GLENDALE, Calif. — There are only 700 BMW M4 GTS's around the world and Glendale resident, Levon Sargsyan owns one.
For a car enthusiast driving one of the rarest German cars on the roads, Levon says, is an untouchable feeling.
Coming from Armenia where he was born, a car is considered a luxury. When his family moved to Glendale, Levon was mesmerized by L.A.'s car culture.
Driving has become a stress reliever he’s turned to since his family is constantly concerned for their many relatives in Armenia where a 30-year-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan recently reignited.
Levon says hearing updates from family of the bombings and attacks gets depressing.
All of sudden, material things like getting a set of rare super sport tires to compliment his need for speed, lost value.
“So I decided to say you know what, I don’t need it. Let me just sell them because I knew they were popular wheels and they sold in literally two hours. The person came and picked them up the same day. I was able to donate that money the same night,” Levon said.
Of course, the 27-year-old posted on social media about donating the $3,500 to the Armenia Fund, and soon someone anonymously matched his donation.
Together they sent a total of $7,000 to help the people in Artsakh.
With Glendale being home to the largest Armenian population in the United States, Levon’s brother Haik Sargsyan hosted a donation drive at his local business.
In matter of days, truckloads of medical supplies, food and clothing were shipped to Armenian soldiers on the front line.
Haik said, “It does get emotional because when Armenians as a people get together it's amazing.”
That's exactly what Levon says is the true definition of of the movement 'Artsakh Strong'.
“Everyday we try to do everything we can on our part, it could be financially, it could be resources, it could be spreading the word on social media,” he said.
Glendale City Council recently passed a unanimous resolution to officially recognize the independence of Artsakh.
Given the Mayor of Glendale and two of the four city council-members are Armenian, this issue hits close to home for them and the thousands of Armenians in the city.
This resolution is basically Glendale taking a stand for the human rights of the people in Artsakh.
Also, calling on the U.S. and congress to do the same and intervene in the conflict and bring peace to the Armenian region.