Tweet
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
Monday, February 22, 2010
New York Young Professionals Rock in Armenian Christmas with $17,500
Donation, Bringing YP Endowment to Over $100,000
Each January, Armenian Christmas reminds us of the unique bond we have
as Armenians and allows for reflection and appreciation of our rich
heritage. In honor of this special holiday, the AGBU Young Professionals
of Greater New York (YPGNY) kicked off 2010 with its most popular
fundraiser. On January 9, 2010, close to 200 Armenian Americans from the
New York metropolitan area gathered at 206 Spring Street for the 9th
Armenian Christmas Cocktail & Silent Auction, welcoming the new decade
with new hope and vision. Holding true to the sentiment "Christmas is
for the children," the sold-out event raised $17,500 for the AGBU
Children's Centers in Armenia. Once again defying the bitter economic
climate, YPGNY continues to rock in Armenian Christmas with impressive
fundraising efforts.
"As we all know, the US economy has seen one of the worst economic
recessions since the Great Depression. What's more upsetting is that in
times like these, we are still more fortunate than a majority of the
children in Armenia. It's a great feeling to be able to help them out,
all while having fun at the AGBU Silent Auction," said volunteer Aram
Babikian. "Through efforts like these, I see how AGBU's investments in
improving Armenia's infrastructure truly come to fruition. I'm proud to
increase my involvement with YPGNY more and more each year because of
it."
The three-floor townhouse in the heart of Manhattan's SoHo district
offered a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, inviting guests to mix and
mingle with friends, old and new, while enjoying a memorable evening of
food, fun, music, and continuous excitement generated with each new bid
until the conclusion of the silent auction. Hailing from Dubai, Arly
Tuysuzian is already looking ahead to attending more YPGNY events.
"Since I'm new to New York, the Silent Auction was really my first AGBU
event in the city. I was so impressed with the venue, the impressive
variety of items for auction, and the number of Armenians that came
together to support the Children's Centers. I had a great time meeting
new people, helping the committee organize the night, and learning how I
could be involved in more of these events."
The evening included a stylish silent auction with items donated from
some of the city's leading businesses and generous individuals. Silent
auction items included restaurant and beauty gift certificates from a
plethora of New York City hotspots, roundtrip airline tickets from New
York to Los Angeles, technological desirables such as the Amazon Kindle
and netbook computers, fashion must-haves from the likes of Alex and
Ani, Hermes, Juliette Jake, Movado, Prada, and Tiffany & Co., sports and
Broadway show tickets, items from designer Michael Aram, and several
pieces of fine jewelry. Among the most coveted pieces available for
auction were works of art from the AGBU Children's Centers that
exhibited the skills of the children and highlighted their role in
continuing the artistic heritage of Armenians. Additional raffle prizes,
including more restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, baskets of scents,
and a personal oil painting studio portrait, were also offered to guests
eager to donate to the cause. YPGNY chairwoman Aline Markarian is
grateful for the outpouring of support. "Each year, as the popularity of
the event grows, so does the amazing kindness of the Armenian and
especially non-Armenian communities alike. Our donors generously open
their hearts, wallets, and businesses so that we can, in turn, fill the
hearts and souls of the children in Armenia with hope," she said.
Catering for the evening's festivities was provided by local food
emporiums Al Bustan Restaurant, Bread & Olive, Delmonico Foods, Hayat
Catering, Krichian Foods, as well as the eternal hearths of the kitchens
of YP members and their families. A special thanks to chef Lina
Markarian for adding professionalism to the culinary flair of the
evening. Glasses were plentifully filled with wine and spirits very
generously donated from a number of individuals and venues, including
Clovis Point Winery and Manhattan Beer Distribution. A generous number
of community supporters contributed their time and services to enhance
the Armenian Christmas event.
Event chair Sheila Kahyaoglu was excited by their accomplishment and
highlighted the many individuals who contributed to the evening's
success. "Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Sandra and Perssy
Mergeanian for their overwhelming support, to Onnig Djingueuzian, our
honorary YP, always young at heart, for his unparalleled enthusiasm and
spirit, and to the entire team at BR Guest Restaurants for embracing our
cause and making this a truly successful evening," she said.
