A Girl & A Gun President & CEO Robyn Sandoval:

This past week has been deeply personal for me. I spent 10 formative summers as a child and teenager along the banks of the Guadalupe River at Heart O’ the Hills, a girls’ camp located just downriver from Camp Mystic. On many evenings, we could hear Mystic’s cheers and chants echoing through the hills, just as they surely heard ours.

In 1987, I was there during a tragic flood that claimed the lives of children further downriver. We evacuated in the middle of the night, and I will never forget how quickly the river rose and its power and destruction. That region has experienced many floods over the past century, but nothing compares to the magnitude of this most recent tragedy. Entire buildings have been swept away. Majestic cypress and oak trees that stood for generations are gone. And heartbreakingly, some of the community’s most cherished individuals have been lost.

Among them was Jane Ragsdale, a beloved mentor, leader, and friend. Jane impacted the lives of thousands of young women over the decades, myself included. She led with strength, compassion, and an unwavering sense of purpose. She embodied courage, humility, generosity, and joy. I can still picture her with her guitar, bringing us together by playing songs that lifted our spirits, strengthened our faith, united our community, and gave us permission to simply laugh and be silly.

The lessons I learned from Jane over the past 40 years have helped shape the woman I am today, as a mother, a CEO, and a person. Jane and I spoke about faith, leadership, my children, and my work with A Girl & A Gun. Her legacy lives on in all of us who were lucky enough to know her, and I carry her wisdom with me every day.

Jane’s son and his family, camp staff, and dear friends I’ve known for decades all live in the area and are facing immense loss. A GoFundMe has been created to support them directly, along with local families affected by this tragedy. If you feel it in your heart to give, you can donate here: GoFundMe link

Thank you for keeping this community in your thoughts and prayers.