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ARS GALA HONORS 46 MEMBERS AND UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE
http://asbarez.com/109428/ars-gala-honors-46-members-and-unveils-new-website-2/
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
ARS chapter honorees
GLENDALE-For the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA (ARS-WUSA)
members and supporters, the weekend of April 5 to 7 gave great cause
to celebrate. The announcements of $250,000 in pledges and donations
and the honoring of 46 ARS volunteers created a very festive mood at
the Gala on Friday, April 5.
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Solakyan, Major Banquet Sponsor are presented a plaque
by ARS Regional Executive
There was a chance to acknowledge the consistent and loyal support of
long-time members, some serving in the ARS for as long as 50 years,
at Saturday's Member Appreciation Day festivities. And there was the
opportunity to take stock of accomplishments and be reminded of the
roots of the organization and its mission during ARS Day on Sunday.
Banquet Diamond Sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Harry Najarian
The April 5 Gala, held at the Glendale Hilton Hotel, was attended by
550 people. Dignitaries, public officials and community association
leaders included Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Congressman Adam Schiff (CA 28th District), Senator Carol Liu
(25th Senate District), ARS Central Executive Board members Annie
Kechichian and Rosie Bedrossian, California State Assemblymember
Adrin Nazarian (District 46), City of Los Angeles Councilmember Paul
Krekorian (District 2), newly re-elected Glendale City Councilmember
Ara Najarian and Glendale City Treasurer Rafi Manoukian.
Schiff congratulated the ARS "for serving the most vulnerable amongst
us with compassion, dedication and a great heart." He made the most
cogent remark about the humanitarian organization, whose membership is
almost entirely women. "The ARS confirms what I have always wondered
about the Armenian community: that Armenian men are strong and together
they can move mountains; but Armenian women can move the entire world,"
said Schiff.
Leading a call to ARS members to "renew our oath in service of the
Armenian people," Lena Bozoyan, ARS Regional Executive Chairperson,
noted the dire situation being faced by the Syrian Armenians, and
the continuing needs in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk. She thanked
the ARS sponsors and donors for their help in meeting those needs,
particularly Mr. & Mrs. Sam and Suzanna Solakyan, who were the Major
Banquet Sponsors ($20,000), and Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Cheryl Najarian,
who were Diamond sponsors ($10,000). Recalling a recent meeting with
Mr. Solakyan, Bozoyan explained his enthusiasm about contributing
to the work of the ARS. In addition, Bozoyan recognized Antranig
Baghdassarian of Karoun Dairies, with an ARS Legacy Award.
Baghdassarian had pledged $100,000 in honor of his wife Seta, toward
an endowment fund for battered women.
ARS chapters had selected 44 members to be honored at the Gala for
their volunteer accomplishments during the past year, and the Regional
Executive honored two additional members for their volunteer efforts,
Dr. Nyree Derderian and Rita Hintlian. Bozoyan said both honorees
unconditionally serve the ARS and sister organizations and are
inspiring role models and committed "HOM-ouhies". She noted that Dr.
Derderian, the former ARS-WUSA Regional Executive Chairperson, who is
a parliamentarian, has shared her knowledge of parliamentary procedures
and prepared a handbook for new members. Bozoyan lauded Rita Hintlian,
chair of the ARS Public Relations committee and an integral member of
the ARS Day committee, for enriching the ARS with her technological and
organizational knowledge. Congressman Adam Schiff issued Certificates
of Special Congressional Recognition to both honorees in recognition
of outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Derderian and
Hintlian also received Certificates of Recognition from California
Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (District 46).
Rep. Adam Schiff praises ARS activities during speech
Bozoyan proudly unveiled the redesigned ARS-WUSA website, which is now
accessible from multiple platforms and browsers (www.arswestusa.org).
She praised the ARS volunteers and staff for their hard work throughout
the year, and acknowledged the volunteers of the Gala committee,
headed by ARS-WUSA General Manager Jasik Jarahian.
Welcoming remarks were made by Grigor Ogaryan, a poet and artist,
and Janet Shamilian, a former ARS Intern, who is graduating from USC
and interning with Congressman Adam Schiff.
Tenor Raffi Kerbabian sang the national and ARS anthems, with Hovsep
Torrosian, accompanying him on the piano.
Dr. Nyree Derderian and Rita Hintlian were honored by City Councilman
Paul Krekorian
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian delivered the
invocation, praying for the ARS family. The Prelate congratulated the
ARS 103rd anniversary and honorees, praised the role and the vital
mission of the ARS in the survival, advancement and overall welfare
of the Armenian people, and noted that His Holiness Catholicos Aram
I has dedicated 2013 to the Armenian Mothers.
The program continued with performance of "Torna a Sorento" and
"Hayastan" by Tenor Raffi Kerbabian and a recitation by Ogaryan.
Entertainment was provided by Arbi Gharibian and Lou Varoujan Band. A
candle lighting ceremony by sponsors concluded the festive program.
The event sponsors, donors, and friends of the ARS raised $100,000
during the program, and the silent auction. That, together with
the Baghdassarian pledge and an announcement by Councilmember Paul
Krekorian of $50,000 in grant money to an ARS Social Services office
in North Hollywood, brought the total to $250,000 in funds for the ARS.
