News Advisory
March 25, 2004

Armenia Fund, Inc., (AFI)
Khachatur Khudikyan
Tel: 818 243-6222
Fax: 818 243-7222
E-mail: info@armeniafund.org

AFI to Raise Awareness and Expand Outreach Efforts

-AFI to Generate Momentum for Crucial Development Projects in Armenia
and Karabagh-

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 25) – The Armenia Fund, Inc., (AFI), under new
leadership, announced yesterday its objectives and goals for the
upcoming year. Laying out strategy that will take AFI beyond 2004, the
organization hopes to build on the foundations of the past, while
transitioning and implementing new and innovative outreach and
fundraising projects to benefit the Republic of Armenia and Karabagh.
Since her appointment as chairperson of AFI, Maria Mehranian has met
with numerous community leaders and organizations throughout the Los
Angeles metropolitan area to ensure participation, support and renewed
activism for AFI and its upcoming projects. “Today’s Diaspora is
stronger than ever before with its human capital and access to
resources. The AFI can be an effective channel to direct these resources
to projects that will ensure the continued economic development and
stability of Armenia and Karabagh.,” said Mehranian. “Today marks the
tenth anniversary of the AFI Inc., in California,” stated Ara Aghishian,
Esq., Vice Chair of AFI. “We sincerely thank everyone and every
organization for their support during the past ten years, and look
forward to continuing the gratifying task of aiding our homeland as
Armenian-Americans,” concluded Aghishian.
AFI’s new outreach program identifies several key components necessary
to optimize the Fund’s potential: generate increased awareness of AFI
and its projects, cultivate and solicit new donors at all levels,
enhance contacts with corporate foundations and organizations, expand
grassroots outreach efforts through special events and programs, and
identify Diaspora desired development projects in Armenia and Karabagh.
“AFI, through its annual telethon and newly established fundraising and
outreach efforts, will continue to assist Armenia and Karabagh in
implementing the vital foundations of infrastructure building, economic
growth, and social and cultural development,” concluded Mehranian.

AFI is the US West coast affiliate of the Hayastan All-Armenia Fund
(HAAF). Established in 1994 to facilitate humanitarian assistance to
Karabagh and Armenia through the united efforts of Armenian communities
throughout the world, HAAF has administered over $80 million in
humanitarian, rehabilitation and construction aid – including numerous
projects such as the Goris-Stepanakert Lifeline Highway, the North-South
Backbone Highway, as well as water, heating fuel and electricity
distribution, school and orphanage aid, hospital/health care development
and refugee and earthquake housing.

For more information on AFI and its activities, please contact
Khachatur Khudikyan at 818 243-6222 of the AFI office.
Armenia Fund, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, is the West
Coast affiliate of the “Hayastan” All Armenian Fund headquartered in
Yerevan, Armenia. Since 1996, AFI has generated over $20 million for
various humanitarian projects