Since 2000, YPGNY has hosted the Armenian Christmas Reception as an
enjoyable and unique way to raise funds for the three Centers in
Yerevan. Despite being so many miles away, they are so close to our
hearts. YPGNY vice chairwoman, Alexis Halejian, knows the wonder of the
Chidren's Centers first hand, "My first interaction with the Children's
Centers was in 2007. I was in Yerevan as an AGBU intern and had the
opportunity to 'sharpen' my Armenian dance skills. Far from perfection
(as many know), I was sent to the best teachers for help -- the students
at the AGBU Nork Children's Center. After weeks of practice, these kids
finally let me and my friends perform in their final show of the school
year. Believe it or not, we got a standing ovation. Being up on the same
stage with these students made us all feel like one of them ... but the
truth is, the way they are growing up is so much different than the way
we did in America."
Back in 1993, AGBU joined forces with the Holy See of Etchmiadzin to
establish the AGBU Children's Centers in the Nork, Arapkir, and Malatya
sections of Yerevan. Providing a constructive after-school environment
to over 3,500 students ages 6 to 16, the Centers cultivate the talents
of young Armenians by broadening their knowledge in courses unavailable
to them at overcrowded public schools. With an administrative staff of
300, the Centers provide four hours of daily instruction in music,
dance, arts & crafts, gymnastics, martial arts, computers, language,
history, as well as developing other practical real-life professional
skills. Throughout the years, over 15,000 students living in low- to
middle- income homes have benefited from this very important program.
Making a global commitment to support the AGBU Children's Centers, YPGNY
established the AGBU YP Endowment in 2002 for their benefit. Now a
pan-YP endeavor, YPGNY makes its share of the global contribution
through monies raised at the Armenian Christmas Reception, as well as
from the annual HALO (Helping Armenia's Little Ones) campaign. Suitable
for recipients of all ages, the YPGNY HALO campaign allows individuals
to give a gift from the heart and simultaneously help children of
Armenia during the holiday season. Donations made in honor of another
loved one, family, or friends are transformed into personalized gift
cards by YPGNY's group of Santa's helpers. This year, close to 100
certificates spread holiday cheer to mailboxes worldwide. Together with
YPGNY's 2010 donation, the AGBU YP Endowment now totals over $100,000.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
AGBU YPGNY is part of a growing network of over two dozen YP groups
around the world run entirely by volunteers who actively engage young
Armenians between the ages of 22 and 40 in the mission of AGBU. To
learn more about YPGNY and how you can be part of the network, email
[email protected].
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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
Monday, February 22, 2010
New York Young Professionals Rock in Armenian Christmas with $17,500
Donation, Bringing YP Endowment to Over $100,000
Each January, Armenian Christmas reminds us of the unique bond we have
as Armenians and allows for reflection and appreciation of our rich
heritage. In honor of this special holiday, the AGBU Young Professionals
of Greater New York (YPGNY) kicked off 2010 with its most popular
fundraiser. On January 9, 2010, close to 200 Armenian Americans from the
New York metropolitan area gathered at 206 Spring Street for the 9th
Armenian Christmas Cocktail & Silent Auction, welcoming the new decade
with new hope and vision. Holding true to the sentiment "Christmas is
for the children," the sold-out event raised $17,500 for the AGBU
Children's Centers in Armenia. Once again defying the bitter economic
climate, YPGNY continues to rock in Armenian Christmas with impressive
fundraising efforts.
"As we all know, the US economy has seen one of the worst economic
recessions since the Great Depression. What's more upsetting is that in
times like these, we are still more fortunate than a majority of the
children in Armenia. It's a great feeling to be able to help them out,
all while having fun at the AGBU Silent Auction," said volunteer Aram
Babikian. "Through efforts like these, I see how AGBU's investments in
improving Armenia's infrastructure truly come to fruition. I'm proud to
increase my involvement with YPGNY more and more each year because of
it."
The three-floor townhouse in the heart of Manhattan's SoHo district
offered a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, inviting guests to mix and
mingle with friends, old and new, while enjoying a memorable evening of
food, fun, music, and continuous excitement generated with each new bid
until the conclusion of the silent auction. Hailing from Dubai, Arly
Tuysuzian is already looking ahead to attending more YPGNY events.
"Since I'm new to New York, the Silent Auction was really my first AGBU
event in the city. I was so impressed with the venue, the impressive
variety of items for auction, and the number of Armenians that came
together to support the Children's Centers. I had a great time meeting
new people, helping the committee organize the night, and learning how I
could be involved in more of these events."
