LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles’ Armenian community came together once again to show their strength and support for those in need in the motherland. At an event sponsored by Kavar Restaurant at 4777 Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles, members of the community donated to support the vital outreach by Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) in Shinuhayr, Armenia.
More than $8,000 was raised at this special dinner and dance kick-off for the winter holiday season. Participants paid $55 admission, and additional funds were raised through a silent auction, live auction and raffle. “This money will cover five months of the direct costs of our clinic in Shinuhayr,” said RMF Director of Operations Jonathan White. “This will support monthly childhood vaccinations, elderly medicine support, and about 70 home visits per month.”
“We were thrilled to provide the food and facilities for this annual event,” added Kavar Restaurant General Manager Harout Maadenian. “We knew the proceeds for the dinner would go to help our friends and family members served by RMF in Armenia.” Maadenian and his crew provided a rich spread of traditional Armenian food, starting with hearty traditional mezzas including hummus, tobaoule, and cheese and spinach boregs; followed by Armenian salads and a main course of roasted chicken and roast beef, surrounded by rice pilaf, roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables. A special dessert was provided to attendees by Shakar Bakery in Van Nuys, California. Owner Shantal DerBoghosian always supports the work of RMF because more than 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to help the people the money is intended for.
Best Buy of Sherman Oaks general manager Rafael Barragan donated a 46” Sharp flat screen television as the raffle prize for the event, and art for the live and silent auctions was provided by Ani Ishkhanian and Alik Elyejian. Alik and her sister Arax Eleyjian, long time supporters of RMF traveled from the East Coast solely to donate their artwork to the event and support this important cause.
Live entertainment was also provided to attendees through special performances by The Dirty Diamond, Pancho & Sancho, and Heibert Sarian. Singer-Songwriter/Guitarist-Composer Sam Babayan said he committed The Dirty Diamond to this annual event because the cause is so near and dear to his heart. “Times are still hard for so many in our community here in the USA, and donating our music, time and energy to this event is an important conduit to helping RMF raise the money it needs to continue serving the people of Shinuhayr,” he said. Pancho & Sancho added a saucy Latin twist to the evening, and Heibert Sarian’s beautiful Armenian pieces framed the evening with the perfect homage to the mother country.
“Every year, the Armenian community comes together to show the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season,” says organizer Nairy Ghazourian, who has a long history working with RMF and plans to travel to Armenia in 2013 to support the project on the ground. “This year proved once again how grateful Armenians living in America are for their success by sharing it with the less fortunate in our mother country.”
ABOUT REAL MEDICINE FOUNDATION
RMF is at the new frontier of humanitarian aid, creating long-term solutions to health care and poverty-related issues around the globe. By creating efficient models and adaptable solutions, RMF empowers people, providing necessary care and strategic resources to pave the way for communities around the world – in the USA, Africa, Latin America, and Asia – to become strong and self-sufficient. Visit www.realmedicinefoundation.org for more information.
ABOUT DR. MARTINA C. FUCHS
Dr. Martina C. Fuchs is the Founder and CEO of Real Medicine Foundation. She is a physician, specialized in pediatrics, and holds a PhD in Pediatric Psychiatry along with a fellowship in Pediatric Intensive Care. Her international medical career has brought her through Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, California; Dr. Félix Bulnes Hospital, Santiago de Chile, Chile, and now to the helm of Real Medicine Foundation, which she founded in May 2005. Her work began with a children’s clinic in an area devastated by the December 2004 Asian tsunami, and continued when she realized that, while aid for immediate needs is often provided, people’s lives remain shattered long after physical trauma is no longer an issue and the disaster has moved off the front pages. In 2011 Dr. Fuchs was recognized as one of Lifetime Network’s Remarkable Women.
