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Armenia Fund USA
152 Madison Ave, #803
New York, NY 10016
Contact: Lisa Markarian
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-Mail: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
Web: <http://www.armeniafundusa.org/> www.armeniafundusa.org
Armenia Fund USA's Fundraising Efforts Resulted in Unprecedented Success
in the 2004 Telethon
Every Thanksgiving Day marks the annual Armenia Fund Telethon, and this
year was no different. Contributions poured in non-stop from around the
globe to volunteer and staff phone bank operators in The Fund's New York
City and Glendale offices - Germany, Russia, France, England, Holland,
Brazil, Argentina, cities around the US, and even Armenia and Karabakh
are just some countries that got involved. It is a monumental
initiative that brings each and every one of us together, remembering
why we are so scattered, obligating us to rise up to the occasion and
help our homeland. This day echoes the words of William Saroyan from so
long ago, ".for when two Armenians meet anywhere in the world, see if
they will not create a new Armenia". And, that is what the Telethon
proves to do again and again. The North South Highway, a much needed
infrastructure development project in Karabakh has been funded with an
additional $11 million dollars. Doubling the funds contributed in 2003
and putting us at the finish line for completing this bold $25 million
project that started a mere 5 years ago. That is 150 towns and villages
throughout the republic with access to food and other necessities so
basic, the rest of us don't think twice about it. It's no wonder
everyone refers to the North South Highway as the backbone of Karabakh.
Heading the charge of this major fundraising initiative is the
collaboration between Armenia Fund USA based in New York City, serving
all constituents in the Eastern United States, and Armenia Fund Inc.
based in Glendale and serving the constituency in the Western United
States. These are two of the 18 affiliated offices around the world to
Hayastan All Armenian Fund based in Armenia. Each affiliate office
serves the constituency it is indigenous to by adopting infrastructure
development projects in Armenia and Karabakh and directing their own
fundraising campaigns. The North South Highway is the one project that
brings each of these affiliate offices together every year in a
worldwide campaign. What went into the success, broadcasted via the
organization's Thanksgiving Day Telethon, was a year's worth of hard
work. Kevork Toroyan, Board Chairman of Armenia Fund USA, the Eastern
United States affiliate of Hayastan All Armenian Fund reported that the
major fundraising campaign was more than just what was aired on
Thanksgiving Day. It involved inspiring major donation from noteworthy
leaders in the community, mass mailings, advertisements, phonations, and
regional events, all culminating with the global reach of the Telethon
to bring the viewership an interesting program and raise money for a
worthy cause. The program showcased new development footage direct from
Armenia and Karabakh, messages and performances from popular artists
like the MET Opera Singer Isabel Bayrakdarian and Zulal trio of a
capella singers, key note messages from political leaders like
Massachusetts Representative Peter Koutoujian, New Jersey Congressman
Frank Pallone, all among countless other supporters. Broadcasting
reached 45 million households in the US alone, with extended viewing
capabilities from satellite TV and web-casting garnering involvement
from smaller Armenian communities in the US like South Carolina and
Georgia.
This comprehensive campaign designed to direct positive change got off
to an amazing start with the pre-telethon fundraising initiatives hosted
by Armenia Fund USA with the much anticipated delegation visit headed by
Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan and accompanied in part by Himnadram
Executive Director Naira Melkoumian for special engagements and public
speaking appearances in Boston, Detroit, and the New York Metropolitan
area all to drive awareness for the telethon, before heading off to the
studios in Glendale, California. These regional events and other
meetings culminated with nearly $6 million in donations from notable
philanthropic leaders and all other supporters in various Eastern US
cities. On behalf of the Manoogian Simone Foundation, Mrs. Simone
contributed $1 million during pre-telethon fundraising initiatives, with
an additional $1 million pledged as a matching gift incentive. It was a
gracious effort on her part standing true to her convictions recognizing
that, ".the North South Highway is a crucial project to the future
development and stability of Karabakh, one that every Armenian must
extend themselves to help complete." Notable contribution garnered from
other enthusiastic philanthropists include $1 million donations from
Sarkis Acopian, Hirair Hovnanian, and Kevork Hovnanian, $500,000 from
Carolyn Mugar, and $50,000 from Gerard Cafesjian and Hratch Kaprielian.
Over $11million dollars was raised by the end of the Telethon with
generous outpouring of support from all corners of the world - Eastern
United States $5.7 million; Argentina: $1.5 million; Western United
States: $1.4 million; Armenia and Karabakh: $1.1 million; France and
the rest of the world: $1.3 million.
