GLENDALE—Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Aghabekyan, who was in Southern California this past week for the unveiling of the Armenia Fund Telethon 2013 logo, was invited to the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA Regional Executive offices in Glendale on October 21 to give a briefing on the status of projects in Artsakh.
Lena Bozoyan, Chairperson of the Regional Executive made the welcoming remarks and introduced the decorated Lieutenant General, who has participated with distinction in the liberation struggle of Artsakh. Aghabekyan praised the ARS for serving the people of Artsakh since the liberation struggle.
Aghabekyan addressed a select audience of ARS Regional and Chapter executives about the Armenia Fund’s latest project, stressing the importance of funding the construction of the Vardenis-Martakert highway linking northern Armenia and northern Artsakh.
He was accompanied by the Armenia Fund of USA Western Region Chairman, Antranig Baghdassarian, and Executive Director Sarkis Kotanjian. ARS Central Executive Board Chairperson Vicky Marashlian, Regional Executive board members, former ARS Regional Executive Chairpersons and current Chapter Executive chairpersons attended the briefing, which was followed by a reception in Aghabekyan’s honor.
Baghdassarian, also invited to speak, appealed to the ARS to help in the fundraising for the Thanksgiving Day Telethon. The ARS is a member agency of Armenia Fund and participates in the Telethon each year. ARS members and supporters are urged to pass on their donations and pledges to their local ARS chapters or the Regional Executive by November 25, 2013.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more than 1,200 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. The ARS Regional Executive headquarters are at 517 W. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202. For further information, please visit www.arswestusa.org or call (818) 500-1343.
