Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Sept 16 2005
Victims’ telethon collects $92,000
By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer
GLENDALE – A telethon on an Armenian-American cable channel netted
more than $92,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief, with the money going
to the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the American Red Cross.
Armenian-Americans packed the alley behind the studio of the Armenian
Media Group of America’s studio at 1520 Glenoaks Blvd., bearing
checks and money orders to help victims of the hurricane. Most
donations were between $50 and $100, and $3,000 was the biggest
single check.
“This was from the people,” said broadcaster Chahe Keuroghelian, 48,
who led the telethon effort. “That is (more) important, in my
opinion, than necessarily the amount itself.
“It (being) collected from the regular citizens with limited income,
that needs to be appreciated.”
Wednesday, Keuroghelian presented more than $92,000 in donations to
the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the American Red Cross.
Including the money from the telethon, the Red Cross chapter has
collected $210,000 for hurricane relief.
Many donors remembered American generosity after Armenia was rocked
by a disastrous earthquake in 1988. The quake killed 25,000 people
and left 500,000 homeless, according to U.S. government Web sites.
“We were overwhelmed with the generosity that the people have shown,”
said Ron Farina, executive director of the Glendale-Crescenta Valley
chapter of the American Red Cross. “They, I believe, understand how
disasters can devastate a community because they were so badly hit
back in the Armenian community in ’88. So they can relate to this.”
The telethon started Monday evening and went until 2 a.m. Tuesday on
Channel 26 in Glendale. Broadcasters on the channel continued issuing
pleas for donations on the days after the initial telethon.
Keuroghelian, who has a show on Channel 26 but also works as an
immigration attorney, said he expects additional donations that will
bring the total to at least $100,000.
Meanwhile, the Glendale-Crescenta Valley chapter of the Red Cross has
35 volunteers working in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to
help hurricane and flood victims. Another 50 volunteers are waiting
to go.
“The thing that’s holding us back is sometimes flights are not
available from California to the area,” Farina said.
Revo Coffee and Cigarette Cafe will hold a jazz concert today from 8
to 10 p.m. at 1022 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale, to raise money for
Hurricane Katrina relief, with donations going to the Salvation Army.
For information, call (818) 549-0809.