July 3, 2002

CONTACT:
Linda Simmons Hight
Media Relations Director
Church of Scientology International
6331 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6329
Phone (323) 960-3500
Fax (323) 960-3508
E-mail mediarelationsdir@scientology.net

SCIENTOLOGY VOLUNTEER MINISTERS CALLED TO BE ON ALERT FOR JULY 4TH WEEKEND

In response to government warnings about possible terrorist action over the July 4th weekend, U.S. members of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Corps have been alerted to be ready to offer assistance in case of emergency.

The message was issued by the program’s coordinators of the approximately 10,000 U.S. Volunteer Ministers, 800 of whom served at Ground Zero after 9/11 and many others who volunteered at the fires in Arizona and Colorado.

“Like all Americans, we want a peaceful and happy holiday weekend celebrating our nation’s freedom,” said Volunteer Minister eastern regional coordinator Abby Campbell. “The mission of the Volunteer Minister is to help where and when needed, and we are ready to serve in any circumstance.”

The Volunteer Ministers Corps, founded by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard 25 years ago, is made up of Scientology parishioners and others trained to administer “spiritual first aid” in a broad range of circumstances, including human and natural disasters.

The volunteers take on logistics and organizational tasks, desperately needed in times of disaster. They give “assists”, simple but powerful Scientology procedures that bring relief from the shock, trauma and exhaustion suffered by police, fire and rescue workers, as well as the victims, at disaster sites.

Before September 11, 2001, Volunteer Ministers were already known for their service at other disasters—the Los Angeles civil disorder in 1992 and the Northridge earthquake in 1994; in 1995, earthquakes in Japan, Indonesia and Russia; the Oklahoma City bombing, Hurricane Andrew in Florida and such scenarios around the world. The Volunteer Ministers are also known for their effective assistance in resolving drug addiction, illiteracy and conflict in their local communities.

More information on the Volunteer Ministers program is available by calling 1-800-HELP-4-YU or at www.volunteerministers.org.