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Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Friday, July 29, 2005
Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
OVER $200,000 RAISED AT ANCA-WR PRE-BANQUET KICK-OFF EVENT
— Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian and Mr. & Mrs. Khatchig Mouradian Top
Donor List
GLENDALE, CA – Community leaders, organizational representatives,
activists and benefactors were among over 100 people in attendance
at the 2005 Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
(ANCA-WR) pre-Banquet kick-off event held at the home of Ara and Sandy
Bedrosian on Friday, July 22nd. The kick-off event nearly sold out
the banquet, with close to 500 tickets sold and over $200,000 raised
prior to the actual banquet to be held on September 18th.
Mr. and Mrs. Bedrosian, who graciously hosted the kick-off event,
began the evening’s program by welcoming guests to their home and
thanking those in attendance. They shared with the attendees many
of the ANCA-WR’s accomplishments and initiated the fundraising
event by pledging a $5,000 table on behalf of their family and an
additional $5,000 table on behalf of Sandy Bedrosian’s parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Antranik Kassabian.
Mr. and Mrs. Khatchig Mouradian made a dramatic announcement at the
kick-off event, sharing that they will underwrite the entire cost of
the banquet by pledging an amount of $40,000. This set a new precedent
by allowing for all the banquet proceeds to support the ANCA-WR’s
programs and activities. The generous offer led ANCA-WR Chairman
Steve Dadaian to remark, that “the Mouradians’ generosity is matched
only by their unparalleled patriotism and dedication to the Armenian
Cause. I salute their leadership and solidarity with the ANCA.”
Also among the top donors at the banquet kick-off event was
philanthropist and long-time ANCA-WR supporter Mrs. Ashkhen
Pilavjian. She made a generous pledge of $20,000, which is among the
largest donations ever received by the ANCA-WR. This was followed by
longtime ANCA-WR sponsor, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Melkonian who pledged
to donate $15,000, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis Sepetjian who pledged $10,000
and Mr. Berdj Shahbazian who pledged $5,000.
“The ANCA-WR has for decades earned the trust of the community,”
commented ANCA-WR Chairman Steve Dadaian. “Our organization’s
track-record of achievements over the past year speaks for
itself. Whether we are educating Members of Congress in Washington,
legislators in Sacramento, or working with our 17 local ANC chapters
to expand awareness of the Armenian Genocide, the ANCA-WR is always
there for our community,” added Dadaian.
Banquet Committee Chairwoman Aida Dimejian updated the attendees at the
kick-off event on the details of the annual gala, which will be held at
the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood on September 18, 2005. The banquet,
Dimejian explained, has become a marquee event, drawing the attendance
of prominent national, state and local public officials and activists.
Over 600 people are expected to attend this year’s ANCA-WR Annual
Banquet. Unfortunately, due to limited space, the event is expected
to sell-out in a matter of days. Those interested in attending the
banquet may contact the ANCA-WR office at (818) 500-1918 to reserve a
table. A press release will be issued shortly announcing this year’s
honorees at the 2005 ANCA-WR banquet.
The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad
range of issues.
Editor’s Note: Photos attached. Photo 1 caption: From left to right –
Sandy Bedrosian, Asdghik Bedrosian, Antranik Kassabian, John Bedrosian,
Houri Kassabian, and Mina Shirvanian. Photo 2 caption: From left to
right – ANCA-WR Chairman Steve Dadaian, Khatchig Mouradian, Board
Members Ara Bedrosian and Zanku Armenian. Photo 3 caption: From left
to right – Banquet Kick-off hosts Sandy Bedrosian and Ara Bedrosian
with Banquet Committee Chairwoman Aida Dimejian.
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