Serving is not an extra in a Pathfinder's life: it is one of the pillars. And there is a place where this desire to help finds structure, experience and worldwide reach — ADRA.
You may have already seen ADRA's brand on a donation, at a flood site or in a food drive. But what exactly is it? And how can your club take part without getting lost in disorganized good intentions?
This guide explains directly what ADRA is, why it fits so well with the spirit of the club, and the concrete ways for your group to roll up its sleeves.
What is ADRA?
ADRA stands for Adventist Development and Relief Agency. It is the humanitarian organization run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with the mission of serving people in situations of vulnerability — of any religion, color or background.
The story begins before the current name. The church's first organized relief initiatives emerged in 1956, under the acronym SAWS. In 1983, the organization was renamed ADRA, taking on broader development work, not just immediate relief.
In Brazil, ADRA has been active since 1984 and today is organized into 18 regional offices that serve every Brazilian state, with community projects and humanitarian assistance actions spread across the country.
Its reach is global: ADRA is present in more than 110 countries. In other words, when your club helps ADRA, it connects to a network that works from the neighborhood to the other side of the planet.
Why does a Pathfinder Club get involved?
Serving is part of a Pathfinder's DNA. It is in the ideals, in the pledge and in the law — and it comes to life when the club leaves the room and goes to those in need. ADRA offers a safe and structured way to turn this value into real action.
The Bible is clear about where God places the focus. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says: "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (NIV). And James defines the essence of faith: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27, NIV).
Getting the club involved with ADRA also teaches. The Pathfinder learns that helping requires planning, respect and consistency — it is not just a nice gesture for a photo. It is the same discipline they train in an honor or at a camp, now in the service of others.
If your club already does community service, ADRA can be the bridge that expands that effort and connects it to larger projects.
Ways to take part
There is no single "right" way to help. Participation varies with the age of the members, the size of the club and the needs of your area. The idea is to start small and grow with consistency.
Here are some common ways and the club's role in each:
| Type of action | What the club does | Practical example |
|---|---|---|
| Collections | Gathers and organizes items | Food drive or winter clothing drive |
| Campaigns | Publicizes and mobilizes the community | Promoting an ADRA collection at church and in the neighborhood |
| Local projects | Carries out an ongoing action | Visits to a nursing home, cleanup effort, community garden |
| Emergency support | Helps behind the scenes (adults) | Sorting and separating donations after a flood |
Notice the pattern: the club almost always steps in on organization, mobilization and support. The clearer each person's role, the more effective — and safe — the result becomes.
Read alsoBreaking the Silence and the Pathfinder clubHow to organize an action step by step
1. Bring the idea to the leadership. Before anything else, talk to the director and the counselors. The action needs to fit the club's calendar and have designated responsible adults.
2. Reach out to the ADRA regional office. Since there are 18 regional offices in Brazil, there is one that covers your state. It advises what the priority is at that moment and how the club can contribute without duplicating efforts or getting in the way.
3. Set a goal, deadline and collection points. "Let's help" is not a plan. "Let's collect 200 kg of food in three weeks, with two collection points" is. Concrete goals mobilize more people.
4. Publicize and carry it out with organization. Agree on who handles publicity, who receives, who sorts and who delivers. Record everything simply and transparently.
5. Give thanks and evaluate. At the end, recognize everyone who took part and talk about what worked and what to improve. This turns an isolated action into a club habit.
Volunteering in emergencies and disasters
ADRA is known for responding to floods, droughts and other disasters. It is natural for the club to want to help in those moments — but here the care needs to be doubled.
In a real emergency, field work is led by trained teams and adults. The club's most common role is support behind the scenes: collecting, sorting, cleaning and separating donations in a safe location, away from the risk area.
Never move children and teenagers to a disaster zone. Going on your own, without coordination, usually hinders more than it helps. The right path is always to ask the ADRA regional office what is truly needed at that moment.
Donating money to an official ADRA campaign often helps more than sending objects, because the agency buys what is missing, where it is missing. Always confirm the official channels before handing over any resources.
Serving with dignity and purpose
Helping well starts with attitude. The person receiving help is not a poor soul or a backdrop for a photo: they are a person with a story, a name and dignity. The Pathfinder serves looking into the eyes, with respect and without embarrassing anyone.
Motivation matters too. Proverbs 19:17 reminds us: "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done" (NIV). And Paul sums up the rhythm of service: "let us do good to all people" (Galatians 6:10, NIV). Good is done out of love, not obligation or appearance.
Real service is constant. A one-off collection helps, but a club that adopts a missionary project throughout the year leaves a mark — on the community and on the formation of each member.
In the end, that is what ADRA and the club have in common: they believe that faith without action is incomplete, and that serving is the most concrete way to love your neighbor.
Precautions, minors and safety
Every action with Pathfinders involves minors, so safety comes before impact. No improvising: the club leadership approves, and there are always responsible adults accompanying.
Children and teenagers take part in age-appropriate tasks — organizing, sorting, publicizing — and never in risky environments. Travel requires authorization from guardians and safe transportation.
Be careful with images and data too. When documenting an action, avoid exposing the face of the person being helped without consent, and do not turn someone else's need into a spectacle. Serving preserves everyone's dignity, including on social media.
When in doubt, the rule is simple: confirm with the club leadership and the ADRA regional office before acting. Good intentions poorly coordinated can cause problems — organization is part of the care.