Downtown Clearwater Block Party Celebrated by Diverse Community

CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 08, 2016 -- On Saturday, November 5^th, 2016 over 3,300 residents flocked to downtown Clearwater to celebrate the Downtown Clearwater Fall Block Party sponsored by the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization and six Humanitarian Centers on the block of Cleveland Street and Fort Harrison Avenue. These humanitarian centers are:  The Human Rights Center of Florida; The Way to Happiness Association of Tampa Bay; Foundation for a Drug-Free World; Criminon; Scientology Volunteer Ministers; and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights Florida.

Church of Scientology staff welcome visitors to downtown Clearwater's Fall Block Party. Church of Scientology Flag Band entertained visitors to downtown Clearwater's Block Party.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/697f564b-ce9a-4d66-949c-b4729fc7bda2

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/552453d6-f270-42b7-9bab-6bb50de15658

The family-friendly Block Party began with a performance by Latin American folk dancers from a non-profit youth group called, "Mahetzi". Live music was provided by the Church of Scientology’s, Flag Band creating atmosphere and dancing in the street. Non-profits that have partnered with the Church and humanitarian centers over the past year also participated in the event.

Activities included live music, a balloon artist, food from some of the area's most popular food trucks and downtown Clearwater restaurants, a bouncy house, train, face painting and raffle prizes. The raffle items included gift certificates donated by downtown stores and restaurants and a $500 VISA gift card.

"After the success of the first Block party in July this year and the feedback from the community we decided to host another Block Party during the Fall,” said Dylan Pires, Community Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization. “This also gave us the chance to invite other charitable and non-profit organizations to have booths at the party and inform our guests about their mission and provide assistance."

The participating non-profits at the Block Party were: The Refuge, Narconon, Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY), Second Chance Life Skills, Concerned Businessmen's Association of Tampa Bay, Feed Our Children Ministries, Hard2Guard, Owl's Nest Sanctuary, Faith House Florida, Haitian Mission Par La Foi Inc., Veterans Health Network, Martin Luther King Center and Clearwater Community Sailing Center.

“It’s great being able to participate at this event and work with the Church on community outreach. By working together we can better reach out and help people with issues they are struggling with,” said one non-profit volunteer.

Since the centers opened last year, some 60,000 visitors have come through the doors to learn about these programs. In terms of community outreach, over 152,000 human rights educational booklets, 281,000 drug education booklets and 200,000 copies of the non-religious common-sense moral code, The Way to Happiness, have been distributed.

In addition to the fun, guests were able to learn about the humanitarian initiatives supported by Scientologists the world over:

United for Human Rights -- implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Way to Happiness Foundation -- restoring trust and honesty the world over based on "The Way to Happiness" written by L. Ron Hubbard.

Foundation for a Drug Free World -- empowering youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free.

Criminon -- addressing the causes of criminality and restoring the criminal's self-respect.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers -- a global force of volunteers, who live by the motto "Something can be done about it".

Citizens Commission on Human Rights -- helping to enact more than 150 laws protecting individuals from abusive or coercive psychiatric practices.

"Seeing people from different walks of life and ethnic backgrounds come together to celebrate is great. We enjoy providing an event which fosters inclusiveness and community interaction," said Mr. Pires.

About the Church of Scientology:

The Scientology religion was founded by humanitarian and philosopher, L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has expanded to more than 11,000 churches, missions and affiliated groups, with members in 167 nations. Based on L. Ron Hubbard's words, "A community that pulls together can make a better society for all," the Church of Scientology regularly engages in many humanitarian programs and community events.

Contact: Pat Harney
(727) 467-6966
[email protected]