CLEARWATER, Fla., Aug. 30, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Sunday the 20th of August, Scientology Volunteer Minister and Clearwater, Florida resident Crystal Lurie turned her 5-year-old son over to her husband, bid them goodbye and travelled to Baton Rouge, joining a group of Scientology Volunteer Ministers to help the flood-ravaged victims there. Ms. Lurie is part of a network that the Church of Scientology established as a permanent Volunteer Ministers Disaster Response Team, ready to mobilize in times of natural or man-made disasters.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/102464c8-b9ee-46c5-9e88-f531927719fc
“I just wanted to do something about it,” said Ms. Lurie, echoing the motto of the Volunteer Ministers. “Following the Florida hurricanes of 2004, I pledged I would do all I can as a Volunteer Minister to help my fellow human beings in times like this.”
According to the Red Cross, the catastrophic flood, which started around the 12th of August damaging more than 100,000 homes, has been designated the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago.
Ms. Lurie and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been spending their time In Louisiana at two Baton Rouge shelters helping the victims and emergency workers alike.
“Among many tasks, we helped the National Guard pass out flyers to the shelter residents letting them know where they could help and what resources are available for them because in the chaos, many just had no idea where they could go,” Ms. Lurie said. “But then there was the pregnant resident who was stressed out about her situation and didn’t have any prenatal vitamins. As a mother, I could totally empathize. I gave her an Assist and got her vitamins. She was so relieved and grateful for the help.” (In Scientology an Assist is an action undertaken to help a person confront physical difficulties. An Assist does not replace medical treatment or first aid but is an adjunct to them).
Ms. Lurie returned to her family this week but many Scientology Volunteer Ministers and other volunteers from the Red Cross and other organizations stayed. “More Volunteer Ministers are on their way as there is still so much more to be done,” she said.
The Scientology Volunteer Ministers of Florida opened up a headquarters in downtown Clearwater last July. With its public information center, conference room and seminar rooms, the center welcomes anyone wishing to receive help. The center offers free courses covering everything from handling drug problems to helping children to increasing efficiency in the workplace. For more information and tour of the center, call 727-467-6965 or email [email protected]. The Center is located at 101N. Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, FL 35755.
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
The Volunteer Minister program was created in the mid 1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, who described the Volunteer Minister as “a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.”
The Volunteer Minister program is a broad initiative bringing effective physical and spiritual assistance to anyone, anywhere. Within this network are the Volunteer Minister Disaster Response Team who work with community leaders, government officials, relief organizations and other volunteer groups to provide physical support and meaningful spiritual aid through their organization, skill and experience.
Spanning every continent, Volunteer Ministers comprise one of the largest independent relief forces in the world, bringing effective help whenever and wherever needed.
For more information on the program, log on to www.volunteerministers.org
CONTACT: For More information Contact: Pat Harney 727-467-6860