Armenians worldwide should be proud of the teamwork-like effort
generated to "Make it Happen," as the Telethon slogan directed, proving
that the Diaspora is as strong as ever in its support for building
infrastructure to sustain Armenia and Karabakh's security and future.
Sending this kind of message of support only gives credence to "The
Economist" journal's unbiased and unsolicited recent reports indicating
that investment from the Armenian Diaspora has boosted Karabakh's
economy and that the roads of Karabakh may be the best maintained in the
Caucasus. This is all with thanks to you, our donors and friends. The
overwhelming results from the year-long effort indicate that Armenia
Fund has the mandate worldwide to go beyond the one-day Telethon to
raise money, but systematically cultivate its base of support for years
to come. Armenia Fund USA and its seventeen related affiliates promise
to continue promoting large scale initiatives to further build upon the
large imprint it has made, and as part of its mission, continue to
adhere to stringent processes of accountability that has enabled the
organization to be so successful.
Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability, Armenia
Fund USA is a unique organization in that its sole purpose is to promote
Armenia's growth in order to sustain itself for future generations.
Armenia Fund dedicates itself to supporting large-scale initiatives in
both Armenia and Karabakh and is supported by Armenians world-wide.
Endorsed by all major Armenian political and religious factions, Armenia
Fund maintains its independence from these umbrella organizations and
works closely with the governments of Armenia and Karabakh building
roads, schools, medical facilities, utilities and humanitarian programs,
upholding stringent project oversight measures at every juncture.
Founded in 1992, Armenia Fund USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) representing
the support of Armenian Diasporans in the Eastern United States and was
the first of Hayastan All Armenian Fund's 18 international hubs to help
the homeland. Armenia Fund USA has already helped build 138 miles of
roads, 81 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission
networks, 210 residential buildings and 14 healthcare institutions.
These and all projects initiated by The Fund are designed to not only
ease the hardships of the people of Armenia and Karabakh for the current
time, but more importantly to ensure their continual growth and
productivity for the future.
Armenia Fund USA's mission of accountability is built upon a pledge of
responsibility to benefactors and recipients alike. All contributions
are 100% tax deductible. To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, go to
http://www.armeniafundusa.org <http://www.armeniafundusa.org/> , or
write/call for a free marketing packet at Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (212) 689-5307.
152 Madison Ave, #803
New York, NY 10016
Contact: Lisa Markarian
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-Mail: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
Web: <http://www.armeniafundusa.org/> www.armeniafundusa.org
Armenia Fund USA's Fundraising Efforts Resulted in Unprecedented Success
in the 2004 Telethon
Every Thanksgiving Day marks the annual Armenia Fund Telethon, and this
year was no different. Contributions poured in non-stop from around the
globe to volunteer and staff phone bank operators in The Fund's New York
City and Glendale offices - Germany, Russia, France, England, Holland,
Brazil, Argentina, cities around the US, and even Armenia and Karabakh
are just some countries that got involved. It is a monumental
initiative that brings each and every one of us together, remembering
why we are so scattered, obligating us to rise up to the occasion and
help our homeland. This day echoes the words of William Saroyan from so
long ago, ".for when two Armenians meet anywhere in the world, see if
they will not create a new Armenia". And, that is what the Telethon
proves to do again and again. The North South Highway, a much needed
infrastructure development project in Karabakh has been funded with an
additional $11 million dollars. Doubling the funds contributed in 2003
and putting us at the finish line for completing this bold $25 million
project that started a mere 5 years ago. That is 150 towns and villages
throughout the republic with access to food and other necessities so
basic, the rest of us don't think twice about it. It's no wonder
everyone refers to the North South Highway as the backbone of Karabakh.
Heading the charge of this major fundraising initiative is the
collaboration between Armenia Fund USA based in New York City, serving
all constituents in the Eastern United States, and Armenia Fund Inc.
