Contributed
Contributed
Contributed
“Who are you?” the man asked.
“Sir, I’m a Pathfinder.”
Approximately 400 children from 11 Pathfinder and Adventurer 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 U.S. 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 one 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 was positive. One older couple who was struggling themselves, decided to donate $50 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, Carolina Conference youth director, pulled the children aside to pray. “God,” he said, “please impress one more person to drop a $20 bill in their cups.”
Just then, the doors opened and a large group exited the store. Several dropped $20s and one dropped $50 into the cups.
“There is no doubt that God answers prayer,” said Jackson.
This fundraising campaign was organized by local and regional Pathfinder and Adventurer Clubs in partnership with Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) 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 critical times. Every donation, regardless of size, brings hope and essential resources to families and individuals striving to rebuild their lives.
Carolina | April 2025
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