PASADENA—The ANCA – Pasadena Chapter hosted a “Cigar Night” fundraiser on Wednesday, December 12th 2012 at the popular Mediterranean Garden Grill Restaurant in Monrovia.
The sold-out event included supporters, friends, and prominent members of the community including former State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, current Pasadena Councilmember Gene Masuda, Pasadena Police Commander John Perez, Pasadena City Treasurer Vic Erganian, coordinating committee members of the Arcadia Greek Festival Jim Cristos, and Harry Kouladjian of the Pasadena Armenian Police Advisory Committee (PAPAC). The event was organized by the ANCA – Pasadena Chapter Board Members with ANCA activist David George Gevorkyan (Gevorkyan) serving as the evening’s Master of Ceremony.
The ANCA – Pasadena Chapter received significant contributions from friends and supporters, raising funds for activities geared toward its 2013 Organizational Platform projects, which builds on the ANCA – Pasadena Chapter’s success in 2012. Specifically, in 2012, the ANCA – Pasadena Chapter worked on the implementation of GenEd, a joint project with the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) to incorporate Genocide Education into the schools’ curriculum. Furthermore, , the Pasadena Chapter’s immediate involvement with Pasadena’s Redistricting efforts helped ensure fair and balanced citywide representation. During the election season, the Pasadena Chapter worked on increasing the number of registered voters, secured favorable results with the 41st State Assembly District election, and worked continuously to strengthen community relations with local government and civic organizations.
In 2012, the ANCA – Pasadena Chapter held representation on the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee (PAGMC). ANCA – Pasadena Chapter Chairperson Shoghig Yepremian has led coordinating and selection efforts for the Genocide Memorial proposals arriving from artists from as far as Switzerland to as local as the Pasadena Art Center. ANCA activist Gevorkyan serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the PAGMC.
In 2012, several community outreach efforts and special events were also held at the Pasadena Armenian Youth Center under the leadership of board members Yepremian, Donig Donabedian, Vatche Sarkissian, Vahe Majarian and Greg Abajian, as well as Nareene Karakashian, who led Education-related efforts with the PUSD. In addition, Yepremian, along with Karakashian, worked with Hye Votes and Pasadena League of Women Voters to promote and increase voter registration in the City of Pasadena.
With the implementation of its 2013 Organizational Platform underway, the ANCA – Pasadena Chapter has developed additional avenues of engagement between Pasadena non-profits, ANCA’s sister organizations, City and State officials, and the general public for the betterment of the Pasadena community. The Pasadena Chapter expresses its gratitude for the support and shared values of all participants and to the host of the venue of the “Cigar Night” fundraiser. Through continued support, the ANCA – Pasadena Chapter will continue to bring measurable results in the coming year of 2013 and beyond.