The Armenian Festival of Orange County
PO Box 3136
Laguna Hills, CA 92654-3136

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kalajian
Tom@ArmenianFestival.org
(949) 309-2900 Ext 17 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)
Contact: Seta Mergeanian
Seta@ArmenianFestival.org
(949) 309-2900 Ext 15 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)
Contact: Paul Aslanian
Paul@ArmenianFestival.org
(949) 309-2900 Ext 11 | (888) HYE-FEST (493-3378)

Images available for download at

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Armenian Festival Organizers Thanked for Sponsorship of Orange County
Triple X Fraternity’s First Annual Charity Golf Tournament

MISSION VIEJO, CA (SEPTEMBER 27, 2007) – Armenian Festival of Orange
County (AFOC) executive committee members contributed to the launch of
the 1st annual charity golf tournament organized by the Orange County
Chapter of the Triple X Fraternity, held Thursday, September 27, 2007 at
Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.

Nearly 110 players enjoyed a round of golf on an exquisite Southern
California day to support the Ararat Home, The Armenian Eye Care Project
and Orange County education. Afterwards, a delicious dinner was served
and awards presented. Armenian Festival organizers Paul Aslanian, Krikor
Mahdessian and Tom Kalajian personally funded a sponsorship for the
fraternity’s initial launch, which is one of nearly twenty Armenian
organizations operating in Orange County. The fraternity is sponsoring a
booth at the Festival this year, and is donating its use to the Big
Brothers and Sisters organization of Orange County.

Earlier, executives of the Armenian Festival coordinated volunteers with
the Orange County Armenian Professional Society in a pledge drive for
Orange County PBS station KOCE, which broadcasted the Armenian Genocide
documentary, resulting in record-breaking pledges of more than $123,500
on the initial live broadcast. Subsequent re-broadcasts in June and
September generated over $30,000 more. Armenian Festival committee
chairman Paul Aslanian said, "Cooperation among progressive Armenian
organizations really works to make all Armenians stronger, not weaker."
He continued, "We have learned that by working together, we accomplish
more without giving up group identities or goals. In many cases, we have
common objectives and core values, like helping all Armenians, so we
work together on that basis," he emphasized.

Founding Festival committee member Krikor Mahdessian agrees. "This
collaboration between forward-thinking Armenian organizations in Orange
County is part of our vision," he says. "We Armenians should do more to
help each other, between our groups. We are all Armenians, and we should
keep that in mind above all," he continued.

For example, both the Triple X Fraternity and the Armenian Festival are
supporting the Ararat Home, the Armenian Eye Care Project and Armenian
education in Orange County. "We’re on the same path working towards the
same goals together," said founding Armenian Festival organizer and
fraternity member Tom Kalajian. "We’re breaking new ground here in
Orange County where the most progressive Armenian organizations are
coordinating their efforts to lead change. This fundamental level of
change is not always met with universal acceptance at first, but we’re
patient with everyone who has good intentions," he said. "The positive
energy we’re creating is rippling through the community like a pebble in
a pond," he continued.

Originally conceived by Executive Director Paul Aslanian and a few
friends in 2005, the Armenian Festival of Orange County has been
successful every year. The festival is a non-denominational,
non-political, all-inclusive, qualified tax-exempt organization
administered exclusively by non-affiliated independent unpaid Armenian
volunteers.

The 2007 Armenian Festival of Orange County will be held on the weekend
of October 13 and 14 again at the Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555
Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, California, located on the corner of
Alicia and Paseo De Valencia, about 1 mile west of the Alicia exit on
the 5 freeway. Hours of operation are noon to 10 PM on Saturday, and
noon to 8 PM on Sunday.

Continuous entertainment is planned with live dance music by the Knar
band, with guest singers, and dance groups. Plenty of great Armenian
food, kids zone with bounce houses and covered seating for over 500
guests are part of the unique attractions of this annual event for the
whole family.

The festival’s Mission Statement and Statement of Core Values are posted
on its web site, as are letters of appreciation from organizations which
the festival sponsored in prior years. Congratulatory letters from
dignitaries and the festival’s colorful flyer, applications for booth
reservations, volunteers or information for sponsors, a photo gallery of
prior festivals, and much more information is available by visiting the
Festival’s web site at or by telephoning the
24-hour information hotline at either (949) 309-2900 or toll-free at
(888) HYE-FEST (493-3378).

30

——————————— ————————————-

Caption for image #0821: Orange County Triple X Charity Golf Tournament
Committee Chairman John Gulugian presents sponsorship plaque to Armenian
Festival of Orange County (AFOC) committee members. Shown left to
right, AFOC Founding Committee Member Krikor Mahdessian, Triple X Golf
committee chairman John Gulugian, AFOC Executive Director Paul Aslanian
and AFOC Founding Committee Member Harry Krikorian.