Momentum to Help Syrian Armenians Continues with a $250K Transfer

GLENDALE—The Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF), a consortium of religious, political and charity organizations in the Western U.S.A. made another milestone by making a third transfer of funds for Syrian Armenians. Meher Der Ohannessian, treasurer of the SARF Executive Committee, reported that a $250,000 transfer was made to the Catholicosate of Cilicia account set up especially for Syrian Armenian relief efforts.

The latest transfer was possible after a concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium was held on November 11, 2012, and other ongoing fundraising efforts. A dinner organized by the “Kaghouteh Kaghout” volunteers, which was held at the Pasadena Armenian Center on October 26, 2012, raised $48,000. A breakfast fundraiser was held on November 5, 2012, at the Lomita Armenian Center and raised $3,500 for Syrian Armenian relief.

The Homenetmen Western U.S.A. Region held a Regional Convention November 9 through 11, 2012, at the Kevork Andonian Hall and raised $3,000 from the delegates with the determination that the fundraising will continue at the chapter level.

The Knights of Vartan, Southwest District, held a fundraising dinner for Syrian Armenians on November 18, 2012, at St. Peters Armenian Church, Karagozian Hall in Van Nuys, California, and raised $7,500.

On November 18, 2012, a concert was held at the Saroyan Hall of the Khachaturian Armenian Center in San Francisco. The combined efforts of the Bay Area community raised $50,000. AGBU Silicon Valley Chairperson Yervant Zorian emceed the event. Local artists sang, played musical instruments, recited poetry and danced. In addition, Lilit Pipoyan from Armenia and Vicken Tarpinian from France, who had participated in the Pasadena concert, also performed. Zaven Khanjian, Chairperson of the SARF Executive Committee, delivered the keynote address. Judy Jingirian, Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A., Regional Executive Board member, an organizing committee member, read the supportive letters from Congresswomen Jackie Speier (District 12) and Anna Eshoo (District 14).

The crisis in Syria continues. Share your Christmas gifts with the Syrian Armenians by mailing your tax-exempt contribution to Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, P.O. Box 1948, Glendale, CA 91209-1948 or by credit card at www.SyrianArmenianReliefFund.org.

The following churches, charities and organizations came together to form the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund: 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.