GLENDALE–During a gala banquet on June 10 at the Glendale Hilton Hotel–$500,000 was raised by the Glendale chapter of the Armenian Cultural Foundation for the construction of its Community Youth Center.
More than 450 community members attended the event–among them Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian–Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Dr. Viken Hovsepian–members of the ARF Western Region Central Committee–Glendale City Council members–the City Manager and representatives from the Glendale Police Department–as well as representatives of several city educational and civic departmen’s–the center’s benefactor Dr. Alber Karamanoukian and members of several organizations in Glendale.
Masters of Ceremony–Glendale ANC Director Alina Azizian and Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian welcomed the guests and invited Archbishop Mardirossian to present the invocation. In his remarks–the Prelate urged the community members to support the efforts of the Glendale ACF chapter and highlighted the importance of a youth center in the community. He recalled that the groundbreaking and the blessing of the center was conducted by His Holiness Aram I–Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.
In his remarks–Glendale ACF chairman Nazareth Apanian explained that the needs of the community propelled the organization to initiate this worthwhile project.
"Until the completion of the Glendale ACF Community Youth Center–fundraising will be our priority," stressed Apanian who explained that the center has an estimated price tag of $2.5 million and the assistance and support of each community member is imperative.
"Let us make this center the pride of this community and center for all its members," proclaimed Apanian.
The keynote speakers of the evening–Glendale High School Principal Kathy Fundukian–St. Mary’s Armenian Church Pastor Rev. Vasken Atmajian and Glendale Police Captain Ray Edey–each echoed the need for a community youth center and expressed support for this project–pledging their individual assistance in their respective spheres of influence.
A 15-minute video screening presented a three dimensional view of the center’s exterior and interior facilities.
The Armenia and American national anthems were performed by Anahid Nersesian–while she and Razmig Mansourian provided the entertainment for the evening. A special presentation was also staged by the Armenian Relief Society Glendale chapter Saturday School students.