GLENDALE—The Armenian Cultural Foundation on Thursday announced that long-time community leaders and benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Hacop and Mina Shirvanian will be honored at the organization’s 40th anniversary Gala Dinner on March 6.
The couple, whose philanthropy and leadership has shaped the fabric of the Armenian-American community in Los Angeles, will receive the ACF’s “Couple of the Year” award.
This year, the ACF annual gala, which has become a much-anticipated event in the community, will mark the organization’s 40th anniversary of service to the community. It will take place on Sunday, March 6 at the Rodeo Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills. The elegant event will kick off with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. with dinner and program to follow at 6 p.m.
The Shirvanians, who are decades-long supporters of the ACF, since arriving in Los Angeles in 1956, have been very active in the Armenian community life. Mina Shirvanian helped establish the Armenian Society of Los Angeles (Iranahye) and was one of its first presidents. Hacob Shirvanian served several years as the Vice President of the Ferrahian High School Board of Governors. They have supported numerous organizations, including the Western Prelacy Of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Ferrahian High School, Armenian National Committee, Armenian Relief Society, Armenia Fund, and many others.
For their service to the community, the Shirvanians have been recognized by Catholicos Karekin II with the Knight of Cilicia Award and Catholicos Aram I with the Prince of Cilicia Award. The Shirvanians were presented Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh’s highest civilian medal by Former Karabakh President, Arkady Ghukasian. They were also honored by the Armenian National Committee of America0Western Region with the Legacy Award, the Armenian Relief Society Western USA and the Adventist Hospital Foundation with the Philanthropy Award.
The Shirvanians have also been active in U.S. politics. Hacop Shirvanian has the distinction of being the only Armenian who was appointed by five consecutive governors – Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis – to various state boards and commissions.
This past December at a small dinner-celebration, the Shirvanians announced a donation of $50,000 to jump start the “We are Gyumri” project, the first phase of which has kicked off with the renovation of the Armenian Youth Center in Gyumri. The Shirvanians generous donation helped to realize that project and advance the construction efforts.
For more information about the ACF 40th Anniversary Gala contact (818) 243-9219.
My father, Jacob Adjinian,also grandfather of Jack Hadjinian, Councilman for the City of Montebello, had the great fortune for working with the Shirvanians when my family arrived to Los Angeles in the late 60’s. The Shirvanians helped my family a lot and I am grateful for that. Hacop and Mina Shirvanian are great people and great Armenians, God bless them and God bless the Armenian Cultural Foundation.