Tweet
PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
Press Office
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
email: [email protected]
web: www.farusa.org
_________________________
ARMENIAN S FOLLOW DIASPORAN LEAD
Armenian supporters of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) raise funds
at unique event For the first time Armenia's leading citizens, who see
the positive outcomes of FARs projects, are stepping forward to
support the organization's efforts to bring hope, opportunity, and
empowerment to the nation.
Over the past couple of years, some of Armenia's citizens realized the
continued necessity for FAR's programs, particularly its Children's
Support Center in Yerevan, which proactively works to keep at-risk
children in stable, safe, intact homes.
Dubbed the Circle of Friends, the group coalesced in 2006 under the
chairmanship of former Armenian First Lady Bella Kocharyan and
recently raised more than US$ 100,000 for the Children's Center.
"It is a sign of how important FAR is to the people of Armenia that
Mrs. Kocharyan and many other Armenian dignitaries and luminaries have
become benefactors of FAR and its programs," said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, President of FAR and Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern). "This is a unique start to a new
direction. We are witnessing a new trend when Armenians in Armenia
are stepping forward to take increased responsibility in its
development. This truly shows FAR is not a charity handout but indeed
a partnership with the Armenian people."
The latest effort by the Circle of Friends was a September fundraising
charity dinner with 250 special guests. The evening included an
exhibit of children's artwork, as well as performances by some of the
most popular Armenian celebrities.
In addition to the financial support pledged by the participants, the
evening also saw many in-kind donations to the Children's Center,
including computers, laundry room machines and kitchen equipment, as
well as event tickets, and toys for children.
Along with raising money, the leaders of the Circle of Friends spoke
about the need for people in Armenia to support FAR and its programs.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addressed the gathering via a taped video
message to congratulate the initiative and encourage continued support
of FAR's programs by recruiting new members to the Circle of Friends.
"This event breathed new life into the idea of charity in Armenia,"
said Randy Sapah-Gulian, chairman of the FAR board. "As FAR has
continued to be a true partner to the Armenian people, we are pleased
to see the people of that nation step forward and embrace a culture of
giving, of volunteering, of taking on additional responsibility.
The Republic of Armenia is truly blessed with not just a strong,
supportive Diaspora, but a citizen who understand the future is in
their own hands."
Opened in 1999, FAR's Children's Center served initially as a
short-term sanctuary for homeless children. Today the Center's mission
has shifted, and it has become a full-service facility for at-risk
children and their families. The professionally trained staff of
social workers, psychologists, and nurses work to develop
family-centered solutions to help children in need and provide them
with loving, intact homes.
More than 1,400 children from across Armenia and Karabagh have been
helped at the Center since its founding.
# # #
About FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
hundreds of thousands of people through more than 220 relief and
development programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more
than $265 million in humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide
range of projects including emergency relief, construction, education,
medical aid, and economic development.
For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630
Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212)
889-4849; http://www.farusa.org; e-mail [email protected].
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
Press Office
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
email: [email protected]
web: www.farusa.org
_________________________
ARMENIAN S FOLLOW DIASPORAN LEAD
Armenian supporters of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) raise funds
at unique event For the first time Armenia's leading citizens, who see
the positive outcomes of FARs projects, are stepping forward to
support the organization's efforts to bring hope, opportunity, and
empowerment to the nation.
Over the past couple of years, some of Armenia's citizens realized the
continued necessity for FAR's programs, particularly its Children's
Support Center in Yerevan, which proactively works to keep at-risk
children in stable, safe, intact homes.
Dubbed the Circle of Friends, the group coalesced in 2006 under the
chairmanship of former Armenian First Lady Bella Kocharyan and
recently raised more than US$ 100,000 for the Children's Center.
"It is a sign of how important FAR is to the people of Armenia that
Mrs. Kocharyan and many other Armenian dignitaries and luminaries have
become benefactors of FAR and its programs," said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, President of FAR and Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern). "This is a unique start to a new
direction. We are witnessing a new trend when Armenians in Armenia
are stepping forward to take increased responsibility in its
development. This truly shows FAR is not a charity handout but indeed
a partnership with the Armenian people."
The latest effort by the Circle of Friends was a September fundraising
charity dinner with 250 special guests. The evening included an
exhibit of children's artwork, as well as performances by some of the
most popular Armenian celebrities.
In addition to the financial support pledged by the participants, the
evening also saw many in-kind donations to the Children's Center,
including computers, laundry room machines and kitchen equipment, as
well as event tickets, and toys for children.
Along with raising money, the leaders of the Circle of Friends spoke
about the need for people in Armenia to support FAR and its programs.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addressed the gathering via a taped video
message to congratulate the initiative and encourage continued support
of FAR's programs by recruiting new members to the Circle of Friends.
"This event breathed new life into the idea of charity in Armenia,"
said Randy Sapah-Gulian, chairman of the FAR board. "As FAR has
continued to be a true partner to the Armenian people, we are pleased
to see the people of that nation step forward and embrace a culture of
giving, of volunteering, of taking on additional responsibility.
The Republic of Armenia is truly blessed with not just a strong,
supportive Diaspora, but a citizen who understand the future is in
their own hands."
Opened in 1999, FAR's Children's Center served initially as a
short-term sanctuary for homeless children. Today the Center's mission
has shifted, and it has become a full-service facility for at-risk
children and their families. The professionally trained staff of
social workers, psychologists, and nurses work to develop
family-centered solutions to help children in need and provide them
with loving, intact homes.
More than 1,400 children from across Armenia and Karabagh have been
helped at the Center since its founding.
# # #
About FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
hundreds of thousands of people through more than 220 relief and
development programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more
than $265 million in humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide
range of projects including emergency relief, construction, education,
medical aid, and economic development.
For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630
Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212)
889-4849; http://www.farusa.org; e-mail [email protected].