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  • Glendale: Telethon paves the way

    Telethon paves the way
    By Mark R. Madler, News-Press and Leader

    Glendale News Press
    LATimes.com
    Nov 26 2004

    Armenia Fund raises millions in annual event for highway linking
    villages and economic growth.


    GLENDALE - With hours to go in Thursday's telethon for the Armenia
    Fund, pledges surpassed the amount raised in 2003.

    The fund had a goal of $10 million, to go toward the completion of
    a 105-mile highway in the Karabakh region of Armenia.

    As of 6 p.m., the telethon had raised $8.7 million.

    Gagik Kirakosian, the counsel general of Armenia, said the highway
    was important in the creation of economic development of the region.

    "As a strategic project, it's the best way of connecting all of
    Karabakh," Kirakosian said.

    Originating from Glendale Studios, the 12-hour telethon reached
    45 million households in 25 cities across the country. It was also
    shown in other parts of the world such as Europe, the Middle East
    and Australia, said Sarkis Kotanjian, a public relations consultant
    for Armenia Fund.

    Through phone records, organizers are able to track which speakers and
    entertainers were most effective in getting viewers to donate money,
    Kotanjian said.

    "The quality of the telethon has improved with the use of more
    professionals, instead of all volunteers, and it shows," he added.

    About 500 volunteers participated in the telethon. Even with its
    global reach, there were still many area participants, such as Armenian
    clubs from local schools.

    Arno Khachikyan, a senior at Burbank High School, was at the telethon,
    along with Burbank Unified School District board Vice President Paul
    Krekorian, who presented a $500 check.

    The school is in the process of setting up an Armenian Club that will
    continue to do fundraising, Arno said, who is the Burbank High School
    school board representative.

    "Hopefully, it will be an annual thing with the club doing fundraisers
    and presenting a check to the Armenia Fund," Arno added.

    --Boundary_(ID_4tslo7nJDqI5rGgwvKcQ/A)--
    From: Baghdasarian
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