Thousands of toys and lots of warm clothes were collected for the children of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) at the Homenmen (Armenian Athletic Association) Toy Drive in Pasadena and Glendale.

Volunteers of all ages helped donors unload toys from cars lining up the street with people eager to put a smile on a child’s face in the war-torn region of Artsakh. Some participants in the toy drive held Saturday and Sunday donated warm clothing, which is much needed in the winter months ahead. Others made monetary contributions to help with humanitarian efforts.

“We are very happy with the turnout of the toy drive and the outpouring of support from the community,” said Homenmen Chairman Vartan Kojababian, according to Massis Post, a news service covering Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.

 “The innocent children of Artsakh have witnessed their homes being destroyed, their family members have been murdered in a war they never asked for and their right to live peacefully on their ancestral lands has been threatened by a merciless enemy,” Kojababian said. “The very least we can do as Diaspora Armenians is help our brothers and sisters during this dire humanitarian crisis. We hope that these toys that were donated by generous community members will uplift the spirits of the children in Artsakh and restore a sense of calm and normalcy during these uncertain times.”

Kojababian also thanked the Armenian Educational Benevolent Union in Pasadena and Mission Wine and Spirits in Glendale where the two-day toy drive was held.

Large boxes of toys were packed up and will be flown to Armenia and distributed to children in Artsakh within the next two weeks.