Church of Scientology of Tampa’s Volunteer Ministers Participate in Greenwood’s Back 2 School Health and Wellness Fest

Clearwater, FL: More than 1000 people – mostly children - flooded the North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Center in Clearwater this past weekend. Hosting their 9th annual Back 2 School Health and Wellness Fest, the North Greenwood Community Coalition assembled more than 20 local organizations to distribute free backpacks, school supplies and lunch to the attendees. Attendees were also able to receive free wellness exams, blood pressure testing and vision tests.

          Though many communities have events like this, the event in North Greenwood has become one of the largest of its kind in Pinellas County.

            Participating organizations included Aces Tutoring and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Clearwater Alumnae Chapter, the Foundation for a Drug Free World, the Turley Family Health Center and the Willa Carson Health and Wellness Center.

            Helping to get the children ready for a new school year beyond their physical needs was the Church of Scientology of Tampa’s Volunteer Ministers.

            Having been a part of rescue efforts for disasters ranging from 9/11 to Superstorm Sandy, the VMs were able to provide practical tools for parents to hopefully avoid disasters at home.

            “At the Health and Wellness Fest, we distributed about 150 Assists for Illness and Injuries booklets, which contain a simple process to help calm a child who is upset,” said the group’s director, Judy Fagerman. “Assists are Scientology procedures that anyone can do, regardless of religious affiliation, to help another recover from illness or trauma.”

            “I became a Volunteer Minister after 9/11,” Fagerman continued. “The experience totally changed me and I dedicated my life to helping others through Volunteer Ministers disaster response. Doing events like this are another facet of what we do, but are just as important.”

            The Volunteer Minister program began in answer to escalating crime and violence in the later 1960’s and early 1970’s. Founded by L. Ron Hubbard, the program provides practical tools to help people in their day to day life.

            The North Greenwood Community Coalition, the hosts of the event, began in 2007 by local leaders, concerned citizens and friends of the community who decided to take responsibility for the growing problem of crime and drug dealing that had begun to creep in to their community. Since then the Coalition has organized anti-drug marches and other events towards the end goal of achieving a drug-free and prosperous community.