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INAUGURAL FUNDRAISER FOR SOAR HELD IN CHICAGO
http://www.reporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=293C0600-A8C8-11E0-AAF80003FF3452C2&pagewanted=all
Published: Thursday July 07, 2011
Guests at SOAR's Chicago fundraiser.
Chicago - A beautiful rooftop residence on Lakeshore Drive, overlooking
Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago skyline, was the spectacular
venue for the first annual charity fundraiser of the Chicago Chapter
of SOAR, the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief.
The event was held on Saturday evening June 4, 2011, at the exclusive
residence donated for the event by Dr. Kevin and Deana Bargamian.
Nearly one hundred guests were welcomed to the rooftop event by Anne
Galovich, Chicago SOAR chapter president. Guest speaker was Dr. Levon
Saryan from Greenfield, Wisconsin, who spoke about the existing
conditions of orphanages in Armenia and the importance of providing
aid and support for the most disadvantaged children in the country.
Two guest artists showcasing examples of their work were in
attendance: Boris Khechoyan, a master woodcarver from St. Louis,
Missouri, and Dr. Chuck "Garbo" Hajinian, a Monet-style Armenian
impressionist painter/artist from Delafield, Wisconsin. Both artists
offered several pieces from their work for the silent auction, as did
renowned artist and designer Michael Aram who provided signed pieces
from his collection. Proceeds from the silent auction will be used
to support sixteen orphanages in Armenia as well as two orphanages
in Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) that are part of the SOAR network.
The theme of the evening was "Our Armenia, Our Children". Upon
arrival, guests were escorted to the rooftop by two young ladies
dressed in traditional Armenian costume, Melissa Mardoian and Nora
Dulkadir. Armenian appetizers generously provided by several volunteers
(Betty Arakelian, Aline Nigohosian, Pearl Gopoian, Violet Bargamian,
and Bonnie Baboorian) as well as wine and soft drinks were served. A
four-piece band of Chicago-area musicians composed of Jimmy Hardy,
John Paklaian, Shahan Alexanian and Mark Gavoor provided musical
accompaniment for the event. Chicago magician "Mr. Ash" Ashod
Baboorian entertained guests with demonstrations of magic and assorted
card tricks . Flower arrangements for the evening were graciously
donated by Sylvia and Hratch Yacoubian of Magic Flowers in Harwood
Heights. Graphics were provided by Michelle Goodman, and printing
was by Erin Grogan of United Graphics and Mailing Group. The evening
ended with a display of fireworks at Navy Pier which guests enjoyed
from the rooftop balcony.
Free-will contributions and proceeds from the silent auction netted
over $5,000 which will be used to aid needy orphanages in Armenia.
SOAR, Inc., founded in 2006 and headquartered in Philadelphia, is a
501-c3 non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to providing
support for orphanages in Armenia and Karabagh. Working with a
loyal donor base and a trusted network of partners in Armenia, SOAR
distributes much needed food, clothing, medicine, educational supplies,
and other essential resources to orphanages in Armenia. SOAR has
chapters in New England, NewYork/New Jersey, Delaware, Washington,
Chicago, Northern California, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Idaho, and
an office in Yerevan.
The Chicago Chapter of the Society for Orphaned Armenian relief was
founded in March of 2010. Officers are Anne Galovich (President),
Deanna Bargamian (Vice President), David Baboorian (Treasurer),
Eric Diekhans (Secretary), Lucie Ishkhanian and Ardem Hardy. Visit
www.soar-us.org or contact us at [email protected] on how to
get involved.
http://www.reporter.am/index.cfm?objectid=293C0600-A8C8-11E0-AAF80003FF3452C2&pagewanted=all
Published: Thursday July 07, 2011
Guests at SOAR's Chicago fundraiser.
Chicago - A beautiful rooftop residence on Lakeshore Drive, overlooking
Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago skyline, was the spectacular
venue for the first annual charity fundraiser of the Chicago Chapter
of SOAR, the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief.
The event was held on Saturday evening June 4, 2011, at the exclusive
residence donated for the event by Dr. Kevin and Deana Bargamian.
Nearly one hundred guests were welcomed to the rooftop event by Anne
Galovich, Chicago SOAR chapter president. Guest speaker was Dr. Levon
Saryan from Greenfield, Wisconsin, who spoke about the existing
conditions of orphanages in Armenia and the importance of providing
aid and support for the most disadvantaged children in the country.
Two guest artists showcasing examples of their work were in
attendance: Boris Khechoyan, a master woodcarver from St. Louis,
Missouri, and Dr. Chuck "Garbo" Hajinian, a Monet-style Armenian
impressionist painter/artist from Delafield, Wisconsin. Both artists
offered several pieces from their work for the silent auction, as did
renowned artist and designer Michael Aram who provided signed pieces
from his collection. Proceeds from the silent auction will be used
to support sixteen orphanages in Armenia as well as two orphanages
in Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) that are part of the SOAR network.
The theme of the evening was "Our Armenia, Our Children". Upon
arrival, guests were escorted to the rooftop by two young ladies
dressed in traditional Armenian costume, Melissa Mardoian and Nora
Dulkadir. Armenian appetizers generously provided by several volunteers
(Betty Arakelian, Aline Nigohosian, Pearl Gopoian, Violet Bargamian,
and Bonnie Baboorian) as well as wine and soft drinks were served. A
four-piece band of Chicago-area musicians composed of Jimmy Hardy,
John Paklaian, Shahan Alexanian and Mark Gavoor provided musical
accompaniment for the event. Chicago magician "Mr. Ash" Ashod
Baboorian entertained guests with demonstrations of magic and assorted
card tricks . Flower arrangements for the evening were graciously
donated by Sylvia and Hratch Yacoubian of Magic Flowers in Harwood
Heights. Graphics were provided by Michelle Goodman, and printing
was by Erin Grogan of United Graphics and Mailing Group. The evening
ended with a display of fireworks at Navy Pier which guests enjoyed
from the rooftop balcony.
Free-will contributions and proceeds from the silent auction netted
over $5,000 which will be used to aid needy orphanages in Armenia.
SOAR, Inc., founded in 2006 and headquartered in Philadelphia, is a
501-c3 non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to providing
support for orphanages in Armenia and Karabagh. Working with a
loyal donor base and a trusted network of partners in Armenia, SOAR
distributes much needed food, clothing, medicine, educational supplies,
and other essential resources to orphanages in Armenia. SOAR has
chapters in New England, NewYork/New Jersey, Delaware, Washington,
Chicago, Northern California, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Idaho, and
an office in Yerevan.
The Chicago Chapter of the Society for Orphaned Armenian relief was
founded in March of 2010. Officers are Anne Galovich (President),
Deanna Bargamian (Vice President), David Baboorian (Treasurer),
Eric Diekhans (Secretary), Lucie Ishkhanian and Ardem Hardy. Visit
www.soar-us.org or contact us at [email protected] on how to
get involved.