PRESS OFFICE
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: far@farusa.org
Web:

July 7, 2008
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Teens raise funds to help children in Armenia

WHITE PLAINS YOUTH RAISE MONEY TO HELP FAR’S PROGRAM FOR HOMLESS CHILDREN

When members of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America
(ACYOA) Jrs. chapter at the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of
White Plains, NY, began planning their recent car wash fundraiser,
they weren’t quite sure where the money should end up.

The chapter’s advisor, Nectar Munro, decided to ask the parish priest,
Fr. Krikor Kasparian, his opinion on what the 17 young ACYOA Jrs.
members should support with their donation.

"Nectar discussed it with me and said that it would be wonderful if
this money was sent somewhere worthwhile," Fr. Kasparian said. "I
told her that there are homeless children in Yerevan and there is a
project FAR [the Fund for Armenian Relief] sponsors to help them, so
why not send the money to them. We thought that would be wonderful."

The group raised about $300 through the carwash, and sent it all to
FAR for its Yerevan Homeless Children’s Center, which works
proactively to keep at-risk children in in-tact, loving, functional
homes and out of institutionalized care.

"Our kids in ACYOA Jrs. are guided by a principal of serving, of
making the organization worthwhile by five activities," Fr. Kasparian
said. "They have sports, social events, spiritual activities,
service, and educational experiences. They thought this donation was
in keeping with the goals of the local chapter to serve."

Fr. Kasparian said while the money raised could have gone to other
less-pressing needs in the parish community, he was glad the ACYOA
Jrs. members decided to help others in Armenia.

"For them to know that instead of appropriating the money for anything
else here, where we may have less need, but rather to send it to
Armenia where the need is greater, that makes me proud," he said.

And the ACYOA Jrs. are not the only group at St. Gregory the
Enlightener making Fr. Kasparian proud. This past Mother’s Day, the
seventh and eighth grade Sunday School class, taught by Edward Dorian
Jr., sold breakfast to the community and sold plants. They raised
about $450, and again decided to send the money to the homeless youth
of Armenia through FAR.

"The children thought it would be wonderful to send to children around
their age, preferably the homeless children in Armenia," Fr. Kasparian
said. "They learn in Sunday School the importance of serving and
outreach and extending themselves to people who are needier than they
are. This donation is their education put into action."

Fr. Kasparian noted that the donations reflect the teachings of the
church to serve others.

"It makes me feel great," Fr. Kasparian said of the two donations.
"What they’re learning in Sunday School and as members of ACYOA Jrs.
is not just theoretical knowledge. It can be translated into action.
However humble and small this might be, it is the fruits of their
labor and the love share with people in Armenia."

"They also do this because, in a sense, they realize it is setting an
example to other children," he added. "So they are witnessing to
their faith in a very tangible way. I think that’s a mature
attitude."

OTHERS HELPING

While the children of White Plains were busy washing cars and selling
flowers, they were not the only young people helping their peers in
Armenia.

Julia Masotti, a junior at Kellenberg Memorial High School in
Uniondale, NY, on Long Island, is half Armenian. She recently started
an organization called Kids Helping Kids, which aimed to turn youthful
volunteer activities into action to make life easier for children.
Her group raised $400 by selling used books, and they decided to
donate the money to FAR to buy school supplies for children in
Armenia.

"I hope I can make a difference in the life of children," she said.

By providing hope and opportunity to the next generation of Armenians,
FAR aims to empower them to build Armenia’s future. FAR’s programs
for youth include its Homeless Children’s Center and the development
of an modern foster care system for Armenia.

FAR also works with the Women’s Guild of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), by handling the logistics of its Children
of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP), through which donors around the
globe provide structured, direct financial support to orphans in
Armenia.

Other FAR programs that directly aid children include the renovation
and operation of several schools throughout the nation, college
scholarships, choirs, arts training programs, summer camps, and the
Gyumri IT Center which is training the next generation of computer
specialists in the northern, earthquake devastated region.

For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630
Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212)
889-4849;¨web ; e-mail far@farusa.org.