Rescue teams jump into action after tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Cumbria, England, were pummeled by Storm Desmond in early December.

In two days in December, Storm Desmond pummeled Cumbria in northwest England with more rain than it usually receives in a month. At the height of the storm, some 42,000 properties were without power. 

But despite the personal toll, local residents were cheered by the outpouring of help, including from a team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers. As the BBC reported, “complete strangers from all over the region are joining forces to lend a helping hand.”

“The community was really close knit and
everyone was working together.”

Learning that cleaning products were in short supply, the volunteers came with buckets, mops and brooms  needed by storm victims in their clean-up efforts, and distributed the supplies door-to-door to households throughout Carlisle.

“The community was really close knit and everyone was working together,” said one of the volunteers. “Many homes were destroyed but there was a spirit of community and people were helping each other and just getting on with it.”

A global network of Volunteer Ministers mobilizes in times of man-made and natural disasters, answering the call wherever needed. Collaborating with some 1,000 organizations and agencies, they have utilized their skill and experience in providing physical support and spiritual aid at hundreds of disaster sites.