GLENDALE—The on-going crisis in Syria continues to take its toll on the Armenians in Syria, from Aleppo to Damascus to Kessab. The Armenian communities from the East Coast continue to donate to the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF), along with continued support from the West Coast.
The Armenian American Nurses Association (AANA), which was organized following the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia, focused its attention on the new crisis. According to the Presidents of the AANA, Dr. Zarmine Naccashian, the nurses were directed to make donations “in lieu of Christmas gifts from AANA.” A total of $3,500 was collected from this effort.
The Glendale Teachers Association (GTA), which is the union that represents over 1,200 teachers in Glendale, is a local chapter of the California Teacher’s Association. Recently, Phyllis Miller, President of the GTA Board of Directors, handed over a check for $500 to Zaven Khanjian, Chairperson of the SARF Executive Committee. Taline Arsenian, Vice President of the GTA, was appreciative of Khanjian’s thoroughness, calling it a “classroom worthy” presentation.
The Armenian Students Association (ASA) at Boston University (BU) in Massachusetts raised $1,000 by providing graduation double cords with the Armenian tricolor. The Lebanese Club at BU provided one-third of the donation. During graduation ceremonies, the students wore the tricolors.
The ASA at Michigan University in Ann Arbor, Mich. raised $3,500; the Detroit Armenian Women’s Club raised $500; the Armenian Inter-Communal Committee of Philadelphia, Pa., raised $1,000; similarly, Raffi Yousefian’s friends in West Friendship, Md. raised $1,000; the Glendale Fighting Club Raised $1,100 at the Mixed Martial Arts Seminar held on May 17th; Mr. & Dr. Abraham & Marianne Yacobian of San Mateo County in Northern California, raised $1,200 for their son’s birthday in lieu of gifts.
In Glendale, Calif., Varoujan Koundakjian’s caring and generous friends celebrated his award of the “Knight of Cilicia” medal granted by His Holiness Aram I, by raising $75,000 to assist the displaced Armenians of Kessab. The event doubled as his 80th birthday party.
Upcoming Fundraiser in New Haven, Conn.
Elizabeth Koobatian, a 12-year old, decided to do a fundraising at Alex & Ani New Haven. She was convincing and will be the host of a fundraiser at 284 New York Street, New Haven, Conn. on Tuesday, June 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Supporters will have 15% of their proceeds donated to SARF. Contact Koobatian at NKBTN3@gmail.com.
Community members concerned with the dire situation facing Syrian Armenians continue to allocate proceeds from birthday parties and in lieu of flower donations to SARF to help our brothers and sisters in Syria. They are facing dangers and harsh living conditions with lack of necessities and to feed their families. The psychological as well as the physical burdens are immense on the children as well as the adults. Your contribution will alleviate some of their needs and give them hope. Please send your tax-deductible contribution to the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund mailing address: P.O. Box 1948, Glendale, CA 91209-1948; or contribute online at www.SyrianArmenianReliefFund.org.
The following churches, charities, and organizations came together to form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund in August 2012: Armenian Catholic Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A.; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party; Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Western U.S.A.; and Social Democrat Hunchakian Party-Western U.S.A.
