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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April 9, 2009
YP Northern California Winter Gala Weekend Attracts Hundreds, Raises
$6,000 for American University in Armenia Scholarships
San Francisco - Over 200 Armenian Young Professionals from around the
globe gathered in San Francisco, California for the 10th Winter Gala
Getaway Weekend on February 20, 2009. The annual affair, organized by
AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California (AGBU-YPNC), raised
$6,000 for scholarships at the AGBU-funded American University of
Armenia (AUA), an American-accredited university.
The Winter Gala is an opportunity for friends, new and old, to network
with fellow professionals of Armenian descent in a friendly social
setting. The weekend began at Cossu, a San Francisco hotspot, where DJ
Raffy spun his international beats all night long.
On Saturday, guests took advantage of the unusually sunny and warm
weather to plan city tours, visit landmarks and shop in Union Square.
After a day of relaxation and exploration, guests traveled to the
city's SOMA district for the Gala Evening at San Francisco's 111 Minna
Art Gallery against a backdrop of breathtaking skyline and Minna's
edgy, contemporary artwork. Rev. Father Nercess Balabanyan of the
Armenian Calvary Church gave a heartfelt blessing, followed by a warm
welcome from Gala Chairpersons Steven Cherezian and Arsineh Ghazarian.
"The Winter Gala is, hands down, the most incredible Armenian event I
have ever attended," Ghazarian said. "It brings Armenians from around
the world together for an amazing weekend and unites them under a
shared purpose -- support of an Armenian cause."
On behalf of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, AGBU YP Liaison Kim
Yacoubian from New York presented a special award to the AGBU Young
Professionals of Northern California Chairwoman Emily Kluczynski and
former Chairman Edward Minasian to mark the group's 10-year
anniversary and a decade of extraordinary service to the Armenian
community and to AGBU. As one of AGBU's first YP Groups established in
1998, AGBU YP Northern California has matured into a formidable
presence serving the YP community in the Bay area as well as the AGBU
family.
Back by popular request, Khatchig Jingirian and his band provided the
musical entertainment for the evening and the party continued with a
post-dance event at the world-renowned nightclub Ruby Skye. Weekend
festivities officially concluded with a private brunch at Rouge and
Blanc Wine Bar, which was catered by the chef at the neighboring Café
De La Presse.
"There is real joy in bringing Armenians together in our gorgeous city
for a really great cause," exclaimed Gala committee member, Alison
Ekizian. "It's exciting to draw our community together and twice as
rewarding to do it in the spirit of philanthropy."
The AGBU-YPNC chose the AUA as this year's recipient for their annual
philanthropy. The funds will go towards providing scholarships for
outstanding AUA students. "Education is one of the best ways we can
give back to Armenia," says AGBU-YPNC Chair Emily Kluczynski. "Helping
the students of today helps the Armenia of tomorrow."
The AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California are committed to
preserving and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information
on YPNC, please email [email protected], or visit www.agbuypnc.org.
For more information about the AGBU YP Network, please visit
www.agbu.org/yp or AGBU's flagship website www.agbu.org.
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April 9, 2009
YP Northern California Winter Gala Weekend Attracts Hundreds, Raises
$6,000 for American University in Armenia Scholarships
San Francisco - Over 200 Armenian Young Professionals from around the
globe gathered in San Francisco, California for the 10th Winter Gala
Getaway Weekend on February 20, 2009. The annual affair, organized by
AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California (AGBU-YPNC), raised
$6,000 for scholarships at the AGBU-funded American University of
Armenia (AUA), an American-accredited university.
The Winter Gala is an opportunity for friends, new and old, to network
with fellow professionals of Armenian descent in a friendly social
setting. The weekend began at Cossu, a San Francisco hotspot, where DJ
Raffy spun his international beats all night long.
On Saturday, guests took advantage of the unusually sunny and warm
weather to plan city tours, visit landmarks and shop in Union Square.
After a day of relaxation and exploration, guests traveled to the
city's SOMA district for the Gala Evening at San Francisco's 111 Minna
Art Gallery against a backdrop of breathtaking skyline and Minna's
edgy, contemporary artwork. Rev. Father Nercess Balabanyan of the
Armenian Calvary Church gave a heartfelt blessing, followed by a warm
welcome from Gala Chairpersons Steven Cherezian and Arsineh Ghazarian.
"The Winter Gala is, hands down, the most incredible Armenian event I
have ever attended," Ghazarian said. "It brings Armenians from around
the world together for an amazing weekend and unites them under a
shared purpose -- support of an Armenian cause."
On behalf of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, AGBU YP Liaison Kim
Yacoubian from New York presented a special award to the AGBU Young
Professionals of Northern California Chairwoman Emily Kluczynski and
former Chairman Edward Minasian to mark the group's 10-year
anniversary and a decade of extraordinary service to the Armenian
community and to AGBU. As one of AGBU's first YP Groups established in
1998, AGBU YP Northern California has matured into a formidable
presence serving the YP community in the Bay area as well as the AGBU
family.
Back by popular request, Khatchig Jingirian and his band provided the
musical entertainment for the evening and the party continued with a
post-dance event at the world-renowned nightclub Ruby Skye. Weekend
festivities officially concluded with a private brunch at Rouge and
Blanc Wine Bar, which was catered by the chef at the neighboring Café
De La Presse.
"There is real joy in bringing Armenians together in our gorgeous city
for a really great cause," exclaimed Gala committee member, Alison
Ekizian. "It's exciting to draw our community together and twice as
rewarding to do it in the spirit of philanthropy."
The AGBU-YPNC chose the AUA as this year's recipient for their annual
philanthropy. The funds will go towards providing scholarships for
outstanding AUA students. "Education is one of the best ways we can
give back to Armenia," says AGBU-YPNC Chair Emily Kluczynski. "Helping
the students of today helps the Armenia of tomorrow."
The AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California are committed to
preserving and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information
on YPNC, please email [email protected], or visit www.agbuypnc.org.
For more information about the AGBU YP Network, please visit
www.agbu.org/yp or AGBU's flagship website www.agbu.org.