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ARS GALA HONORS VOLUNTEERS AND CELEBRATES WESTERN REGION
asbarez
Friday, May 4th, 2012
ARS members who were honored during the banquet
GLENDALE-The entrance of sixty ARS honorees clad in tricolor ribbons
entering the Glendale Hilton Hotel's Grand Ballroom on Friday, April
27th for the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA's Gala 2012
sparked an overwhelming sentiment of joy for over 500 guests, whose
standing ovation proved a most inspiring start to an eventful evening.
Each of the honorees was selected by their respective chapter of the
ARS Western USA region to be recognized, on the occasion of the gala,
for their excellence in service in categories including long-time
member, financially supportive member, and exemplary member.
The momentous entrance followed with the start of the evening's
official program, commencing with welcoming remarks by Masters of
Ceremony Grigor Ogaryan and Talar Aintablian, who introduced the
evening's guests. His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
ARS Central Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian and Board Member
Rosie Bedrossian, ACF Representative Anahit Aprahamian, Asbarez
Editor Apo Boghigian, Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti,
Greg Krikorian of the Glendale Unified School District Board of
Education, and representatives of sister organizations had joined
ARS members and supporters for the celebratory evening. Thereafter,
tenor Raffi Kerbabian sang the national and ARS anthems, accompanied
by pianist Hovsep Torossian.
Following the invocation by Archbishop Mardirossian, Prelate of the
Western Prelacy, guests watched a video message received for the
occasion by Congressman Adam Schiff, after which they mingled and
enjoyed dinner as entertainment was provided by an Armenian Folklore
Music Group, directed by Ruben Haroutunyan.
Chairperson of the ARS Regional Executive Board Dr. Nyree Derderian
delivered remarks and paid special mention to the commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide that took place a few days prior on April 24th. She
stated, "Three days ago, the Armenian nation commemorated the 97th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a time of mourning, a time that
no Armenian will ever forget. At that time, this nearly five-year
old organization founded in the Diaspora, known today as the ARS,
was by the side of Armenians during these horrific days assisting
the displaced Armenians, who had survived the atrocities and found
themselves in foreign lands mourning the loss of their loved ones..."
Derderian touched on the local and international programs of the ARS
of Western USA and congratulated the region's 28th anniversary.
Recognizing the ARS honorees, she further stated, "We celebrate our
members, who through their dedicated years of service have always
risen to the call of action. To be honored by your peers is the
highest honor that can be bestowed on a person..."
Derderian introduced the keynote speaker, Judge Houry Sanderson,
an active member of the ARS Fresno "Sophia" Chapter, whose topic
covered "The Volunteer and the Code of Conduct of the Volunteer,"
discussing the meaning of a true volunteer, its importance, and
providing interesting information on volunteering rates among
demographic groups. "We have rebuilt ourselves on the shoulders of
an orphaned generation, which had the power to persevere, preserve
and sustain itself to build the next several generations. We are
the beneficiaries of their hard work and it is our responsibility,
individually and collectively, and our duty to carry that work forward
into the next millennium."
As a means of introducing the ARS honorees to guests, a video
presentation displayed personal photos of each of the 60 distinguished
individuals. Later, a ceremony symbolizing the perpetuation of the
ARS in an everlasting light ensued with 45 candle lighters, ranging
from ARS chapters to supporters, illuminating their candles.
The ARS Regional Executive Board recognized Sona Zinzalian, ARS Social
Services Executive Director, for her 30 years of service and presented
her with a plaque in gratitude.
Also, Sevag Saghdejian and Nayeri Saghdejian-Kassajikian of
Specialty Car Craft, which organized its First Annual Memorial Run
on the occasion of April 24th where all proceeds benefited the ARS
Armenia-Artsakh Orphans' Fund, presented a $25,000 check to the ARS.
Throughout the evening, a recitation of a Baruyr Sevag poem by Grigor
Ogaryan, the enjoyable selection of songs by tenor Raffi Kerbabian, as
well as a duet by soprano Rima Garabedian and tenor Suren Mkrtchian,
kept guests entertained and buzzing about their performances. A
silent auction was also held in the lobby area with exclusive items
by Le Papillon.
