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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 18, 2006
AGBU CENTENNIAL GALA RAISES RECORD $800,000 FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
DISTRICT
On June 17, 2006, AGBU Southern California District ceremoniously
marked the organization’s Centennial Anniversary with a fundraising
gala at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Raising
a record-breaking $800,000 for local AGBU youth programs and the new
Pasadena high school opening this September, the benefit’s major
benefactors were Jerry and Pat Turpanjian, the Manoogian Simone
Foundation, the Jack Munushian Charitable Trust, Vahe and Veronique
Karapetian, Dr. Kevork and Cecile Keshishian, and Berj and Belet
Shahbazian. Emblematic of AGBU’s role within the community, the
Southern California sold-out affair, entitled "The One Hundred Years
of AGBU," united over 1,000 guests from a cross-section of religious,
political and civic organizations.
Chaired by AGBU Southern California District Committee (SCDC) Member
Stella Maloyan, the Centennial Gala opened with a cocktail reception
featuring a special photo exhibition on the history of AGBU followed
by a banquet co-emceed by Los Angeles City Council President Eric
Garcetti and SCDC Committee Member Toros Yetenekian.
A longtime supporter of Armenian issues in the greater Los Angeles
area, Garcetti opened by expressing his admiration for AGBU and the
spirit of the Armenian people, "When we think about the Armenian
nation, it is essentially one family…and [when] we think of AGBU,
we also think about a family…embodied at each table, embodied in
life experiences, the triumphs and tragedies of each generation that
comes…but again that hope that is born each day."
The program line-up included a video presentation of Asadour Guzelian’s
commemorative poem "Words From The Heart," live performances and
entertainment, and speeches by SCDC Chairman Vahe Imasdounian; AGBU
President Berge Setrakian; AGBU Central Board Member the Honorable
Judge Dickran Tevrizian; and Richard Manoogian, AGBU Central Board
Member and CEO of Masco Corporation, who was honored by SCDC as Man
of the Year.
Noting the pivotal role AGBU has played for 100 years in the lives of
the Armenian people, AGBU President Berge Setrakian emphasized in his
address the importance of the organization’s current role in preserving
and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage in the Diaspora and
in Armenia. "Let us join together in this universal mission, greater
than anyone of us…through cooperation and solidarity…to appeal to
all organizations, religious or otherwise, to work as a collective
whole with Armenia to tackle the challenges ahead of us to preserve
our national identity," said Mr. Setrakian. "As goodwill ambassadors to
our society at large, we will show the world the power of the Armenian
spirit, and the positive results when Armenians work together as one."
Providing philanthropic and moral leadership to AGBU for decades,
Richard Manoogian, son of Honorary Life President Alex Manoogian,
reflected likewise in his remarks on the personal role AGBU played in
his family growing up, "I am truly humbled by being recognized by all
of you tonight, but I realize that this honor is not so much for me,
but for the entire Manoogian family, my sister Louise, and my parents,
Alex and Marie, and I know that my parents are here in spirit enjoying
this evening."
On hand to celebrate the centennial birthday of the world’s largest
Armenian non-profit was a veritable who’s who of Armenian dignitaries
and public figures, including AGBU Central Board Chairman Louise
Manoogian Simone; Sinan Sinanian, AGBU Central Board Member and
AGBU Marie Manoogian-Demirdjian School Board Chairman; officiating
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America; Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian;
and prominent elected officials including former California Governor
George Deukmejian, State Senators Chuck Poochigian and Jack Scott,
and Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley.
Home to the largest Armenian American community, AGBU Southern
California District plays an important role locally and globally in
fulfilling the mission of AGBU to preserve and promote the Armenian
identity and heritage.
"Looking after our communities and being engaged is a collective
responsibility," said SCDC Chairman Vahe Imasdounian, stressing in his
remarks that active involvement and support will ensure the prosperity
of the Armenian nation for generations to come. "We are responsible,
morally and financially, so that our future generations right here
in Southern California….do not forget their Armenian culture,
heritage and language."
For more information on AGBU Southern California District and its
programs, please visit , email info@agbuca.org or call
the AGBU Alex Manoogian Center in Pasadena at (626) 794-7942.
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide Chapters, please
visit