CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, the 10th of February, in the Fort Harrison Auditorium, the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization hosted a college tour fundraiser for the Rays of Hope, a non-profit that empowers youth. $6,000 was raised to take the youth to Atlanta to tour several colleges.
Dylan Pires, the Community Affairs Officer for the Church, opened the event and welcomed the guests to the Fort Harrison.
The MC was Helen Neal-Ali, founder of Agape Outreach, a group Helen created to bring unity between Tampa Bay youth after her grandson lost three of his friends in gang shootings. Agape Outreach uses the non-religious The Way to Happiness booklet by L. Ron Hubbard to teach morals to youth. The group is a partner of Rays of Hope and The Way to Happiness Association of Tampa Bay.
Horace Drew, founder of Rays of Hope, spoke about his organization and what he does with the youth. Several youth and parents talked about what the program has done for them and their children.
Michael Mariner, motivational speaker, told the audience how important it is for kids to take advantage of their time in school. He emphasized how they can set up their life for great success if they get a good education and get into a field that they really want to do.
“Our children are our future,” said Ms. Tanja Cranton, Executive Director of The Way to Happiness Association Tampa Bay. “As educators, parents and adults it is our responsibility to make sure that their future is secured by educating our children not only in reading, math and science but also with a framework of morals, which, in fact, encompasses all other aspects of life.”
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/0991322f-1a74-41f5-8606-cc8b665e8228