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/109428/ars-gala-honors-46-members-and-unveils-new-website-2/
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
ARS chapter honorees
GLENDALE-For the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA (ARS-WUSA)
members and supporters, the weekend of April 5 to 7 gave great cause
to celebrate. The announcements of $250,000 in pledges and donations
and the honoring of 46 ARS volunteers created a very festive mood at
the Gala on Friday, April 5.
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Solakyan, Major Banquet Sponsor are presented a plaque
by ARS Regional Executive
There was a chance to acknowledge the consistent and loyal support of
long-time members, some serving in the ARS for as long as 50 years,
at Saturday's Member Appreciation Day festivities. And there was the
opportunity to take stock of accomplishments and be reminded of the
roots of the organization and its mission during ARS Day on Sunday.
Banquet Diamond Sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Harry Najarian
The April 5 Gala, held at the Glendale Hilton Hotel, was attended by
550 people. Dignitaries, public officials and community association
leaders included Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Congressman Adam Schiff (CA 28th District), Senator Carol Liu
(25th Senate District), ARS Central Executive Board members Annie
Kechichian and Rosie Bedrossian, California State Assemblymember
Adrin Nazarian (District 46), City of Los Angeles Councilmember Paul
Krekorian (District 2), newly re-elected Glendale City Councilmember
Ara Najarian and Glendale City Treasurer Rafi Manoukian.
Schiff congratulated the ARS "for serving the most vulnerable amongst
us with compassion, dedication and a great heart." He made the most
cogent remark about the humanitarian organization, whose membership is
almost entirely women. "The ARS confirms what I have always wondered
about the Armenian community: that Armenian men are strong and together
they can move mountains; but Armenian women can move the entire world,"
said Schiff.
Leading a call to ARS members to "renew our oath in service of the
Armenian people," Lena Bozoyan, ARS Regional Executive Chairperson,
noted the dire situation being faced by the Syrian Armenians, and
the continuing needs in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk. She thanked
the ARS sponsors and donors for their help in meeting those needs,
particularly Mr. & Mrs. Sam and Suzanna Solakyan, who were the Major
Banquet Sponsors ($20,000), and Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Cheryl Najarian,
who were Diamond sponsors ($10,000). Recalling a recent meeting with
Mr. Solakyan, Bozoyan explained his enthusiasm about contributing
to the work of the ARS. In addition, Bozoyan recognized Antranig
Baghdassarian of Karoun Dairies, with an ARS Legacy Award.
Baghdassarian had pledged $100,000 in honor of his wife Seta, toward
an endowment fund for battered women.
ARS chapters had selected 44 members to be honored at the Gala for
their volunteer accomplishments during the past year, and the Regional
Executive honored two additional members for their volunteer efforts,
Dr. Nyree Derderian and Rita Hintlian. Bozoyan said both honorees
unconditionally serve the ARS and sister organizations and are
inspiring role models and committed "HOM-ouhies". She noted that Dr.
Derderian, the former ARS-WUSA Regional Executive Chairperson, who is
a parliamentarian, has shared her knowledge of parliamentary procedures
and prepared a handbook for new members. Bozoyan lauded Rita Hintlian,
chair of the ARS Public Relations committee and an integral member of
the ARS Day committee, for enriching the ARS with her technological and
organizational knowledge. Congressman Adam Schiff issued Certificates
of Special Congressional Recognition to both honorees in recognition
of outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Derderian and
Hintlian also received Certificates of Recognition from California
Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (District 46).
Rep. Adam Schiff praises ARS activities during speech
Bozoyan proudly unveiled the redesigned ARS-WUSA website, which is now
accessible from multiple platforms and browsers (www.arswestusa.org).
She praised the ARS volunteers and staff for their hard work throughout
the year, and acknowledged the volunteers of the Gala committee,
headed by ARS-WUSA General Manager Jasik Jarahian.
Welcoming remarks were made by Grigor Ogaryan, a poet and artist,
and Janet Shamilian, a former ARS Intern, who is graduating from USC
and interning with Congressman Adam Schiff.
Tenor Raffi Kerbabian sang the national and ARS anthems, with Hovsep
Torrosian, accompanying him on the piano.
Dr. Nyree Derderian and Rita Hintlian were honored by City Councilman
Paul Krekorian
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian delivered the
invocation, praying for the ARS family. The Prelate congratulated the
ARS 103rd anniversary and honorees, praised the role and the vital
mission of the ARS in the survival, advancement and overall welfare
of the Armenian people, and noted that His Holiness Catholicos Aram
I has dedicated 2013 to the Armenian Mothers.
The program continued with performance of "Torna a Sorento" and
"Hayastan" by Tenor Raffi Kerbabian and a recitation by Ogaryan.
Entertainment was provided by Arbi Gharibian and Lou Varoujan Band. A
candle lighting ceremony by sponsors concluded the festive program.
The event sponsors, donors, and friends of the ARS raised $100,000
during the program, and the silent auction. That, together with
the Baghdassarian pledge and an announcement by Councilmember Paul
Krekorian of $50,000 in grant money to an ARS Social Services office
in North Hollywood, brought the total to $250,000 in funds for the ARS.
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.