Guests left in high spirits and renewed faith in the programs and
activities of the ARS Western USA region. The success of the event is
due in large part to the efforts of the organizing committee, headed
by Jasik Jarahian, General Manager of the ARS Regional Headquarters.
asbarez
Friday, May 4th, 2012
ARS members who were honored during the banquet
GLENDALE-The entrance of sixty ARS honorees clad in tricolor ribbons
entering the Glendale Hilton Hotel's Grand Ballroom on Friday, April
27th for the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA's Gala 2012
sparked an overwhelming sentiment of joy for over 500 guests, whose
standing ovation proved a most inspiring start to an eventful evening.
Each of the honorees was selected by their respective chapter of the
ARS Western USA region to be recognized, on the occasion of the gala,
for their excellence in service in categories including long-time
member, financially supportive member, and exemplary member.
The momentous entrance followed with the start of the evening's
official program, commencing with welcoming remarks by Masters of
Ceremony Grigor Ogaryan and Talar Aintablian, who introduced the
evening's guests. His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
ARS Central Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian and Board Member
Rosie Bedrossian, ACF Representative Anahit Aprahamian, Asbarez
Editor Apo Boghigian, Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric Garcetti,
Greg Krikorian of the Glendale Unified School District Board of
Education, and representatives of sister organizations had joined
ARS members and supporters for the celebratory evening. Thereafter,
tenor Raffi Kerbabian sang the national and ARS anthems, accompanied
by pianist Hovsep Torossian.
Following the invocation by Archbishop Mardirossian, Prelate of the
Western Prelacy, guests watched a video message received for the
occasion by Congressman Adam Schiff, after which they mingled and
enjoyed dinner as entertainment was provided by an Armenian Folklore
Music Group, directed by Ruben Haroutunyan.
Chairperson of the ARS Regional Executive Board Dr. Nyree Derderian
delivered remarks and paid special mention to the commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide that took place a few days prior on April 24th. She
stated, "Three days ago, the Armenian nation commemorated the 97th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a time of mourning, a time that
no Armenian will ever forget. At that time, this nearly five-year
old organization founded in the Diaspora, known today as the ARS,
was by the side of Armenians during these horrific days assisting
the displaced Armenians, who had survived the atrocities and found
themselves in foreign lands mourning the loss of their loved ones..."
Derderian touched on the local and international programs of the ARS
of Western USA and congratulated the region's 28th anniversary.
Recognizing the ARS honorees, she further stated, "We celebrate our
members, who through their dedicated years of service have always
risen to the call of action. To be honored by your peers is the
highest honor that can be bestowed on a person..."
Derderian introduced the keynote speaker, Judge Houry Sanderson,
an active member of the ARS Fresno "Sophia" Chapter, whose topic
covered "The Volunteer and the Code of Conduct of the Volunteer,"
discussing the meaning of a true volunteer, its importance, and
providing interesting information on volunteering rates among
demographic groups. "We have rebuilt ourselves on the shoulders of
an orphaned generation, which had the power to persevere, preserve
and sustain itself to build the next several generations. We are
the beneficiaries of their hard work and it is our responsibility,
individually and collectively, and our duty to carry that work forward
into the next millennium."
As a means of introducing the ARS honorees to guests, a video
presentation displayed personal photos of each of the 60 distinguished
individuals. Later, a ceremony symbolizing the perpetuation of the
ARS in an everlasting light ensued with 45 candle lighters, ranging
from ARS chapters to supporters, illuminating their candles.
The ARS Regional Executive Board recognized Sona Zinzalian, ARS Social
Services Executive Director, for her 30 years of service and presented
her with a plaque in gratitude.
Also, Sevag Saghdejian and Nayeri Saghdejian-Kassajikian of
Specialty Car Craft, which organized its First Annual Memorial Run
on the occasion of April 24th where all proceeds benefited the ARS
Armenia-Artsakh Orphans' Fund, presented a $25,000 check to the ARS.
Throughout the evening, a recitation of a Baruyr Sevag poem by Grigor
Ogaryan, the enjoyable selection of songs by tenor Raffi Kerbabian, as
well as a duet by soprano Rima Garabedian and tenor Suren Mkrtchian,
kept guests entertained and buzzing about their performances. A
silent auction was also held in the lobby area with exclusive items
by Le Papillon.
Guests left in high spirits and renewed faith in the programs and
activities of the ARS Western USA region. The success of the event is
due in large part to the efforts of the organizing committee, headed
by Jasik Jarahian, General Manager of the ARS Regional Headquarters.