Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Victims' telethon collects $92,000

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Victims' telethon collects $92,000

    Los Angeles Daily News, CA
    Sept 16 2005

    Victims' telethon collects $92,000
    By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer



    GLENDALE - A telethon on an Armenian-American cable channel netted
    more than $92,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief, with the money going
    to the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the American Red Cross.
    Armenian-Americans packed the alley behind the studio of the Armenian
    Media Group of America's studio at 1520 Glenoaks Blvd., bearing
    checks and money orders to help victims of the hurricane. Most
    donations were between $50 and $100, and $3,000 was the biggest
    single check.

    "This was from the people," said broadcaster Chahe Keuroghelian, 48,
    who led the telethon effort. "That is (more) important, in my
    opinion, than necessarily the amount itself.

    "It (being) collected from the regular citizens with limited income,
    that needs to be appreciated."

    Wednesday, Keuroghelian presented more than $92,000 in donations to
    the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the American Red Cross.
    Including the money from the telethon, the Red Cross chapter has
    collected $210,000 for hurricane relief.

    Many donors remembered American generosity after Armenia was rocked
    by a disastrous earthquake in 1988. The quake killed 25,000 people
    and left 500,000 homeless, according to U.S. government Web sites.

    "We were overwhelmed with the generosity that the people have shown,"
    said Ron Farina, executive director of the Glendale-Crescenta Valley
    chapter of the American Red Cross. "They, I believe, understand how
    disasters can devastate a community because they were so badly hit
    back in the Armenian community in '88. So they can relate to this."

    The telethon started Monday evening and went until 2 a.m. Tuesday on
    Channel 26 in Glendale. Broadcasters on the channel continued issuing
    pleas for donations on the days after the initial telethon.

    Keuroghelian, who has a show on Channel 26 but also works as an
    immigration attorney, said he expects additional donations that will
    bring the total to at least $100,000.

    Meanwhile, the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the Red Cross has
    35 volunteers working in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to
    help hurricane and flood victims. Another 50 volunteers are waiting
    to go.

    "The thing that's holding us back is sometimes flights are not
    available from California to the area," Farina said.

    Revo Coffee and Cigarette Cafe will hold a jazz concert today from 8
    to 10 p.m. at 1022 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale, to raise money for
    Hurricane Katrina relief, with donations going to the Salvation Army.
    For information, call (818) 549-0809.
Working...
X