The evening included a stylish silent auction with items donated from
some of the city's leading businesses and generous individuals. Silent
auction items included restaurant and beauty gift certificates from a
plethora of New York City hotspots, roundtrip airline tickets from New
York to Los Angeles, technological desirables such as the Amazon Kindle
and netbook computers, fashion must-haves from the likes of Alex and
Ani, Hermes, Juliette Jake, Movado, Prada, and Tiffany & Co., sports and
Broadway show tickets, items from designer Michael Aram, and several
pieces of fine jewelry. Among the most coveted pieces available for
auction were works of art from the AGBU Children's Centers that
exhibited the skills of the children and highlighted their role in
continuing the artistic heritage of Armenians. Additional raffle prizes,
including more restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, baskets of scents,
and a personal oil painting studio portrait, were also offered to guests
eager to donate to the cause. YPGNY chairwoman Aline Markarian is
grateful for the outpouring of support. "Each year, as the popularity of
the event grows, so does the amazing kindness of the Armenian and
especially non-Armenian communities alike. Our donors generously open
their hearts, wallets, and businesses so that we can, in turn, fill the
hearts and souls of the children in Armenia with hope," she said.
Catering for the evening's festivities was provided by local food
emporiums Al Bustan Restaurant, Bread & Olive, Delmonico Foods, Hayat
Catering, Krichian Foods, as well as the eternal hearths of the kitchens
of YP members and their families. A special thanks to chef Lina
Markarian for adding professionalism to the culinary flair of the
evening. Glasses were plentifully filled with wine and spirits very
generously donated from a number of individuals and venues, including
Clovis Point Winery and Manhattan Beer Distribution. A generous number
of community supporters contributed their time and services to enhance
the Armenian Christmas event.
Event chair Sheila Kahyaoglu was excited by their accomplishment and
highlighted the many individuals who contributed to the evening's
success. "Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Sandra and Perssy
Mergeanian for their overwhelming support, to Onnig Djingueuzian, our
honorary YP, always young at heart, for his unparalleled enthusiasm and
spirit, and to the entire team at BR Guest Restaurants for embracing our
cause and making this a truly successful evening," she said.
Since 2000, YPGNY has hosted the Armenian Christmas Reception as an
enjoyable and unique way to raise funds for the three Centers in
Yerevan. Despite being so many miles away, they are so close to our
hearts. YPGNY vice chairwoman, Alexis Halejian, knows the wonder of the
Chidren's Centers first hand, "My first interaction with the Children's
Centers was in 2007. I was in Yerevan as an AGBU intern and had the
opportunity to 'sharpen' my Armenian dance skills. Far from perfection
(as many know), I was sent to the best teachers for help -- the students
at the AGBU Nork Children's Center. After weeks of practice, these kids
finally let me and my friends perform in their final show of the school
year. Believe it or not, we got a standing ovation. Being up on the same
stage with these students made us all feel like one of them ... but the
truth is, the way they are growing up is so much different than the way
we did in America."
Back in 1993, AGBU joined forces with the Holy See of Etchmiadzin to
establish the AGBU Children's Centers in the Nork, Arapkir, and Malatya
sections of Yerevan. Providing a constructive after-school environment
to over 3,500 students ages 6 to 16, the Centers cultivate the talents
of young Armenians by broadening their knowledge in courses unavailable
to them at overcrowded public schools. With an administrative staff of
300, the Centers provide four hours of daily instruction in music,
dance, arts & crafts, gymnastics, martial arts, computers, language,
history, as well as developing other practical real-life professional
skills. Throughout the years, over 15,000 students living in low- to
middle- income homes have benefited from this very important program.
Making a global commitment to support the AGBU Children's Centers, YPGNY
established the AGBU YP Endowment in 2002 for their benefit. Now a
pan-YP endeavor, YPGNY makes its share of the global contribution
through monies raised at the Armenian Christmas Reception, as well as
from the annual HALO (Helping Armenia's Little Ones) campaign. Suitable
for recipients of all ages, the YPGNY HALO campaign allows individuals
to give a gift from the heart and simultaneously help children of
Armenia during the holiday season. Donations made in honor of another
loved one, family, or friends are transformed into personalized gift
cards by YPGNY's group of Santa's helpers. This year, close to 100
certificates spread holiday cheer to mailboxes worldwide. Together with
YPGNY's 2010 donation, the AGBU YP Endowment now totals over $100,000.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
AGBU YPGNY is part of a growing network of over two dozen YP groups
around the world run entirely by volunteers who actively engage young
Armenians between the ages of 22 and 40 in the mission of AGBU. To
learn more about YPGNY and how you can be part of the network, email
[email protected].
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress