 | Marie Pace, Louisiana State Senator Nick Gautreaux, and Annie Kananack Maurice, LA. |
In its previous 10 years, the Church of Scientology Mission of Lafayette had gained the respect and trust of many for the help they were always willing to provided the community. But it wasn't until last year's disastrous hurricane season that local leaders realized just how important this Mission is to the people of the area.
On their web site, the Mission describes how they coordinated the efforts of Scientologists from all over the United States who rushed to the area to help.
"Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on August 29, 2005. Tremendous damage was done, particularly to the City of New Orleans, and many hundred of thousands were left homeless. Communities across the region were in desperate need of help and many others pitched in to help those most affected."
The web site goes on to describe the effect the disasters had on local infrastructure.
"Many evacuees were coming to the Lafayette and Vermillion Parish areas, taxing the resources of these communities. At the request of government officials, Marie Pace (Executive Officer of the Scientology Mission of Lafayette) brought together a team of Volunteer Ministers that stepped in and did a remarkable job for the community. Over the ensuing days Scientology Volunteer Ministers were activated within the State of Louisiana and also came to Louisiana from many parts of the United States to join Marie's team."
 | Tim Creswell, Vermilion Parish Office of Homeland Security/Emergency Preparedness and Marie Pace listen to a 92-year old New Orleans man as he tells how he spent two days on the roof of his home before being evacuated by helicopter. |
With images of people left homeless by Katrina filling our TV screens, it became clear that the area simply was not prepared to handle this level of disaster. So helping these people find a safe and decent place to stay became the first priority for the Mission.
"During the initial phases of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers (or VMs) were responsible for setting up and completely running five shelters for hurricane evacuees, primarily from New Orleans."
Then, with local resources strained beyond their ability to cope, Hurricane Rita hit. So the Missions took on the running of four additional shelters.
This year the region was spared a repeat of last year's hardships, and towns and cities are rebuilding.
But no one is likely to forget the events of August 2005, both the tragedy, and the incredible help of people from all over the country who, like those who put on the bright yellow Volunteer Ministers t-shirts, left the comfort of their own homes and came to provide help to the people of the Gulf Coast.
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