GLENDALE—The Armenian Relief Society of Western US will hold an ARS Day Celebration on Sunday, April 7 at 6 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise St., Glendale, CA.
Celebrating 103 years of service by remembering the past, appraising the present and passing on the torch to the future generations, the program will feature the Glendale Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Michael Avedissian, along with Soprano Nune Genjoyan and Tenor Suren Mkrtchyan.
The ARS as an organization, throughout its history, has reached out to those most in need, has provided the young generation opportunities to excel, and has supported the preservation of the Armenian culture. These qualities have endured through the Armenian Genocide, through many wars, earthquakes and disasters.
The ARS has done so because supporters and members have provided the means to get the job done. Benefactors like “Mayr” Sophia Hagopian (1885-1967) who was born in Paghesh (Bitlis) and endured her life as an orphan of the 1895-96 massacres, before settling in Fresno, California by 1905, knew what it meant to help orphans and for decades led her ARS Mayr Chapter of Fresno by her own example, leaving a legacy of supporting the ARS, orphans, the Asbarez and Hairenik newspapers, and establishing Armenian centers, schools and home for the aged.
Generations of ARS members have continued in the paths set by “Mayr” Sophia Hagopian, and made their own paths to meet the ever-changing local and global needs.
Anahid Meymarian, a member of the organizing committee, explained, “For us members, to celebrate the ARS Day means to renew our vows for service, to find strength in each other, and to enlighten the new generation in the joy of service.”
Be a part of the future of the ARS by celebrating with ARS members on their day. Share the joy of the ARS accomplishments for over a century on Sunday, April 7th, at 6 pm, at First Baptist Church of Glendale. The program is open to the public.
A gala event will precede the ARS Day program on Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m., at the Glendale Hilton Hotel, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA.
For further information, please contact the ARS regional headquarters at (818) 500-1343 or office@arswestusa.org.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more than 1,500 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.
