#220: Pro Kayaker Helping With Hurricane Helene Relief, Using Skills & Faith in NC

Run The Race

As Hurricane Milton heads straight for Florida, and we pray for the people in its path, our guests on the podcast this week is a family that took a trip from East Alabama up to Western North Carolina to use God's love and kayaking...to help with search and rescue, meeting basic needs like food, and more in the wake of the devastation from Hurricane Helene. Subscribe to "Run the Race" for inspiring stories of faith and fitness. (5:13) That includes a world class kayaker who turned pro at age 15. Now 21 years old, Mason Hargrove talks about what he and a few others are doing in kayaks, going to hard-to-reach places to find survivors from Helene and bring things they can for storm relief. He's got some amazing stories! And the missions in his second home of the NC mountains will only continue. (16:13) Mason also talks about the mental fatigue that can happen for volunteers, first responders. He's also using his passion for kayaking to help others in distress, teach the sport too, and dispel misconceptions about kayakers. (23:58) Back in Columbus GA, this young pro kayaker and his family also help active duty military and veterans get on the water for free, teaching them kayaking through the nonprofit Team River Runner. He talks about how the water can be therapeutic for anyone. The 3 time Team USA competitor was in the world championships in his hometown, and will continue competing in the future, as he hopes things will get better and better in NC. You can learn more about their Hargrove Adventures at https://www.instagram.com/hargroveadventures/. (36:00) His mom Melissa Hargrove is also helping in storm ravaged West NC and East TN, from delivering food to teaching camping...to just giving love as the hands and feet of Jesus. (50:31) She is also the Fort Moore Columbus chapter coordinator for Team River Runner: https://www.teamriverrunner.org/get-involved/chapters/columbus. She talks about what they do to help the military and others find community and confidence, while learning how to kayak. And I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.