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PASSING ON THE TORCH ON ARS DAY
http://asbarez.com/109390/passing-on-the-torch-on-ars-day/
Monday, April 15th, 2013
Capacity crowd celebrates ARS Day
GLENDALE-Three generations of Armenian Relief Society members
participated in the ARS Day Celebration on April 7 at the First Baptist
Church of Glendale. The program, which was attended by a full house,
also included ARS Saturday School students and the Glendale Chamber
Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Michael Avedissian, along with Soprano
Nune Genjoyan and Tenor Suren Lazarian.
Following the singing of anthems by ARS Saturday School students from
several chapters, the welcoming remarks were made by Taleen Hindoyan.
She welcomed Rev. Father Vazken Atmajian, the ARS Central Executive
Board representative Annie Kechichian, Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Wesern US Central Committee representative Dr. Vken
Yacoubian, Executive Council Chairperson Rima Boghossian,
representatives of church, school and community organizations,
guests and ARS members. She also introduced the theme of the program,
"Seroonteh Seroont" or Passing on the Torch.
Three-generations of ARSers, who are members of the "Sosse" Chapter
of Pasadena, include Taleen Hindoyan. She thanked her grandmother,
Nevart Der Ohannessian, and mother, Nova Hindoyan, whose steps she
followed into the ARS. Her sister, Nanor Hindoyan, also came along
to represent her generation.
Der Ohannessian said that the vast needs of the people following the
Armenian Genocide moved her generation to be involved in charitable
works. She added that her generation inspired their daughters and the
next generations to continue their work in the ARS. Nova Hindoyan,
reassured that the ARS continues its legacy in this century devoted to
serve the people, to uphold the Armenian language and culture, assist
the orphans and protect women's rights. She added that her generation
renews its oath for service and passes on the enthusiasm for service to
the next generation. Nanor Hindoyan said that her generation has the
obligation to continue the legacy of the ARS members. They are armed
with education, leadership training, and technological tools, strive
to work efficiently and wholeheartedly stay true to their calling.
An overview of the history of the ARS, since it was founded in New
York City in 1910, was presented on video covering the ARS of Western
USA and the activities in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk. The videos
provided the progression of the ARS accomplishments through the
Genocide, wars and conflicts, and how certain programs, such as the
"Bnag meh geragoor" (a bowl of food), were implemented in different
parts of the world at different times to meet needs.
Arousyak Melkonian, a member of the ARS Anahid Chapter, recited the
poem, "Ays Kouyrereh" (These Sisters) dedicated to the ARS by Jacques
Hagopian, while photographs of ARSers from earlier and recent time
appeared on the screen.
Gayane Demirjian of the ARS "Ani" Chapter in Montebello, California,
attended the event with her daughter, Nevair Markarian, and
grand-daughter, Nairy Demirjian, of the ARS "Nairy" Chapter of
Montebello. Markarian said that the ARS activities are based on the
foundations set by the past members, to serve all the vulnerable
population. She said that with programs such as "One Orphan,
One Gold" or "A Bowl of Food", the earlier generations proved that
awareness and belief in the ARS mission are vital to their successful
implementation. Nairy Demirjian said that the ARS vision for helping
the needy and preservation of the Armenian culture has reached them
from generations of ARS-ers, who dedicated their lives for service
of others. She added that her generation pledged to continue in
their footsteps.
ARS Mayr Chapter Saturday School students Erik Jahuryan, Hakob
Kachanyan, and Shoushanik Gabrielyan were led by the latter in
recitation of a poem dedicated to the preservation of the Armenian
language.
Annie Kechichian, ARS Central Executive Board representative, delivered
her message. She said that the ARS approach to band together and work
collectively was vital in the response to the catastrophic crisis
being faced by Syrian Armenians, and the continuation of the other ARS
programs in Armenia and the Diaspora. The Armenian schools in Syria
were the recipients of the first wave of assistance. Since then, the
dimensions of the critical needs has expanded and ARS participation in
community-wide world-wide fundraising efforts is continuing. Hence,
extra fundraising efforts are needed. Kechichian also noted the ARS
activities at the United Nations for women's and children's rights, and
how the involvement of the younger generation is important to respond
in this fast-paced society. She concluded her remarks congratulating
the Western USA region.
The last video segment included a clip of the ARS of Western USA,
Regional Executive Chairperson Lena Bozoyan's remarks during the ARS
Gala, which was held on April 5, 2013. Bozoyan upheld the dedication
of the members in their volunteer efforts. She noted that His Holiness
declared the year 2013 to be the year of the Armenian mothers, the date
of the gala coincided with the date that Mother's Day is celebrated in
Armenia and that ARS members, with or without being mothers, exemplify
motherhood in their service to the community. The members who have
passed away were remembered for the legacy that they left behind.
"We call upon the community and all our members to find new ways of
attracting professional youth to join our ranks. Together, we will
continue following in our organization's mission with renewed vigor,"
stressed Bozoyan.
Eighteen members of the Glendale Chamber orchestra under the baton
of maestro Michael Avedissian, charmed the audience with their music,
and as they accompanied Tenor Suren Lazarian and Soprano Nune Genjoyan
in solos, and duets of "Erepouni" and "Sartarabad." ARS Sepan Chapter
Saturday School student Mariam Lazarian accompanied them, as a symbol
of the continuation of the generations. The audience gave a standing
ovation, and the ARS Day concluded with an encore performance of
"Sartarabad." It was a great way to end a 3-day weekend of ARS
celebrations.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and
with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more
than 1,500 members in five western states. The ARS-WUSA operates a
Social Services Division and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center,
and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief efforts.
