16TH ANNUAL CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY CHARITY CONCERT - RAISES £50,000 TO AID ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION

Sunday October 21st, an audience of over 1500, including mayors, dignitaries and other special guests, attended a musical spectacular hosted by the Church of Scientology at Saint Hill Manor. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charitable institution founded in 1824 to save lives at sea, was the beneficiary of this 16th annual Gala Charity Concert staged in the Grand Marquee—one of the largest marquees in Europe. 

Mistress of Ceremonies Marisol Nichols, a star from Fox Television's drama series "24", introduced an audience from around the world to a wide spectrum of music. They were treated to top class acts, from award-winning Gospel singer Jesse Stevenson and Italian Queen of Jazz Elena Roggero to rapper Chill E.B. Special guest Rebecca Grant, singer and actress known for playing Nurse Daisha Anderson in "Holby City", joined The Jive Acres—the UK's top jive band—for two of their high octane numbers.

Over the 16 years that the Saint Hill Gala Charity Concert has been taking place, numerous and varied charities have been supported—from the Sussex Air Ambulance and RSPCA, to the National Drug Prevention Alliance and the Bluebell Railway Trust. The concert follows the tradition initiated by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1960's when Saint Hill Manor was his home and he supported many of the local charities.

Speaking on behalf of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Mr. Peter Tarrant said he was overwhelmed with the cheque for £50,000, which he received on stage from Ms Marianne Rowell of the Church of Scientology. He said this will fund the Lifeboat Crew Room at the brand new Lifeboat Station in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Mr Tarrant expressed his gratitude to the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation and the Church of Scientology and all who made the concert possible. He said, "This enormous contribution will mean so much to our life-saving activities. I also love the special connection with Master Mariner L. Ron Hubbard who supported the RNLI when he lived at Saint Hill Manor."

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Scientology organization was formed in the United States in 1952 and the religion has expanded to more than 10,000 Organizations, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF MOSCOW DRUG EDUCATION AND PREVENTION—A YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY

No matter the weather, Moscow Scientologists carry out drug education and prevention to help counter drug abuse trends in their city.

Despite frigid conditions, volunteers from the Church of Scientology took their drug education and prevention activities to the streets of Moscow this week, distributing 2,600 fliers and collecting 2,000 signatures on drug-free pledges. And for good reason.

According to a 2010 United Nations study, Russia has the world's highest per capita heroin use, resulting in 30,000 to 40,000 drug-related deaths in the country each year.

The Russian Federal Service for the Control of Narcotics reported a 15-fold rise in the number of drug-related crimes and a tenfold increase in the number of Russian drug users from 1996 to 2006. As reported in The New York Times this week, an estimated 1.8 million users inject drugs in that country—the highest of any nation in the world. To worsen matters, addiction is hitting young people the hardest—the majority of drug addicts are 16-30, and over the last decade, the age of first use dropped from 17 to 14.

Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Moscow, determined to reverse this trend, carry out drug education and prevention activities throughout the year. They distribute drug education and prevention booklets and flyers and collect signatures on their drug-free pledge every week. They organize a wide variety of activities, including street events and concerts. In June 2011 they carried out a marathon that traveled through 12 nearby cities.

To learn more about the drug prevention initiative sponsored by the Church of Scientology or to participate,visit the Scientology website.

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The Church of Scientology of Moscow celebrated its grand opening at its new home on Taganskaya Street February 26, 2011. The new Church is designed to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative efforts to uplift citizens of all denominations.

Church of Scientology Community Center in South L.A. welcomed by City Officials at Inaugural Open House

City, State and Federal officials joined community leaders, residents and guests in celebrating the Church of Scientology Community Center’s inaugural open house Saturday November 12.

The 28,000-square-foot Community Center is located on 81st and Vermont Blvd. in South Los Angeles. L.A. City Council Member Bernard Parks welcomed the Center to his district, presenting a commendation in celebration of the inaugural Open House. The Community Center officially opened last weekend in a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by 5,000 people at the Church of Scientology Inglewood just a few minutes away on Market Street.

Captain Kato of the 77th precinct urged those present to use the resources available at the Center. United States Congresswoman Maxine Waters presented the Church with a certificate of special recognition on behalf of Congress. Congresswoman Karen Bass wrote a message acknowledging the Church for “its many humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs for the benefit of South Los Angeles.” Live Entertainment was provided by local talent including the Community Center’s own staff.

Los Angeles City Council Member Bernard Parks presented the Church of Scientology Community Center Executives with a special commendation welcoming them to his district: “The contributions you have made to the community are truly valuable and will be long cherished by many.”

The Church of Scientology Community Center features a 380-seat event hall, the L. Ron Hubbard Community Auditorium, designed for community events and as a meeting ground for residents of all denominations. The Center includes numerous classrooms and seminar facilities for a full range of civic programs, including a complete literacy and tutoring center. It is open 10:00am to 9:30pm Monday through Friday and 10:00am to 6:00pm Saturday and Sunday.