based in Glendale and serving the constituency in the Western United
States. These are two of the 18 affiliated offices around the world to
Hayastan All Armenian Fund based in Armenia. Each affiliate office
serves the constituency it is indigenous to by adopting infrastructure
development projects in Armenia and Karabakh and directing their own
fundraising campaigns. The North South Highway is the one project that
brings each of these affiliate offices together every year in a
worldwide campaign. What went into the success, broadcasted via the
organization's Thanksgiving Day Telethon, was a year's worth of hard
work. Kevork Toroyan, Board Chairman of Armenia Fund USA, the Eastern
United States affiliate of Hayastan All Armenian Fund reported that the
major fundraising campaign was more than just what was aired on
Thanksgiving Day. It involved inspiring major donation from noteworthy
leaders in the community, mass mailings, advertisements, phonations, and
regional events, all culminating with the global reach of the Telethon
to bring the viewership an interesting program and raise money for a
worthy cause. The program showcased new development footage direct from
Armenia and Karabakh, messages and performances from popular artists
like the MET Opera Singer Isabel Bayrakdarian and Zulal trio of a
capella singers, key note messages from political leaders like
Massachusetts Representative Peter Koutoujian, New Jersey Congressman
Frank Pallone, all among countless other supporters. Broadcasting
reached 45 million households in the US alone, with extended viewing
capabilities from satellite TV and web-casting garnering involvement
from smaller Armenian communities in the US like South Carolina and
Georgia.
This comprehensive campaign designed to direct positive change got off
to an amazing start with the pre-telethon fundraising initiatives hosted
by Armenia Fund USA with the much anticipated delegation visit headed by
Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan and accompanied in part by Himnadram
Executive Director Naira Melkoumian for special engagements and public
speaking appearances in Boston, Detroit, and the New York Metropolitan
area all to drive awareness for the telethon, before heading off to the
studios in Glendale, California. These regional events and other
meetings culminated with nearly $6 million in donations from notable
philanthropic leaders and all other supporters in various Eastern US
cities. On behalf of the Manoogian Simone Foundation, Mrs. Simone
contributed $1 million during pre-telethon fundraising initiatives, with
an additional $1 million pledged as a matching gift incentive. It was a
gracious effort on her part standing true to her convictions recognizing
that, ".the North South Highway is a crucial project to the future
development and stability of Karabakh, one that every Armenian must
extend themselves to help complete." Notable contribution garnered from
other enthusiastic philanthropists include $1 million donations from
Sarkis Acopian, Hirair Hovnanian, and Kevork Hovnanian, $500,000 from
Carolyn Mugar, and $50,000 from Gerard Cafesjian and Hratch Kaprielian.
Over $11million dollars was raised by the end of the Telethon with
generous outpouring of support from all corners of the world - Eastern
United States $5.7 million; Argentina: $1.5 million; Western United
States: $1.4 million; Armenia and Karabakh: $1.1 million; France and
the rest of the world: $1.3 million.
Armenians worldwide should be proud of the teamwork-like effort
generated to "Make it Happen," as the Telethon slogan directed, proving
that the Diaspora is as strong as ever in its support for building
infrastructure to sustain Armenia and Karabakh's security and future.
Sending this kind of message of support only gives credence to "The
Economist" journal's unbiased and unsolicited recent reports indicating
that investment from the Armenian Diaspora has boosted Karabakh's
economy and that the roads of Karabakh may be the best maintained in the
Caucasus. This is all with thanks to you, our donors and friends. The
overwhelming results from the year-long effort indicate that Armenia
Fund has the mandate worldwide to go beyond the one-day Telethon to
raise money, but systematically cultivate its base of support for years
to come. Armenia Fund USA and its seventeen related affiliates promise
to continue promoting large scale initiatives to further build upon the
large imprint it has made, and as part of its mission, continue to
adhere to stringent processes of accountability that has enabled the
organization to be so successful.
Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability, Armenia
Fund USA is a unique organization in that its sole purpose is to promote
Armenia's growth in order to sustain itself for future generations.
Armenia Fund dedicates itself to supporting large-scale initiatives in
both Armenia and Karabakh and is supported by Armenians world-wide.
Endorsed by all major Armenian political and religious factions, Armenia
Fund maintains its independence from these umbrella organizations and
works closely with the governments of Armenia and Karabakh building
roads, schools, medical facilities, utilities and humanitarian programs,
upholding stringent project oversight measures at every juncture.
Founded in 1992, Armenia Fund USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) representing
the support of Armenian Diasporans in the Eastern United States and was
the first of Hayastan All Armenian Fund's 18 international hubs to help
the homeland. Armenia Fund USA has already helped build 138 miles of
roads, 81 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission
networks, 210 residential buildings and 14 healthcare institutions.
These and all projects initiated by The Fund are designed to not only
ease the hardships of the people of Armenia and Karabakh for the current
time, but more importantly to ensure their continual growth and
productivity for the future.
Armenia Fund USA's mission of accountability is built upon a pledge of
responsibility to benefactors and recipients alike. All contributions
are 100% tax deductible. To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, go to
http://www.armeniafundusa.org <http://www.armeniafundusa.org/> , or
write/call for a free marketing packet at Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (212) 689-5307.