PRESS RELEASE
July 13, 2004
CONTACT: Anita P. Kazarian
Noah’s Landing LLC
PO Box 22168
Cleveland, OH 44122
Tel: 216.932.8100
Email: apk@noahs-landing.com

Armenians across America raise money for Armenia’s athletes

By Anita Papazian Kazarian

Many individual Armenians, Armenian organizations and friends of
Armenia are making the world a little smaller – and helping make big
dreams come true for 13 young athletes in Armenia.

They are helping to bring a team to Cleveland from Armenia to play in
the 2004 International Children’s Games (ICG) being held July 30 –
August 2. Last December it was realized that Armenia was not
represented in the 2004 ICG, primarily because of the high cost of
transportation to get here.

By January, the Cleveland Armenian community organized to raise funds
with the initial hope of bringing three teams. Its goal – to remove
financial barriers, set visitors up in both Armenian and non-Armenian
homes after the games conclude, and ensure the visiting team has the
best opportunity to learn about how we can, together, make Armenia a
stronger nation.

“A guest is a gift from God” says an old Armenian proverb, and we
truly believe that” said Dzaghig Pounardjian, the Cultural Co-Champion
for Armenia. According to Mrs. Ara Pounardjian, “the Armenian
children will meet ours, and children from around the world. We know
they will make lifelong friends, maybe one of these friendships will
help bring greater peace in the future.”

The Armenia Team will play in tennis, swimming, track/field, and
gymnastics. All donations to the ICG-Armenia Task Force (PO Box
22168, Cleveland, OH 44122) are tax deductible and will be used solely
to bring the 13 children (ranging in age from 12 to 15), and 4 coaches
to the USA. E-mail APK@noahs-landing.com for a listing of donors and
expenses.

Glendale, California’s team is made up of Armenian children who will
compete in Track/Field and Baseball according to Suzelle Avitsian of
Solon Ohio. She has been working with Glendale head coach Koko
Panossian for the past several months to insure their participation.
“Glendale athletes and coaches have raised their own funds in
California to pay their expenses.” said Mrs. Rafi Avitsian.

Cleveland area Armenians welcome the world to Cleveland, won’t you
join us?

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