Pasadena Volunteers and Children Clean Central Park for World Health Day, Inspired by The Way to Happiness
Volunteers and children in Pasadena organized a park cleanup for World Health Day, promoting environmental stewardship and civic responsibility through principles from The Way to Happiness.
On Saturday morning, June 6, a group of volunteers and local children gathered at the Church of Scientology of Pasadena to celebrate World Health Day with a hands-on environmental cleanup. Participants united to give back to their community, inspired by two principles from the non-religious moral code The Way to Happiness: "Safeguard and Improve Your Environment" and "Set a Good Example."
Armed with trash bags and vinyl gloves, the volunteers and children headed to Central Park at 275 S. Raymond Avenue. The cheerful group fanned out across the park, energetically searching for and properly disposing of debris, litter, and discarded plastics. Pasadena has a long-standing reputation as a deeply "green" city, driven by aggressive municipal policies aimed at sustainability. The city's Green City Action Plan guides urban environmental initiatives, including strict zero-waste goals, plastic bag bans, and community-wide recycling programs. Pasadena also aggressively manages its urban forest, protecting thousands of city trees and encouraging water conservation through public rebate programs.
By taking to the streets, the volunteers aimed to directly mirror the city's eco-friendly philosophy. Local residents and park-goers witnessed the lively, smiling team in action, which organizers hope will ripple outward into further community care. By demonstrating pride in their public spaces, the young people and organizers successfully set a positive, visible example of civic responsibility for the people of Pasadena. One of the attendees said, "We hold the responsibility of passing good values onto the younger generations, including of course responsibility for our environment, local and otherwise. I can think of no better way than to instill the values of this powerful booklet."
The initiative underscores the importance of community-driven environmental action in a city already known for its green policies. The Way to Happiness, authored by L. Ron Hubbard, is described as the first moral code based wholly on common sense. The cleanup event not only contributed to the park's cleanliness but also served as a lesson for children in civic duty. The Church of Scientology, founded by Hubbard, has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions, and affiliated groups in 167 countries.