Volunteer Ministers and the Help They Provide

Here's a section of an article from the new web site of the Church of Scientology Mission of Lafayette, Indiana

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 effected. 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 (Mission Holder 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.

During the initial phases of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers (or VM’s) were responsible for setting up and completely running 5 shelters for hurricane evacuees, primarily from New Orleans.

On September 24 Hurricane Rita came ashore at the Texas/Louisiana border and directly affected areas where the Lafayette Mission had been operating evacuee shelters for Hurricane Katrina. The area for which the Lafayette Mission had been responsible, quickly turned from a secondary evacuee support site to a primary hurricane disaster area. The VM’s performed outstanding and highly acknowledged VM work in this area. Once again creating and running 4 more shelters.

The local Scientology Mission received numerous commendations and accolades from government officials and community leaders. You are welcome to read these and see photographs of the activities of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers.