Such contributions have earned numerous recognitions. In 1996, the director of the Los Angeles Outreach Program was commended by (at the time) 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."

The Church has also sponsored the popular "Winter Wonderland" in Hollywood, complete with the film capital’s largest Christmas tree and snow by the ton. Santa lights the tree during the annual Christmas parade and the setting plays host to thousands of children and their parents. "Winter Wonderland" is also a yearly feature in Clearwater, Florida, where Scientologists construct a Swiss Alpine village, complete with Santa Claus, skating, train and pony rides, a petting zoo, snowmen and a special Santa’s Workshop. More than 30,000 children and their parents visit during the holiday season. Those who come to enjoy the festivities are encouraged to donate canned goods, clothing and toys which are then distributed to needy families in time for the holidays.

The Women’s Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology in Clearwater provides hundreds of Christmas presents to underprivileged children in cooperation with the local Marine Corps Reserve. The Women’s Auxiliary has also provided gifts for the children of Florida migrant workers.

Each year, Scientologists organize a toy drive and party for Clearwater’s foster children. One such party in 1995 resulted in a unique project among the 250 foster children who attended, to bring attention to the plight of abused and neglected children everywhere. The children each traced their individual handprints onto one of a multitude of brilliantly colored and patterned fabrics, wrote their names on the cloth hand and placed it on a 121-square-foot black velvet tapestry. The "Hands of Hope" Quilt project culminated with a visit in 1996 to Washington, DC, where the children and their parents received a warm welcome from the then First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in the East Room of the White House.

Canadian Charity

Scientologists in Ottawa and Montreal team up with local law enforcement officers and firefighters for annual toy drives and caroling for underprivileged youth and residents of care centers. Year-round, Canadian church members also greet and care for arriving immigrants and refugees and their families around the clock as necessary. The Church of Scientology of British Columbia was acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation for "generous contribution" from the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia for helping newly arrived refugee families.

In Montreal, the Church is an active fund-raiser, joining forces with the Canadian National Hockey Team for various charities. Scientologists in Montreal have supported the Cerebral Palsy Association, led by a Scientologist who has served as vice-president of the association’s fund-raising committee.