Grandmothers Honored at 6th Annual Pre-Valentine’s Day Gala

CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 15, 2018 -- On Sunday, 11 February, the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization hosted the 6th Annual Pre-Valentine’s Day Grandmother’s Gala organized by “Children with a Vision” in the Fort Harrison Auditorium.  There were 530 guests in attendance, 450 of whom were grandmothers.  Special guests included Florida State Senator Darryl Rouson and Daniel Alvarez from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office a partner of Children with a Vision.

110 year-old Mrs Voncile Dry received acknowledgment at Grandmothers Gala in the Church of Scientology's Fort Harrison retreat in downtown Clearwater

Dylan Pires, the Community Affairs Officer for the Church welcomed the guests to the Fort Harrison. He read an excerpt from L. Ron Hubbard’s The Way to Happiness precept, Honor and Help Your Parents:

“Children are indebted to their parents for their upbringing – if the parents did so.  While some parents are so fiercely independent that they will accept no return on the obligation, it is nevertheless true that there often comes a time when it is the turn of the younger generation to care for their parents.”

Youth from “Men of Vision”, a non-profit organization helping young men achieve their dreams, demonstrated their care for the grandmothers, escorting them, hosting them and dancing with them.

Keisha Boyd, Vice President of Children with a Vision, served as the MC.

Tonya Lewis, founder of Children with a Vision, explained that it was a grandmother who helped her when she was a troubled youth.  She thanked everyone for their support and then presented two grandmothers with awards: 110 years old Ms. Voncille Dry; and 93-year-old Ms. Flossie Pittman.

Tonya said, “I want these ladies to know how much we honor them while they are with us and can still see the flowers that we present to them.”

Senator Darryl Rouson discussed a law he sponsored and got passed that allowed grandmothers to have guardianship of their grandchildren if anything happens to the parents.  Previously, children who lost their parents were sent to orphanages and not allowed to be with their grandparents.

The Fort Harrison Religious Retreat:

Since its construction in 1927, the Fort Harrison in Downtown Clearwater has been the home for many community events and charitable organizations. The Fort Harrison’s current owner, the Church of Scientology, has hosted over 500 community events there since a top-to-bottom restoration in 2009. The Scientology religion was founded by humanitarian and philosopher, L. Ron Hubbard, and incorporated in 1954. To learn more, visit www.scientology.org.

For More Information
Contact:  Pat Harney
727-467-6860 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09ae5d95-8a9e-4e55-8b23-0ecf137faf24