Released on = January 17, 2006, 9:38 pm

Press Release Author = Gwen Barnard/Church of Scientology

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = One key group that traveled all over the planet in 2005 was
the Volunteer Ministers program of the Church of Scientology.

Press Release Body =

Portland, OR - Major natural disasters took their toll in 2005 with hundreds of
thousands of lives adversely affected all over the world. From the Indonesian
tsunami to Hurricane Katrina, tremendous efforts were taken to ensure the horror of
these events did not spread even further. In Portland, awards were given to those
who traveled to these global hotspots in recognition of their sacrifices to help
people they would probably have never met their entire lives. Twenty awards were
handed out.

Cam Potts traveled to the disaster areas in both Indonesia and Mississippi as a
Volunteer Minister. Cam said, "While I was in Indonesia, I had a tremendous
experience. A 20-year old man who was catatonic with shock was brought to me in the
Volunteer Minister area. I used the assists developed by L. Ron Hubbard to help
him. After an hour and a half, the glassy, vacant look in the man's eyes had left
and the warmth of humanity had returned to him."

Cam also helped with the 2005 Portland Marathon, where over 400 people received
similar assists to that obtained by the Indonesian man.

Edward Parkin, Vice President for Cultural Affairs for the Church of Scientology
International, said, "Disaster relief is only one sphere of action. Our aim is to
bring compassion, decency and mutual respect in all parts of the world through the
practical tools of Scientology."

To that end, the Church has launched Volunteer Minister Goodwill tours with large
yellow tents, which introduce people to these simple yet effective techniques to
improve their conditions in life. These Goodwill tours are currently in Botswana,
India, the Baltic countries and South America, while arrangements are being made to
add more in South Asia, the South Pacific Islands and Siberia via the Trans-Siberian
Railway.

"There is so much needed in the world today by so many that their contribution is
very welcome," Parkin stated, "the world needs a hand and we have the technologies
of L. Ron Hubbard so that something can be done about it."


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Web Site =

Contact Details = Gwen Barnard
Church of Scientology
709 SW Salmon
Portland, OR 97205
503-229-0116