GLENDALE—Performers Nune Avetisyan and Hovannes Shahbazian entertained to celebrate the “Year of the Armenian Mother” and raise funds for Armenian Relief Society (ARS) programs in the Western United States on December 8, 2013, at the Brandview Banquet Hall in Glendale, California.
ARS-WUSA General Manager Jasik Jarahian, who emceed the event, explained that His Holiness Catholicos Aram I had declared the year 2013 as the “Year of the Armenian Mother.” Photographs of early 20th Century famous Armenian mothers lined the hall, along with Christmas decorations. ARS Central Executive Board Member, Annie Kechician, who is the liaison to the western region, attended the event.
ARS-WUSA Regional Executive Chairperson Lena Bozoyan presented the key address, praising mothers and ARS members for their motherly love, for providing hope, warmth, confidence and security for the organizations and people of the community. Bozoyan looked back on how Armenian mothers acted throughout history with self-sacrifice to uphold their homes and people. She applauded the role of the ARS members in helping those in need as well as passing our history and culture to the youth.
Bozoyan asked the attendees to remember during our Christmas celebrations: the Armenians of Syria, wherever they are; families experiencing financial crises; women being subjected to domestic violence; soldiers protecting our national borders; and Javakhk villagers struggling to live under harsh conditions. She thanked Jasik Jarahian and Maro Kechichian for their role in the success of the event, and all the sponsors, members and guests for their contributions.
The event continued with beautiful combination of poetic messages and recitations by artist and TV personality Nune Avetisyan, and musical performance by singer Hovhannes Shahbazyan. In addition, brave and talented ARS members and guests came on stage to perform for a friendly audience.
The holiday atmosphere lifted the spirits and helped to raise funds for vital ARS programs.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more than 1,200 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.
