PRESS RELEASE
"Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund, Toronto
5005 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 208,
Toronto, Ontario, M1V 5K1, Canada
Contact : Migirdic Migirdicyan
Tel: (416) 332 0787
Fax: (416) 332 0736
e-mail : migomigo@sympatico.ca
Toronto, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund banquet with Baroness Cox a huge
success.
$300,000 raised to build yet another school in Karabagh.
June 13, 2006 Toronto, ON – On Sunday, June 11, Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund had its annual banquet at the AGBU Manookian Hall, at a capacity
audience. This year’s Guest of Honour was Baroness Caroline Cox, the
Deputy Speaker of the British House of Lords and a great humanitarian,
who is a true friend of Karabagh and its people. The Master of
Ceremonies of the evening was Vahan Kololian, who ran the proceedings
in an impeccable manner. The program started with the national
anthems of Canada, UK, Armenia and Karabagh interpreted by baritone
Garo Nishanian and accomplished pianist Raffi Bedrosyan. The first key
item of the evening was the Letter of Greetings from the Prime Minister
of Canada, Right Honourable Stephen Harper. The letter was presented
and read by Hon. Jason Kenney, the Parliamentary Secretary to the
Prime Minister. After that Ara Boyajian, the treasurer of the Fund’s
Toronto Chapter, gave a detailed presentation of all the projects of
the Fund since its inception. Then, a congratulatory letter from the
NKR Washington, DC, office representative Vardan Parseghian was read.
The highpoint of the evening had arrived. Migirdic Migirdicyan,
the local chairman of the Fund, introduced the key-note speaker
Baroness Caroline Cox who gave a superb presentation, accompanied by
slides, of her experiences in Karabagh during and after its struggle
of independence. The speech was interrupted by several standing
ovations. Inspired by the Baroness’ presentation several patrons
increased their pledges. Thereby, as soon as the construction of the
school in Madaghis finishes, a new school will be built for another
village with the same architectural plan. This school will be named
after Baroness Cox. A total of $300,000 was raised.
At the end of this intellectually and emotionally charged evening, in
appreciation of all of her tireless work for the people of Karabagh,
the Toronto Chapter of the Fund presented Baroness Cox with a life-size
portrait of herself, painted by internationally acclaimed painter
Robert Amirault.
The evening ended with the prayers and the closing remarks of Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian, the Primate of the Canadian Diocese.
For additional information or a sample copy, please contact:
"Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund, Toronto
5005 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 208,
Toronto, Ontario, M1V 5K1, Canada
Contact : Migirdic Migirdicyan
Tel: (416) 332 0787
Fax: (416) 332 0736
e-mail : migomigo@sympatico.ca
Hayastan Foundation Canada Inc. – "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund is a
charitable organization, realizing humanitarian projects in Armenia
and Artsakh. During the last thirteen years, it has undertaken and
successfully completed numerous winter heating, water distribution,
gasification and school construction projects.