NORTHAMPTON — Adam Gagne, once an Eagle Scout troop leader who impacted the lives of hundreds of Northampton area scouts, is being returned the favor by many of his former scouts who are embarking on yet another community service project — but this time, to help their former troop leader.

David Jeffway has never felt the weight of having someone’s life in his hands until last January when Gagne, 53, reached out and asked: “Is there anything you can do to get me a kidney?”

“To have someone ask you to help you find a kidney — I didn’t know what to do” said Jeffway.

But after that correspondence it was all hands on deck for Jeffway, who set out to organize with former scouts, including his own two brothers Rob and Nick, who all received the rank of Eagle Scout under Gagne.

“I was busy in my life. But I decided whether it was longer mornings or late nights, it didn’t matter,” he said, referring to his mission to find a way to fund Gagne’s journey through kidney failure.

The group answered that “what to do” question, and has organized a walk and raffle at Look Park this Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to raise money for Gagne in conjunction with a GoFundMe that has been put together. The goal is to reach $15,000 by Sunday to help Gagne, who has been undergoing dialysis and will be unable to attend.

Since 2019, Gagne’s diabetes began to take a toll on his body, and repeated dialysis treatments wore him down to the point of needing a kidney. He has been on the list for kidney donations for a year or two, and is still waiting for a compatible donation.

About a year ago, Jeffway ran into Gagne at Stop & Shop, where Gagne works — one of two jobs Gagne was holding down at the time to make ends meet for his 13-year-old son, Joseph, and wife of 16 years, Claudette.

A “how are you” from Jeffway was returned with, “Not too well,” from Gagne.

“He was noticeably weak,” said Jeffway, who had only seen Gagne a few times since he was a Boy Scout a decade ago.

Jeffway remembered his mentor for his community service and commitment to others, rugged outdoorsmanship, camping, hiking, softball, and a love of bowling. But now his childhood hero was visibly weaker.

Sunday’s event will be catered by Jake’s Northampton, which is co-owned by Chris Ware and Alexander Washut, who were both Eagle Scouts under Gagne’s leadership. Steps & Sound will provide music for the walk.

“We had lost touch over the years as you do,” said Ware this week. “But when I caught wind of his illness I just felt bad.”

Looking back, beginning at the age of 13, Ware remembers trips to the movies, hiking, and being outside.

“It was just a great experience,” he said. “This is the least we can do to help out.”

Stop & Shop in Northampton, where Gagne worked, is contributing hundreds of dollars in gift cards for Gagne to put toward his food costs, and employees are matching that donation with cash.

Matt Dibrindisi Entertainment, a local entertainment and media brand, has been a cornerstone of the fundraising efforts. Eric Dibrindisi was Gagne’s longtime friend of over 30 years. They grew up doing Scouts together and were both each other’s best man at their weddings. His wife Sue has also been instrumental in organizing.

Look Park has contributed by offering discounted pavilion and entry pricing for the event, and the walk will also be sponsored by Henshaw Well Drilling and Mountain Base Manufacturing.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.