FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2020
PRESS
RELEASE
"Knights
of Vartan" Communication Office
2
Arshagunyats Ave,
Yerevan,
Armenia
Contact:
Gohar Palyan, Liaison
Tel:
+374 94 20 64 68
Web:
www.kofv.org
COVID19 Relief: Knights of Vartan and
Ayo Program of FAR Teamed Up
Yerevan – The Knights and Daughters of Vartan share the concern of
helping to combat the COVID19 pandemic and with Past Grand Commander Nigoghos
Atinizian and Mrs. Roset Atinizian’s matching fund of $5,000 joined Ayo program
of FAR and raised far over $10,000 for food and everyday necessities for people
in the Tavush border region of Armenia.
COVID-19
is spreading, and all cautions are needed to prevent it. For this purpose, the
lock down in Armenia has left scores of people with either limited income or no
income at all. They needed our help more than ever. Knights of Vartan Past
Grand Commander Nigoghos Atinizian initiated a matching fund. He and his wife, Roset
donated $5,000 to be matched by funds raised by the Knights and Daughters of
Vartan and friends.
“People in Tavush region are hardworking and I
have met many of them during my frequent visits to Armenia. We know the
pandemic is temporary and one day we will overcome it. But there are families
who need our urgent support now and we would like to stand by their side during
this needed time” said Past Grand Commander Nigoghos Atinizian.
Just
one week after announcing the matching fund drive to the Knights and Daughters
of Vartan community across the United States, over $10,000 was raised for COVID-19
relief in the Tavush region.
The Tavush
region has the longest geographical border with Azerbaijan. The region is a strategic
location and for decades the Knights and Daughters of Vartan and its members have
been involved in numerous charitable projects to help support its people. Among
those efforts is the COVID-19 Relief project with Ayo. It is essential given
the current pandemic that now spreads in Armenia and in the world.
During
the last several weeks, and using the money raised during the matching
fundraising drive, the Ayo program staff has distributed 400 packages to some 400
families in the Tavush region. The packages include basic necessities as well
as food. We know that along with receiving their package of food, these
families also receive emotional support. They realize that they are not alone
and that during these difficult times, their brothers and sisters across the border
and around the world have them in their thoughts.
There
are several other projects that the Knights and Daughters of Vartan have
undertaken as members continue to show their support for their brothers and
sisters in Armenia.
“We
are so thankful to Past Grand Commander Nigoghos and Roset Atinizian for their
generous donation and to the members of the Knights of Vartan who rose to the
occasion to help our homeland. As members of the Knights of Vartan we are
committed to helping our homeland along with our communities in the diaspora”
expressed Grand Commander Steven Adams.
Ayo! is a fundraising platform of Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR). By providing a vehicle to raise money for local
development projects, it allows the people of Armenia to make positive changes
in their society.
For more information about the FAR visit www.farusa.org and about Ayo! Visit www.weareayo.org. To support COVID19 relief in
Armenia via Ayo program please visit https://weareayo.org/donate/covid-19
. Thank you.
The Knights of Vartan Inc. is a
fraternal leadership and service organization of Armenian men dedicated to safeguarding
and perpetuating the Armenian heritage and its cultural traditions. Its
membership represents the spectrum of the leadership of the Armenian community.
It was founded in 1916 in Philadelphia and is based in the United States with 23
local chapters which support Armenian causes around the world.
For
more information about the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, visit .