FIRST ANCA TELETHON RAISES $2.7 MILLION
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 23 2006
WASHINGTON, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. In an overwhelming
display of unity behind the Armenian National Committee of America’s
mission to educate, motivate and activate our communities, Armenian
Americans, organizations and communities across the United States
raised $2.7 million during the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) Telethon on May 21st with additional donations still coming
in, the ANCA reported. The groundswell of donations came from the
entire spectrum of the Armenian community. “The Telethon was one
of the ANCA’s most ambitious endeavors to date, pulling together
every part of our grassroots network, and the results demonstrate
the overwhelming support for our mission to unite the community
behind the Armenian Cause – Hai Tahd,” said Ken Hachikian, National
Chairman of the ANCA. “We are gratified by the confidence Armenian
Americans across the nation have placed in us and pledge to the
Armenian community that we will make every dollar count as we work to
vigorously pursue and represent the interests of the community in the
local, national and international political and policy arenas.” The
Telethon touched a common emotion and desire in people to support the
Armenian Cause in all the different parts of Armenian communities,
regardless of organizational affiliations or politics. Countless
organizations, volunteers, churches, community leaders, ANC local
chapters, performing artists, Members of Congress and state legislators
from across the nation participated in the Telethon contributing to
its enormous success. The Telethon featured several documentaries
that highlighted the various ANCA programs and numerous results the
ANCA has achieved over the years largely through its volunteer and
grassroots network. In addition to hundreds of thousands of viewers
who watched the Telethon on TV in all major U.S. media markets,
thousands nationally and internationally also watched the Telethon
online via a simultaneous webcast over the Internet and donated
online. While the Telethon raised funds for the ANCA Endowment, it
also served to expand the level of knowledge and understanding among
many parts of the community on the important work that is being done
on a daily basis by the ANCA. One of the ANCA’s goals is to engage
and activate more segments as part of the ANCA’s grassroots network
and the Telethon helped expand that reach. Donations are still being
accepted for the ANCA Telethon and those interested in contributing
should call 1-866-402-2622 (ANCA) or go to and click on
the Telethon logo to make a donation online.