Clearwater Couple “Paying it Forward” in Puerto Rico with the Scientology VMs Return After Disaster Relief Mission

CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 15, 2018 -- On Sunday Feb 11th, Mark Ruff and Trish Williams, Scientology Volunteer Ministers, returned to Clearwater from Puerto Rico where they helped on disaster relief for two months.  Mark and Trish said they helped people all over Puerto Rico even in the mountains where the roads were almost impassable.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers (VMs) in Puerto Rico (Mark Ruff and Trish Williams at center). The VMs are delivering supplies, food, clearing the roads and helping people deal with their losses after Hurricane Maria . More than 100 VMs from around the United States have gone to assist Puerto Rico following Maria's devastation.

 “We met an elderly couple that looked like they had been living in the woods, they had no food, no water and minimal shelter,” said Trish. “We provided them with these things as well as an inflated air mattress and a propane camping stove. They were so happy and it made us happy. We met so many people like this.”

In 2016, Mark Ruff and Trish Williams had their own life struggles when relocating from Maine to Clearwater to get a new start. As they searched for jobs, their funds were eaten away staying in motels and they eventually ended up on the streets.

One day, they passed by the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Center in downtown Clearwater, went in and from then on were given support and taught life skills.  They then found work and a place to stay.

Inspired by the help they got from the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, Trish and Mark decided to help Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.  Mark is also a trained Emergency Management Technician, and is licensed to operate heavy machinery, skills which are very much needed in Puerto Rico.

“When times get tough out in the world, it’s important to lend a helping hand,” said Mark.

To learn more about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers please contact Glendy Goodsell at (727) 467-6965 or email [email protected].

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Relief Response:

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Response Team was born out of the World Trade Center disaster in New York City on September 11, 2001.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers, located in 120 different nations collaborate with over 1,000 organizations using their organizing skills to distribute water, food and first aid in conjunction with medical teams on site.

The Scientology Volunteer Minister Program was conceived by L. Ron Hubbard who wrote in 1991, "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence."

For more information please visit http://www.volunteerministers.org/l-ron-hubbard.html.

For More Information
Contact:  Amber Skjelset
727-467-6966

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/180bf20b-ac1b-422e-a6ea-e24f8e3a2583