As climate change prompts citizens to prepare for local disasters, they did not have to confront before, the Washington, DC, State Fair became a venue for the organizations to share information.

Washington, DC, United States - September 12, 2024 —

Although the District of Columbia is not technically a state it still creates its own version of that quintessentially American experience: the state fair. In fact, Washington, DC, held its 15th Annual State Fair on September 7, 2024, with live performances, safety demonstrations, arts and crafts exhibitions, as well as the district’s agricultural and culinary highlights during the daylong celebration.

This year the DC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partnered with other local and national disaster organizations, including the Churches of Scientology Disaster Response (CSDR) in emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the possibility of a disaster and being ready to respond to help others. For the District of Columbia most disasters come from devastating apartment and house fires, although flooding and severe weather events are increasing.

The DC VOAD presentation at the fair was one of hundreds inspired by time-honored state fair traditions—growing and gardening, contests, delicious foods, and issues of importance to the city – showcasing things unique to the District of Columbia.

The fair was held in the heart of DC at the city’s largest downtown green space, Franklin Park. In addition to themed booths, the fair included dancing, speeches and various contests. Thousands of guests from other states and countries joined DC citizens in the celebration.

Rev. Susan Taylor, National Public Affairs Director of CSDR, said, “This celebration was a unique time to help educate attendees on the importance of disaster preparedness. As our climate changes, the threat and reality of natural disasters such as flooding and severe winds are becoming more of a reality in our city. I was honored to join the chair of the DC VOAD in manning the booth this year to share important information from our disaster response organization as well as the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, Salvation Army and many other disaster organizations.”

The DC VOAD is a member of the umbrella US organization called the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) which has organizations in all 50 states, US territories and the District of Columbia. NVOAD is the only organization in the United States which brings together groups from many faiths (including Scientologists, Methodists, Baptists, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists) with the American Red Cross and other nonprofits involved in disaster response, and government agencies including FEMA and state and county Emergency Management Agencies. With large and small disasters on the rise, it is vital that the disaster community focus even more on cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration.

Rev. Taylor observed, “While CSDR’s disaster Volunteer Ministers have responded this year in many parts of the country following major storms including flooding in Texas following Hurricane Beryl, flooding after Hurricane Debby in Florida and tornadoes in Iowa, it is vital that we also prepare in areas of the country, like Washington, DC, which are rarely impacted by devastating storms.”

The Volunteer Minister program was initiated by Scientology Founder, L. Ron Hubbard in the 1970s.

Ben Curran, DC VOAD Chair and Rev. Susan Taylor, national director CSDR  sharing disaster information with DC residents and visitors

About the company: Churches of Scientology Disaster Response (www.csdr-us.org) is a US-based nonprofit disaster response organization incorporated in Washington, DC, with over 25 offices around the country helping to coordinate local and regional responses with government agencies and other NVOAD organizations.

Contact Info:
Name: Susan Taylor
Email: Send Email
Organization: Churches of Scientology Disaster Response
Website: https://csdr-us.org/

Video URL: https://csdr-us.org/volunteer-ministers-confront-ians-wrath/

Release ID: 89140940

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