On July 18, 2026, the Hollywood Neighborhood Cleanup team, affiliated with the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International, embarked on a community service initiative across several blocks around the Church. Volunteers cleaned streets and distributed copies of L. Ron Hubbard's The Way to Happiness booklet, a moral code aimed at promoting positive behavior. The effort aimed to engage neighbors, business owners, and tourists in a tangible act of goodwill.
The 12-member volunteer force began cleaning along Franklin Avenue heading west, then moved south to Hollywood Boulevard. At that point, they switched from cleanup tools to distributing the booklets. One recipient, a man selling tourist bus rides on Hollywood Boulevard, recognized the booklet, stating he had read it while in prison. He noted, "Whenever I would read this book, it would just bring me calm. Sometimes you just gotta read, you know, and I remember this book. I liked it. Excellent."
At a coffee shop, a staff member received the booklet, opened it, and began reading immediately. Delighted, she requested a stack of booklets to place on the counter. Near a historic church building adjacent to an underpass, occupants of a passing SUV rolled down their window and complimented the volunteers, saying, "Did anybody tell you yet today that you guys are awesome?" The volunteers handed them booklets in appreciation.
A man standing at a corner expressed gratitude for the booklet and agreed that the area needed improvement. Mike, a security guard on Hollywood Boulevard, accepted two booklets, while Glen, an employee of the Hollywood Partnership—an organization that cleans the boulevard daily—thanked the volunteers. Glen asked if they had seen the film "Pay It Forward," as he admired the concept of passing along good deeds. The team gave him a booklet inscribed with "To" and "From," plus an additional one for him to pass to another.
Nick Kurtz, the cleanup coordinator, handed out bundles of a dozen booklets. He would approach individuals and ask, "Hey, do you like to help people?" If they responded affirmatively, he explained, "You can really pay it forward with this book. It's a beautiful book about help your parents, love your kids, basically be a good citizen or be a good neighbor to make the world a better place." Many recipients took multiple copies to share. A family from the Riverside area accepted bundles as they entered their car, eager to spread the message. Another woman waiting at a crosswalk initially appeared skeptical but, after talking with Kurtz, accepted a bundle with enthusiasm.
For over eight years, the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International has donated The Way to Happiness booklets for local cleanup activities. The booklet, written by L. Ron Hubbard, states, "Happiness lies in engaging in worthwhile activities" and concludes with "And that is my wish for you." More information about the Church's initiatives is available at scientology.cc.
