Cleaning Up Clearwater Beach After Hurricane Irma

CLEARWATER, Fla., September 13, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Clearwater Beach was spared the full brunt of Hurricane Irma. Meteorologists had anticipated 5- to 8-foot storm surges that would have completely submerged it—the police issued a mandatory evacuation order. But the storm weakened and moved east, only grazing the Tampa Bay area. Compared with the dire predictions the damage was minor.

Eager to restore this Clearwater treasure to its pristine condition, Scientology Volunteer Ministers crossed the causeway as soon as restrictions were lifted. Arriving at Pier 60, they immediately set to cleaning the beach.

It was very important to us to help the community recover from the hurricane and put everything quickly back to normal.

Rev. Pat Harney, Church of Scientology spokesperson

"People travel to Clearwater Beach from around the world. It is one of the most prized features of the city," says Church spokesperson Rev. Pat Harney. "It was very important to us to help the community recover from the hurricane and put everything quickly back to normal."

Teams of VMs, armed with rakes and shovels, fanned out along the shore making fast work of the cleanup, which included removing seaweed that washed ashore and palm trees toppled by the 85-mph winds.

Committed to helping all residents, they were inspired in this activity by the words of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who wrote, "A community that pulls together can make a better society for all."

Clearwater is the international spiritual headquarters of the Church of Scientology and the permanent home to more than 12,000 Scientology parishioners. Tens of thousands of Scientologists travel to the city each year from around the world to participate in religious services.

For more images of the cleanup, visit the Scientology Newsroom.

Source: ScientologyNews.org

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