GLENDALE—The Los Angeles Chapter of Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) is hosting “Wish Upon a Star” on June 16th, 2012 in Pasadena at the beautiful Ambassador Mansions and Gardens. SOAR hopes to raise additional funds for five computer labs for the children in the orphanages in Armenia and send humanitarian relief to the Armenian orphans in the Diaspora.
“We invite you to be among the guests at a “Wish Upon a Star”, where we expect that 300 guests will enjoy wonderful food, fun entertainment including world renowned violinist Yelena Yegoryan, comedian Ara Basil and a tango show, an exclusive silent auction, full coverage of the event by Yerevan magazine and the company of good friends – not to mention the unparalleled ambiance – all supporting the good work of SOAR!,” said Kohar Mardirossian Pelter, the President of SOAR-LA.
The Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenian children. Working with a loyal donor base and a trusted network of partners, SOAR distributes clothing, educational supplies, medicine, and other essential resources to orphaned Armenian children throughout the world.
What a great opportunity to help others learn about orphans! The need worldwide is huge (with more than 147 million orphans). I’m always encouraged to see different groups stepping up to make a difference!
Douglas Riggle, President
Orphan World Relief
Dear Mr. Riggle;
You error in comparing the orphan situation in Armenia with some sort of calamity worldwide. First of all, I worked as a social ministery in the family and women’s section of Armenia. Armenian children in orphanages are not parentless and therefore do not constitute being “orphaned”. However, over 99% of the children are classified as “social orphans” because of our great economic issues, the children of parents who leave for Russia, Dubai, Georgia for work simply put their children in the care of our orphanages for shelter, food and education.
Not trying to downplay the number that you are throwing out, but Armenia simply doesn’t fit that category. We work nicely with World Vision, Children of Armenia Fund, Armenian Relief Efforts, Armenian Relief Society and more.
Simply put, we are building schools, and a future for our children. Not merely putting band aids on the situation with gifts at Christmas time. We are putting their parents to work.
Adoption is a last resort, we prefer our children to stay in Armenia. In rare occasions under 70 adoption internationally is considered especially for our children with disabilities and other medical needs. These are spread between France, Germany, USA, Italy and hopefully soon Canada, Argentina. With over 300 of the adoptable children adopted domesctically within the Armenian Republic.
The efforts of these groups is greatly appreciated but the best outcomes is that our orphanages would cease to have existance. Poverty is usually the reason children are in orphanages not because they are orphans.