GLENDALE–The Armenian National Committee ‘sGlendale Chapter welcomed over 250 local supporters, activists, elected officials, and community leaders for its 5th Annual Armenian Christmas Celebration on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Dream Palace Banquet Hall. The event gave guests an opportunity to learn about the organization’s achievemen’s in the past year and meet the newly appointed ANCG Chairman Zanku Armenian and Board of Directors, Armen Abrahamian, Armik Avedissian, Hagop Chopurian, Sarkis Ourfalian, Sarkis Poladian, and Zareh Sinanyan.
Executive Director of ANCG, Elen Asatryan, who served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening opened the program by thanking those present for their continuous support of the Armenian National Committee ‘s Glendale Chapter and for working with the organization on the common goal of bettering the City of Glendale. Father Khoren Habeshian and Father Ardak Demirjian from the Western Prelacy delivered the invocation and gave a brief history lesson about Armenian Christmas.
The keynote address was delivered by ANCG Chairman, Zanku Armenian, who detailed the accomplishmen’s of ANCG in 2008, introduced the Board of Directors, and gave a sneak peek into ANCG and its efforts in 2009.
"We must make 2009 the year we come together as a community and as a city to work for the greater good. This is the imperative of our time," stated Armenian in his address. "The ANC intends to play a leadership role in creating that movement by building bridges with anyone who shares this vision so that our city can achieve its full potential."
This was all topped off with the distribution of certificates to summer and fall 2008 ANCG Internship Program graduates: Talar Malakian, Tatev Oganyan, Patil Kavarian and Jennifer Movsessian.
Guests included Council Members Ara Najarian, Bob Yousefian, former Council Member Rafi Manoukian, Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, Glendale Police Chief Randy G. Adams, Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Members of GUSD Board of Education: Mary Boger, Greg Krikorian, Nayiri Nahabedian, Chakib Sambar, and Joylene Wagner, GCC Board of Trustees Ms. Anita Gabrielian and Mr. Vahe Peroomian, GUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Escalante, City & GUSD Department heads and staff, city commissioners, representatives from community based organizations such as ANC-Western Region, ARS-Sepan Chapter, Armenian Rights Council of America, Davidian & Mariamian Educational Foundation, Glendale Historical Society, Glendale Community Foundation, Glendale Teacher’s Association, Glendale Youth Alliance, Homenetmen Ararat Chapter League of Women Voters, Neighborhood Legal Services, Salvation Army, St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church and others.
ANC Glendale advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels. It is the voice of this vibrant community which advances and enriches Glendale.