The young men and women of the Pathfinders, a co-ed club similar to the Boy Scouts, work to earn badges by dong things as camping, wilderness survival, archery and community service. Sunday they toiled in the hot sun, doing some yard work for an elderly gentleman on Daily Street.
Equan Maloney, 10, said he’s been a member of the church for about a month, and while the yard-work might be hard, he said it is worth it.
“It’s fun though. Being with this church is an experience to God,” said Maloney. Maloney was busy wrestling with a large patch of overgrown weeds which at first seemed to be getting the best of him, but he turned the tide soon enough.
“Right now I’m just handling it. I’m doing my best,” said Maloney. “We’re trying to do as much as we can to help this guy.”
Piedmont Church Elder and Lay Pastor Mike Duman said it’s important for the kids to do work like this.
“It’s more than a civic duty. It’s a Christian duty. Part of the church is to reach out and help others,” said Mike. “For our children it’s really important because it teaches them to be good citizens and be part of the community and help out those that maybe can’t help themselves.”
Pathfinder Leader Tracy Duman said the kids enjoy doing their part, and complaining just isn’t something they tend to do much of. She and her fellow Pathfinder leaders help guide the youth as they learn to cook, carve and tie rope, all while learning just what it means to be a citizen and a Christian in the world.
“One of the boys here said ‘My arms are Jell-O’ and I said let me relieve you, and he said ‘No. I like the responsibility,” said Tracy.
After working for several hours on the Daily Street yard, the crew packed up for a quick lunch before heading to Gadsden to clean the yard of another person who is unable to do so themselves.
They have to do so many hours of community service to earn their badges.
Tim Oldham, Lanae Henegar, David Hamilton, Tara Johnson, Jonathon
Duman, Mike Duman, Equon Maloney, Ethan Patty, Tracy Duman, Marcia
Patty, Devin Patty, Alex Skaggs.
Young boy is Ethan Patty.
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