BURBANK, CA— On January 9, 2012, local elected officials, city staff, community leaders and residents gathered at the Burbank Armenian Center for the Armenian National Committee of Burbank’s (ANCB) Annual Christmas Celebration. The event gave guests an opportunity to meet the organization’s newly elected Board of Directors and learn about ANCB’s plan of action for 2012.
Annette Kargodorian, who served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening kicked of the program with a short history game about Armenian Christmas followed by an overview of the organization’s goals for 2012.
“We are very pleased with the event’s turnout,” stated Silva Kechichian, ANC Burbank Chair. “For decades, ANCB has organized the Armenian Christmas celebration to provide an avenue through which community leaders and members can meet their local legislators’ representatives, city council members, school board members, and city officials, while having an opportunity discuss issues of concern to the community in a casual setting. We look forward to holding the event in our new center next year” added Silva Kechichian.
This was all topped off with the unveiling and distribution of the ANCB Rebirth Humanitarian Scholarship Fund made possible by Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center in partnership with Woodbury University through which four students were awarded a total of $2,500 in scholarships. The scholarship signifies the re-birth of 200 Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders who were arrested in Istanbul (Constantinople) on April 24, 1915 and systematically murdered, thereby leading to the first genocide of the 20th century.
Recipients of the scholarships included Woodbury University students Eliza Donikyan, $250; Grigor Khachikyan, $500; Vergine Touloumian, $750; and Robert Asaturyan, $1,000.
Armond Aghakhanian who helped establish the scholarship fund stated, “It is about a future where mankind can live in peace and harmony regardless of their religion, color, ethnicity or beliefs…..a future that has learned from its past”. An appreciation plaque was presented to the Glendale Memorial Hospital for their generous donation.
Armenian National Committee of Burbank advances the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
