Mother, Actress, Kelly Preston and Awardees Highlight International Day of Happiness Celebration at the Church of Scientology, Flag

CLEARWATER, Fla., March 23, 2016 -- March 20^th is the United Nation’s International Day of Happiness. In honor of the day, the Church of Scientology and the Way to Happiness Association of Tampa Bay hosted 140 community members for a dinner and awards ceremony in the Fort Harrison Crystal Ballroom.

Awardees on the International Day of Happiness pose with actress and activist Kelly Preston after the ceremony at Clearwater’s Historic Fort Harrison. Pictured from left are: presenter Jim Mathers, awardee Joe Creek, awardee Hassam Shibly, Marlin Anderson, Ms. Preston, Schenique Harris and Bahiyyah Sadiki

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a3e8f9a-81ec-46e5-bd38-d32579da5452

The Way to Happiness Association utilizes the Way to Happiness booklet to give people a common-sense guide to living a happier life. The book was written by L. Ron Hubbard in 1981. Since its publication, it has been distributed to more than 110 million people in 205 countries.

Prior to the awards presentation, noted actress Kelly Preston (Jerry McGuire, Sky High, For the Love of the Game) gave a key note address based off one of the chapters of the Way to Happiness: Love and Help Children.

“What’s amazing is that children, who are dependent on us for so much, routinely help us to see the world in a new way,” said Ms. Preston. “I know my children have helped me extraordinarily. So how can I give back, not just to my own children, but to others?”

“I can put their feet on the road to happiness: teach them to treat others with respect, help them to be their own person, allow them to think for themselves, help them foster their own sense of identity and appreciate them for who they are.” Ms. Preston concluded by encouraging the attendees to read the Way to Happiness and use the booklet to help the children in their lives.

Ms. Preston’s speech was followed by a presentation from the Executive Director for the Way to Happiness Association, Ms. Tanja Cranton and WTH volunteer Jim Mathers.

Awards were presented to six individuals who exemplified different precepts from the Way to Happiness. The awardees were:

• Educator Bahyyah Sadiki (Love and Help Children)
• Hassan Shibly - the Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (Support a Government Run By and For the People)
• Brother John Muhammad (Safeguard and Improve Your Environment)
• NFL Moms Schenique Harris (Set a Good Example)
• Former President of the Tampa Neighborhoods Association Marlin Anderson (Be Worthy of Trust)
• Volunteer Joe Creek (Be Industrious)

To conclude the event, guests were shown the “Flourish and Prosper” chapter from the Way to Happiness Book on Film. Guests received their own copies of the Film as a parting gift.

“The Way to Happiness provides 21 precepts for happier living,” said Ms. Cranton. “These are very simple and it was wonderful to share the International Day of Happiness with so many and introduce them to this non-religious moral code.”

For more information about the Way to Happiness, please go to www.thewaytohappiness.org.

The Way to Happiness: The Way to Happiness, is the nonreligious moral code written by L. Ron Hubbard. Published in 112 languages, the 21 precepts have brought calm to communities torn by violence, peace to areas ravaged by civil strife, and self-respect to millions. The Way to Happiness Association of Tampa Bay operates from its Information Center in Clearwater on North Fort Harrison Ave.

Contact:
Lisa Mansell
(727) 467-6860