Scientology Volunteer Ministers unloading a delivery truck in Baton Rouge

Donations are needed to support the relief efforts to transport people, for food, water, toiletries, clothing, medical supplies, sleeping bags etc. The Scientology Mission of Baton Rouge has set up a PayPal account you can use to donate for this cause. Any help you can give is appreciated.

“Its not over yet”

With over 600 Volunteer Ministers spread throughout Louisiana and Mississipi, the reports coming in indicate that many, many more volunteers are still needed to help thousands of people still requiring aid and assistance.

As the media coverage dies down, the South will get less official attention. However, the multitude of people still requiring help and the state of the disaster struck areas is not going to go away, just because the media is. People need to be housed, placed in jobs – the work is not over.

Many caring organizations and religions are working together to help the evacuees and people affected by the hurricane with physical and spiritual support, however, all agree that they need to double their troops to cope with the vast amount of havoc wreaked by Katrina.

The lead Volunteer Minister overseeing operations said, “We need more volunteers. The only requirement is that the person cares and is willing to help us with whatever it takes. We will train people, as well as help with logistics to get volunteers down here.” He continued, “The work is definitely not over – there are hundreds of people we haven’t reached yet in outlying areas, and more and more people are arriving to the shelters to be cared for and relocated.” He concluded, “We are fully set up to be able to accept volunteers who want to come and help. Tell everyone their help is welcome.”

Scientology Volunteer Minister teams are active in the following centers:

In Louisiana: River Center, Lamar Dixon and Port Allen shelters in Baton Rouge (as well as the Louisiana State University animal shelter), and teams in Lafayette.

In New Orleans: the Downtown, West Jefferson, East Jefferson, Plaquemine and Gretna facilities.

In Mississippi: Several locations in Gulfport, Biloxi and McLain.

In Texas: The Astrodome shelter and the Reliant Center in Houston, as well as the Austin Convention Center.

In California: The Riverside Red Cross facility.

If you can help with donations or wish to volunteer time, call (323) 960-1949 or (800) 435-7498 or e-mail vm@volunteerministers.org

Scientology Volunteer Ministers unloading a delivery truck in Baton Rouge	Working with the National Guard, Volunteer Ministers covering hurricane damaged roofs in Gulfport, Mississippi	Volunteer Ministers administer tetanus shots to police and rescue personnel in New Orleans	Helping the local police in Gretna, Louisiana who also need provisions

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Contact the Scientology Disaster Response Team at the number above. You'll need a sleeping bag and air mattress. Someone is assigned to handling logistics on the ground and they have locations where people can sleep, you just need to bring something to sleep in and on. The weather is very hot (102°F), so bring summer clothes. Both the Lafayette and Baton Rouge airports are open and people can fly into them. If you are driving, bring as much drinking water as you can. In Baton Rouge the water is fine but the disaster areas and shelters need more water.