THANK YOU, HAY ZINVOR!: ANOTHER CAMPAIGN CALLING FOR “SURPRISE” GIFTS TO SOLDIERS ON IN ARMENIA

SOCIETY | 17.04.15 | 13:15

Alina Nikoghosyan
ArmeniaNow intern

A campaign called “Thank you, Armenian soldier” will be held for the
third time in Armenia, this year it will be distinguished by its
larger scale, the organizers say explaining that this year much more
people are aware of it.

The action will take place in Yerevan’s main Republic Square on
Sunday. It will be from morning till night and all residents can send
any gifts to the soldiers defending Armenian lands. The goal of the
initiative is to surprise the soldiers serving on the border by way
of gratuity.

“Everyone can join us, regardless of their social status anyone can
help as much as they can, means of hygiene, sweets and etc,” Jirayr
Voskanyan, the initiator of the campaign, and the press secretary of
a non-governmental organization told media on Thursday.

The organizers say that sports personalities, culture figures and media
representatives have joined them and soldiers will receive thanksgiving
words and wishes recorded on videotapes besides the presents.

The past two campaigns took place in 2014. Their proceeds were
transferred to two of the military units of the Tavush and Ararat
regions, but there is no exact number of people participating in
the program.

“Approximately 300-400 people participated in the previous campaigns.

We try to include various military units in Armenia, having team
discussions on where it is more efficient to hold the campaign,”
Tamara Avetisyan, a representative of the Civil Voice NGO, said,
adding that generally the presents are given to border military units.

The organizers give assurances that the two previous attempts have
shown that the soldiers feel “very touched and appreciated”.

From: A. Papazian