For further information, please visit www.arswestusa.org or call
818.500.1343.
http://asbarez.com/109390/passing-on-the-torch-on-ars-day/
Monday, April 15th, 2013
Capacity crowd celebrates ARS Day
GLENDALE-Three generations of Armenian Relief Society members
participated in the ARS Day Celebration on April 7 at the First Baptist
Church of Glendale. The program, which was attended by a full house,
also included ARS Saturday School students and the Glendale Chamber
Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Michael Avedissian, along with Soprano
Nune Genjoyan and Tenor Suren Lazarian.
Following the singing of anthems by ARS Saturday School students from
several chapters, the welcoming remarks were made by Taleen Hindoyan.
She welcomed Rev. Father Vazken Atmajian, the ARS Central Executive
Board representative Annie Kechichian, Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Wesern US Central Committee representative Dr. Vken
Yacoubian, Executive Council Chairperson Rima Boghossian,
representatives of church, school and community organizations,
guests and ARS members. She also introduced the theme of the program,
"Seroonteh Seroont" or Passing on the Torch.
Three-generations of ARSers, who are members of the "Sosse" Chapter
of Pasadena, include Taleen Hindoyan. She thanked her grandmother,
Nevart Der Ohannessian, and mother, Nova Hindoyan, whose steps she
followed into the ARS. Her sister, Nanor Hindoyan, also came along
to represent her generation.
Der Ohannessian said that the vast needs of the people following the
Armenian Genocide moved her generation to be involved in charitable
works. She added that her generation inspired their daughters and the
next generations to continue their work in the ARS. Nova Hindoyan,
reassured that the ARS continues its legacy in this century devoted to
serve the people, to uphold the Armenian language and culture, assist
the orphans and protect women's rights. She added that her generation
renews its oath for service and passes on the enthusiasm for service to
the next generation. Nanor Hindoyan said that her generation has the
obligation to continue the legacy of the ARS members. They are armed
with education, leadership training, and technological tools, strive
to work efficiently and wholeheartedly stay true to their calling.
An overview of the history of the ARS, since it was founded in New
York City in 1910, was presented on video covering the ARS of Western
USA and the activities in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk. The videos
provided the progression of the ARS accomplishments through the
Genocide, wars and conflicts, and how certain programs, such as the
"Bnag meh geragoor" (a bowl of food), were implemented in different
parts of the world at different times to meet needs.
Arousyak Melkonian, a member of the ARS Anahid Chapter, recited the
poem, "Ays Kouyrereh" (These Sisters) dedicated to the ARS by Jacques
Hagopian, while photographs of ARSers from earlier and recent time
appeared on the screen.
Gayane Demirjian of the ARS "Ani" Chapter in Montebello, California,
attended the event with her daughter, Nevair Markarian, and
grand-daughter, Nairy Demirjian, of the ARS "Nairy" Chapter of
Montebello. Markarian said that the ARS activities are based on the
foundations set by the past members, to serve all the vulnerable
population. She said that with programs such as "One Orphan,
One Gold" or "A Bowl of Food", the earlier generations proved that
awareness and belief in the ARS mission are vital to their successful
implementation. Nairy Demirjian said that the ARS vision for helping
the needy and preservation of the Armenian culture has reached them
from generations of ARS-ers, who dedicated their lives for service
of others. She added that her generation pledged to continue in
their footsteps.
ARS Mayr Chapter Saturday School students Erik Jahuryan, Hakob
Kachanyan, and Shoushanik Gabrielyan were led by the latter in
recitation of a poem dedicated to the preservation of the Armenian
language.
Annie Kechichian, ARS Central Executive Board representative, delivered
her message. She said that the ARS approach to band together and work
collectively was vital in the response to the catastrophic crisis
being faced by Syrian Armenians, and the continuation of the other ARS
programs in Armenia and the Diaspora. The Armenian schools in Syria
were the recipients of the first wave of assistance. Since then, the
dimensions of the critical needs has expanded and ARS participation in
community-wide world-wide fundraising efforts is continuing. Hence,
extra fundraising efforts are needed. Kechichian also noted the ARS
activities at the United Nations for women's and children's rights, and
how the involvement of the younger generation is important to respond
in this fast-paced society. She concluded her remarks congratulating
the Western USA region.
The last video segment included a clip of the ARS of Western USA,
Regional Executive Chairperson Lena Bozoyan's remarks during the ARS
Gala, which was held on April 5, 2013. Bozoyan upheld the dedication
of the members in their volunteer efforts. She noted that His Holiness
declared the year 2013 to be the year of the Armenian mothers, the date
of the gala coincided with the date that Mother's Day is celebrated in
Armenia and that ARS members, with or without being mothers, exemplify
motherhood in their service to the community. The members who have
passed away were remembered for the legacy that they left behind.
"We call upon the community and all our members to find new ways of
attracting professional youth to join our ranks. Together, we will
continue following in our organization's mission with renewed vigor,"
stressed Bozoyan.
Eighteen members of the Glendale Chamber orchestra under the baton
of maestro Michael Avedissian, charmed the audience with their music,
and as they accompanied Tenor Suren Lazarian and Soprano Nune Genjoyan
in solos, and duets of "Erepouni" and "Sartarabad." ARS Sepan Chapter
Saturday School student Mariam Lazarian accompanied them, as a symbol
of the continuation of the generations. The audience gave a standing
ovation, and the ARS Day concluded with an encore performance of
"Sartarabad." It was a great way to end a 3-day weekend of ARS
celebrations.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and
with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more
than 1,500 members in five western states. The ARS-WUSA operates a
Social Services Division and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center,
and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief efforts.
For further information, please visit www.arswestusa.org or call
818.500.1343.