Seattle-area Scientologists and community members have donated more than 10,300 diapers to assist families recovering from devastating wildfires in Eastern Washington. The relief effort, organized by Churches of Scientology Disaster Response (CSDR) and the Church of Scientology in Seattle, delivered the supplies to Spokane after Washington Governor Bob Ferguson urged businesses and nonprofits to donate essential items for wildfire-affected communities.
Diapers were among the specific items requested by the state, along with blankets, sheets, towels, baby formula, hygiene supplies, food, and other basic necessities. Members of the Seattle Church of Scientology congregation and others in the community contributed funds to purchase the diapers. Scientology Volunteer Ministers then transported the donation to the Wildfire Relief Donation & Distribution Center in Spokane, where supplies are directed to families in need.
"When families have been forced from their homes, something as basic as having enough diapers for their children can become an immediate and very real concern," said Rev. Ann Pearce. "When the call went out for help, our parishioners and members of the community responded immediately. We wanted the families affected by these fires to know that people hundreds of miles away were thinking about them and were ready to help." The Church is continuing to work on further assistance for families in Spokane.
The donation follows a wildfire emergency that affected communities across eastern Washington and prompted an extensive state and federal response. Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency on August 1 amid extreme fire conditions and imposed a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning. The state also activated Washington National Guard personnel to assist firefighting operations. On August 27, Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Commerce announced a coordinated effort to collect large-scale donations from businesses and nonprofit organizations for affected communities.
For Churches of Scientology Disaster Response, mobilizing volunteers to assist communities in crisis is part of an international humanitarian effort spanning more than 25 years. CSDR staff and Scientology Volunteer Ministers have provided assistance in the aftermath of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other natural and man-made disasters. Volunteer Ministers work alongside community leaders, government officials, first responders, nonprofit and relief organizations, faith-based groups, and other volunteers. Depending on the needs of a disaster, they may help organize and distribute emergency supplies, assist with logistics and cleanup, support relief centers, and provide other practical assistance.
For more information about the Church of Scientology, visit https://www.scientology.org. To learn more about Churches of Scientology Disaster Response, visit https://www.scientology.org/volunteer-ministers.
