PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 2, 2007
_____________________________
PROMINENT ARMENIAN PHILANTHROPISTS IMPROVE LIVES OF SENIORS IN GYUMRI
THROUGH FAR SOUP KITCHEN
Since 1991, Nishan and Margrit Atinizian have made regular trips to Armenia.
Throughout the years, they have noticed the changes in the lives of the
people there.
"Over the years, I have seen a significant transformation in the people of
this country. Most notably, I see changes with the new generation. They
are bright, educated, and extremely involved with the issues surrounding
Armenia. Seeing them, I know that Armenia will be fine" Margrit said.
And while the future looks bright for Armenia, there is work that needs to
be done today. During one visit last year, Margrit and her daughter Carolyn
visited a soup kitchen in Gyumri run by the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR).
"Last summer, my daughter and I traveled to Gyumri to visit the soup kitchen
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the smiling faces of elderly men and
women, most of whom are extremely dependent on the food they receive from
that soup kitchen. As my daughter was chatting with the seniors, I sat
there watching the elderly, talking and laughing with one another. Seeing
their smiles, we were both truly touched. I knew immediately that we needed
to support this project, as it not only provided meals to the elderly, but
also a way for them to socialize and keep busy. It was then and there that
I decided Nishan and I had to work with FAR in any capacity to ensure this
soup kitchen continues to operate," Margrit said.
To help out, Nishan and Margrit assumed full financial responsibility for
the project and began working with FAR to provide a dignified life to the
200 seniors who depend on the soup kitchen.
The senior center was opened by FAR in 2001. It provides hot meals and a
warm, safe environment for the seniors in Armenia’s second largest city.
Many of the elderly who frequent the center were once the region’s leading
scientists, teachers, and doctors.
"I think that caring for the elderly population of Armenia is extremely
important, yet so often overlooked. They are the ones that have truly
struggled with the many changes that Armenia has faced; they have done a lot
for their country. By the same token, they have suffered very much,"
Margrit said. "Before this center was opened, these individuals to no place
to go; no place to socialize. This was an opportunity for us to do
something."
Now that they’re involved with FAR on the Gyumri project, the Atinizians
hope to expand the facilities at the soup kitchen, provide a more modern
kitchen and maybe increased room for socializing and other programs.
The couple just visited the center in July as part of a joint visit by the
FAR Board of Directors and the Diocesan Council members to tour FAR’s
projects in Armenia. The stop at the Gyumri center, which included a naming
ceremony, gave the couple a chance to meet some of the seniors they are
helping.
"When Nishan and I arrived at the soup kitchen a couple of weeks ago, we
were greeted by smiles and tears. Many of the elderly people were really
crying – I knew that they were extremely grateful. They were so happy you
could see it in their faces," Margrit said. "Their emotions really affected
us. It was a powerful reminder of how vital programs are for these
seniors."
The Atinizians have built a wonderful life for themselves here in America.
The couple has found financial success in real estate development in the
Cambridge, MA area. Nishan Atinizian, who has been awarded the St. Gregory
Medal for his devotion to the Armenian people, was one of the driving forces
behind the opening of the Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan in 2004.
"Nishan and Margrit Atinizian are living the American dream," said
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of
FAR. "They’ve built a successful life for themselves but feel moved by God
to help others. I am proud to count them as friends and know they will
continue to provide hope to the people of Armenia through FAR because of
their strong faith."
They have a long history of working to improve the lives of the people of
Armenia, sending a container to Karakert through the Children of Armenia
Fund in 2005 and contributing to the Armenia Tree Project for several years.
Margrit is confident that the current partnership with FAR is an effective
way for her and her husband to change lives in Armenia.
"And I don’t say that just because my husband is on the FAR Board of
Directors," she said. "I know that the money given to FAR goes directly to
Armenia, to the people who need help and that there hasn’t been any
problems. FAR has done a lot in 18 years."
Their annual $60,000 donation to operate the FAR’s Soup Kitchen is a
generous gift to the seniors of that devastated region. But the
contribution is one the Atinizians are happy to make.
"We feel blessed because God gave us the opportunity and the financial means
to help with this project. " Margrit said.
And while she understands not everyone can write such large checks, she said
small donations are always needed and that those who can write larger checks
need to.
"There are many individuals in our community that have the financial ability
to help but choose not to," she said. "I know so many people who can do a
lot more for Armenia, but they simply don’t. For us, we feel an immense
duty to give back to those without our good fortune. We feel so great and
thank God everyday for giving us the opportunity to assist, to help others."
ABOUT FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served the
Armenian people through more than 220 relief and development programs in
Armenia, Karabagh and Javakhk. It has channeled more than $265 million in
humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of projects, including
emergency relief, construction, education, medical aid, and economic
development.
FAR, one of the preeminent relief and development organization operating
there, is dedicated to realizing the dream of a free, democratic,
prosperous, and culturally rich Armenian Homeland. It works towards a
brighter future by partnering with donors to provide hope, opportunity and
empowerment for the people in Armenia, Karabagh and Javakhk.
For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact FAR at 630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849;
web ; e-mail [email protected].
— 8/2/07
E-mail photo available upon request.
PHOTO CAPTION1: Mr. and Mrs. Nishan and Margrit Atinizian (center) flanked
by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian (right), Primate of the Armenian Church of
American (Eastern) and President of the Fund for Armenian Relief, and their
parish priest, Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian (left) from St. James Armenian
Church in Watertown, MA, during the June 27, 2007 reopening of the Atinizian
Senior Center in Gyumri.
PHOTO CAPTION2: Mr. and Mrs. Nishan and Margrit Atinizian with some of the
elderly who find nourishment and companionship at the FAR Senior Center in
Gyumri.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
