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“Who are you?” the man asked.
“Sir, I’m a Pathfinder.”
Approximately 400 children from 11 Pathfinder and Adventure groups in the Carolinas donned their uniforms and hit the streets to raise funds for the Hurricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina.
The hurricane, one of the deadliest to strike the US mainland in the last 50 years made landfall in late September. Entire communities were left in ruin with hundreds dead and some still unaccounted for, presumably buried in the mud. Catastrophic flooding washed houses down rivers and mountains, with the occupants still in them. Downed powerlines and cellphone towers left thousands without power and internet for up to a month.
From mid-October through November, Pathfinders from North and South Carolina armed with prayer, fliers, and cups stood in front of Walmart stores. They circulated through neighborhoods using the old-fashioned Ingathering method with an added QR code for those who weren’t prepared or wanted more information.
When asked why she went and what happened, 11-year-old, Ellie Navarro said, “I wanted to go. It was like, what I was supposed to do. People need help. Almost everyone I talked to were positive. One older couple who was struggling themselves, decided to donate $50.00 to their community.”
Her brother, Jackson, told of a man who wanted more information, “Who are you, the man asked. Are you a Boy Scout?”
“No Sir, I’m a Pathfinder,” Jackson proudly replied.
The man looked thoughtful. “I used to be a Pathfinder too,” he replied pulling out his wallet.
About 10 minutes before they were to leave, Hector Gonzalez, conference director of the Carolina Youth, pulled the children aside to pray. “God,” he said, “please impress one more person to drop a twenty-dollar bill in their cups.”
Just then, the doors opened and a large group exited the store. Several dropped twenties and one dropped fifty dollars into the cups.
“There is no doubt that God answers prayer,” Jackson said.
This fundraising campaign was organized by local and regional Pathfinder and Adventurer Clubs in partnership with ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) and Adventist Community Services (ACS). Both ADRA and ACS are humanitarian non-profit organizations dedicated to emergency response and assisting vulnerable communities in the aftermath of natural disasters. ADRA is the Adventist Church's global humanitarian arm, supporting worldwide communities, whereas ACS is devoted to serving people in North America, including Guam and Micronesia.
Everyone can make a difference during this critical time. Every donation, regardless of size, brings hope and essential resources to families and individuals striving to rebuild their lives.
By Crystal Earnhardt
About Pathfinders: Pathfinders is a faith-based scouting group for children ages 10 to 15 that provides a wide range of activities from crafts to camping. It is a worldwide organization sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, welcoming young people of all backgrounds.
About Adventurers: The Adventurer Club, a global ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, focuses on strengthening parent-child relationships through activities tailored for children aged 4-9.
About ADRA: The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, operating in over 120 countries to provide sustainable development and disaster relief. Learn more at ADRA.org.
About Adventist Community Services (ACS):Adventist Community Services is the outreach ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America and territories including Guam and Micronesia, serving communities with a holistic approach to ministry.
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