Seventh-day Adventists in Costa Rica last month partnered with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency to served in the city of Heredia to distribute food to the homeless, showcase a health expo and promote a recycling campaign.

The event, titled “ADRAthon,” took place in Heredia’s Central Park and brought young people to connect with onlookers and passers-by with a hug, a cheer and activities such as face painting for children.

The August 24 initiative was part of promoting ADRA’s work in the community and the agency’s interest in the welfare of people globally, said Julio Alfaro, ADRA Costa Rica director.

“We are excited to hold this first ADRAthon campaign here in Heredia because we want to let the public learn more about how ADRA is the social arm of the Church,” Alfaro said. “We praise God for the support of the church members.”

More than 80 young people from Adventist churches in the northern and central regions and the Central American Adventist University joined in the day’s activities on August 24. The event promoted healthful living under the Church’s “I Want to Live Healthy” banner, which features the eight natural remedies.

Earnal Scott, Youth Ministries director for the Adventist Church’s South Central America Union, which is comprised of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama, said the activity is one of several health initiatives that that youth will promote throughout the region.

“We are very proud of our faithful young people and we want the rest of the provinces in Costa Rica to be ready because we are moving forward with this youth impact,” Scott said.

Municipality officials were present during the activity and the event was covered through radio and television media.