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PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
AGBU YPGNY IN MIDST OF FIFTH BUSY SEASON
FUNDRAISES FOR AGBU HYE GREEN PREGNANT WOMEN’S CENTER IN GYUMRI &
ANTRANIG DANCE ENSEMBLE
In step with its continuing dedication to the local community, the
AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY) has stirred up
yet another season full of diverse and exciting activities. Over the
past few months, YPGNY has gathered hundreds in various venues to
perpetuate its mission of providing young Armenian professionals with
an outlet to volunteer for worthwhile causes, interact and socialize
with their peers, and stay close to their heritage – all under the
AGBU umbrella. Recent YPGNY-sponsored events included two evenings at
Manhattan lounges, one of which benefited a fellow AGBU auxiliary –
the AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble. The YP group organized this event as
an expression of gratitude to the Ensemble for providing three decades
worth of fond memories to the Armenian community.
Additionally, YPGNY held a fundraising brunch event for AGBU Hye Geen,
another group within the global organization. Established in 1994 and
based in Southern California, Hye Geen is committed to empowering
women, making them more aware of their changing roles and shedding
light on women’s issues. Recognizing the high infant mortality and
complicated pregnancy rate in Armenia, Hye Geen also operates a
Pregnant Women’s Center in Gyumri, which provides vital pre-natal care
to almost thirty women on a daily basis. Participants of the program
receive daily counseling and medical exams from visiting doctors, in
addition to building unique bonds with fellow mothers-to-be. To date,
over seventy-five healthy babies have been born as a result of this
project.
Guests at the November 14 brunch enjoyed a Provençale-style atmosphere
and learned more about the importance of pre-natal care through a
presentation by Dr. Carol Dersarkissian. Through the generosity of
attendees and other donors, tiered gifts covering the cost of one
trimester or an entire pregnancy for one woman brought in over $2,200
for the Hye Geen Pregnant Women’s Center in Gyumri. Those interested
in YPGNY’s “Sponsor a Mom” project should contact: ypgny@agbu.org or
212.319.6383 ext. 128. Donations of $35 or $70 will cover one or two
trimesters of a pregnancy respectively; gifts at the $100 level will
cover the costs incurred during one full-term pregnancy.
As always, never content to rest on its laurels, AGBU YPGNY has two
more events on the way this winter to bring together young Armenian
professionals and raise awareness about AGBU’s many endeavors. The
group is planning its third annual New Year’s Eve party at the Union
Square Ballroom. The December 31st evening includes six hours of
premium host bar, dinner buffet, midnight champagne toast and dancing
to the international beats of DJ Fares. Tickets, priced at $175, must
be purchased in advance, please call 917.882.4999 to make
reservations.
YPGNY’s second “must-attend” evening, its Armenian Christmas
Reception, is slated to take place in January 2005. The event, which
has become a staple of the group’s annual activity roster, supports
AGBU’s three Children’s Centers in Armenia. Providing after-school
curriculums in a variety of fields, including the arts, athletics,
computers and religion, the program has become an invaluable
institution for Armenia’s youth. Event proceeds will be added to the
AGBU Young Professionals Endowment Fund for AGBU’s Children’s Centers,
which to date totals over $18,000, thanks to fundraising efforts by
YPGNY and YP committees in Los Angeles and Northern California. The
highlight of the evening this year will be a silent auction featuring
artworks created by the students at the Centers.
For more information on AGBU YPGNY, please visit: ,
email ypgny@agbu.org or call the AGBU Central Office: 212.319.6383.