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ANSWERS TO
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Many Scientologists assist in the community as Volunteer Ministers and have provided assistance to people in need around the world in the aftermath of earthquakes, floods, fires and explosions.
Teams of Volunteer Ministers mobilized in the aftermath of earthquakes which rocked Los Angeles, California, in 1994; Kobe, Japan, and Russia’s Sakhalin Island in 1995; Western China in 1998; and the series of earthquakes in Turkey, Greece and Latin America in 1999.
Volunteer Ministers are active wherever there are Scientologists. And just as their actions are not confined geographically, neither are they limited to serving others only in times of disaster. Volunteer Ministers can be found day in and day out, quietly working to make their communities a better place. Their services include communication seminars to local police and community service organizations; workshops on education to schools; and hospital visits to assist those recovering from illness or accidents.
Contributions such as these from Scientologists have earned numerous recognitions. In 1996, the director of the Los Angeles Outreach Program was commended by President Bill Clinton for services rendered to foster children. The Program Director organized volunteer Scientologists who contributed more than 60,000 hours of work to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. The commendation stated in part: “You have worked with energy and dedication to provide solutions to the many problems that government alone cannot fix. With your active involvement, you have brought hope and help to countless people in need.... Your work is going a long way toward healing and renewing your community, inspiring all who seek to improve our world.”
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