San Antonio influencer turns 224,000-member gossip group into aid network

A Facebook group originating from a family video call has evolved into a major support network for San Antonio residents. The platform, known as 210 La Chismosa, currently counts more than 224,000 followers. Its creator, Cecilia Chavez, recently explained how her online persona shifted from sharing local rumors to coordinating aid for those in need.

Chavez appeared on Pickup Lines, a digital talk show hosted by KSAT’s Ernie Zuniga, to detail the journey of the group. She noted that the community demands constant attention, a reality she described with the words, "You wake up to it, you go to sleep to it." The group recently focused its efforts on assisting flood victims on San Antonio's Southwest Side.

The digital community started during the global health crisis of 2020. Chavez uploaded a recording of a Zoom meeting where she, her mother, and her aunt exchanged gossip. The clip gained traction quickly, transforming a private family moment into a public hub for conversation. "COVID hit and social media was really big. So I uploaded a Zoom meeting between me, my mom and my aunt and we were all gossiping and it just took off," she recalled.

Chavez’s path to becoming a digital organizer was shaped by early life experiences in San Antonio's South and West sides. She grew up surrounded by strong Latina women and contracted measles as a child, a condition that left her with hearing loss in one ear. Her personal resilience was further tested by a dispute over her son’s high school football eligibility. After an appeal failed, she moved her family to a Native American reservation in Nevada, where her husband had tribal ties. Her sons eventually played football, with one earning a college scholarship.

The group’s mission carries personal weight for Chavez, who lost her son Jose in a motorcycle crash in 2024. She stated that helping others through the platform provided a renewed sense of purpose. "It filled a void. It did. It definitely did," she said. "I want to help. I want to be there for people."

Chavez maintains control over the group’s direction, often declining sponsorship offers to preserve her independence. She currently aims to open a community resource center to further support local residents. Zuniga launched Pickup Lines as a vehicle-based interview show featuring guests from various backgrounds, including executives and everyday citizens sharing their stories.