Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
E-mail: info@armeniafundusa.org
The 9th International Armenia Fund Telethon Raises Unprecedented $13.7
Million in Pledges to Revitalize Villages of Karabakh
NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA is pleased to announce that the 9th
International Armenia Fund Telethon recorded an unprecedented success
raising more than $13.7 million in pledges to benefit the war-ravaged
villages in the south of Nagorno-Karabakh. Los Angeles, New York, Paris,
Yerevan – echoing throughout cities and continents, the Telethon was aired
on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006 uniting hearts and minds of Armenians
around the world. The ambitious goal to revitalize villages of Hadrut in the
south of Karabakh involves implementing an agricultural development program,
creating jobs for farmers, building schools and healthcare centers, roads
and water pipelines. Funds for this critically needed project have been
secured by the combined efforts of the 20 affiliates of Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund.
The Telethon, which was broadcasted in more than 20 major cities throughout
the United States, as well as in all continents via satellite, streaming
live on internet for 12 hours, marks the highest result ever achieved by
almost doubling last year’s result of $7.7 million. President of
Nagorno-Karabakh Arkady Ghoukassian, and Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of
the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan were present
with many honored guests and program participants at the Glendale Studios,
where the Telethon traditionally originates from, to rally support for the
Fund. Armenia Fund USA Chairman Kevork Toroyan, Chairman-elect Raffi
Festekjian, and other prominent community leaders joined the live Telethon
from a Boston studio appealing to each and every Armenian to be part of the
drive. "Our development efforts target the war-torn villages for creating
jobs and bringing hope to the families. We want to give them the means to
sustain their households so that they can build the schools and hospitals
and everything else they need. This is why it is so important to make this
happen. Small or large donations do not matter, what is important is your
participation. This is your vote for a better future for Armenia and
Karabakh", says Chairman Toroyan.
Proceeds from the Telethon will benefit the regional development of Hadrut
and its cluster of villages. Launched last year by all 20 affiliates of
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, the project encompasses all key aspects of
socio-economic development – creation of jobs, access to education, proper
healthcare, and clean water, as well as reconstruction of critically needed
infrastructure. "The unprecedented success of this Telethon is a result of
the Diaspora’s unshakeable belief in the mission of our unique organization
that unites all Armenians around the world under one mission – building
stronger, viable Armenia. The consistent transparency of the Fund through
rigorous international audits, strict accounting practices, and oversight
mechanisms by the Diaspora have reinforced the public’s resolve to help
Armenia and Artsakh", said Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Naira Melkoumian.
For the first time donations from Armenia and Artsakh surpassed $1.54
million. The 20 affiliates of the Fund stretching all over the globe were
instrumental in the success of the fundraising effort. The Canadian Toronto
affiliate has raised more than $300,000, the Argentinean affiliate, Fundo
Nacional Armenia, organized a benefit concert in Buenos Aires. The French
affiliate raised more than $1.5 million through a Phon-a-thon campaign, and
the German affiliate pledged more than $60,000.
Among the largest donors of Telethon 2006 were: Lincy Foundation, Project
CURE, Vahe Karapetian, Jerry Turpanjian, Ara Abrahamyan, Louise Manoogian
Simone, Sarkis Acopian, Tigran Movsesian, AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School,
Levon and Grigor Termendjian, Mikhail Baghdasarov, Vivacell, Arkady
Ovannessian, Samvel Alexanian, and Ruben Hayrapetyan.
Armenia Fund USA, with its international affiliates, has had a strong and
measurable impact on the development of Karabakh and Armenia since
independence. The organization remains the largest contributor to
socio-economic infrastructure projects there since 1992, having invested
more than $160 million in large-scale infrastructure.
ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the first of Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves constituents in
all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental,
nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.
Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and
Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go "Beyond Bricks and Mortar" to
provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.