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PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

YP Northern California "Winter Gala Weekend" Attracts Hundreds, Raises
$5,000 for AGBU Hye Geen Women’s Centers in Armenia

Over 200 Armenian young professionals from around the globe gathered in
San Francisco for the 9th Winter Gala Getaway Weekend on February 15,
2008. The annual affair, organized by AGBU Young Professionals of
Northern California (YPNC), raised $5,000 for the AGBU Hye Geen Pregnant
Women’s Centers in Armenia.

Beginning with a sold-out Friday night mixer at the downtown Element
nightclub with DJ Raffy, the Winter Gala is an opportunity for friends,
new and old, to network with fellow professionals of Armenian descent in
a friendly social setting.

On Saturday, most guests enjoyed San Francisco’s eclectic landmarks and
basked in the sunny weather. Some young professionals planned a daytrip
to Napa Valley to experience the West Coast’s world-renowned wine
region.

After a day of relaxation and exploration, guests headed down to the
city’s Financial District for the Winter Gala Dance at the Merchant
Exchange. Against the backdrop of the San Francisco skyline, Father
Mesrob Sarafian of St. Vartan Armenian Church said a blessing before
dinner, which was followed by a warm welcome from Gala Chairman Emily
Kluczynski.

"The Winter Gala is, hands down, the most incredible Armenian event I
have ever attended," she said. "It brings Armenians from around the
world together for an amazing weekend and unites them under a shared
purpose – support of an Armenian cause."

Back by popular request, Khatchig Jingirian and his band kept the dance
floor full all night. The party continued with a post-dance event at the
trendy SOMO loft. Weekend festivities officially concluded with a
private brunch at Anzu restaurant in the Hotel Nikko on Sunday morning.

"There is real joy in bringing Armenians together in our gorgeous city
for a really great cause," exclaimed Gala committee member, Alison
Ekizian. "It’s exciting to draw our community together and twice as
rewarding to do it in the spirit of philanthropy."

Proceeds from this year’s Winter Gala benefited the AGBU Hye Geen
Pregnant Women’s Centers in Armenia. With the goal of improving the
health of expecting mothers and reducing the alarming rates of pregnancy
complications in Armenia, AGBU Hye Geen established their first Pregnant
Women Project in the country’s second largest city, Gyumri, in June
2002, and a second center in Vanadzor was established four years later.
Since then, participating women have benefited from substantial
pre-natal care and vital medical exams, while also creating a unique and
strong bond among each other.

For all the photos from this year’s Winter Gala Getaway Weekend, please
visit the YPNC website at

The AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California are committed to
preserving and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information on
YPNC, please email, info@agbusfgala.org, or visit,