PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
March 9, 2004
Contact: Ardashes Kassakhian 818.500.1918
OUTSTANDING WORK OF ANC CHAPTERS AND ACTIVISTS ACKNOWLEDGED AT AWARDS EVENT
Evening Thanks Individuals and Chapters for Hard Work and Dedication
Glendale, CA – The hard work of over a dozen ANC chapters from across
the the Western United States was recognized at the first annual
ANCA-WR Grassroots Awards Event held on February 29, 2004 in Glendale,
California. On the same night that Hollywood was honoring its best
across town at the Oscars, ANC leaders and supporters from throughout
the Western Region gathered in Glendale to acknowledge each other’s
hard work and celebrate their dedication and commitment to the
Armenian Cause. Activists from Sacramento, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, San Diego, Orange County, amongst many others came together
for this unique and special event.
“The 2004 ANCA-WR Grassroots Awards event acknowledged chapters and
activists who comprise the core that make the ANC the largest, most
effective and efficient Armenian-American grassroots public affairs
organization,” statedANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian.
One Grassroots Activists from each ANC chapter received a special
recognition. In addition to individual awards, awards were also given
to individual chapters for Best Website, Most Innovative Project,
Media Outreach, Voter Outreach, Up-and-Coming Chapter, as well as
others.
“The dedication and strength of our ANC chapters is a tribute to the
democratic principles of America’s founding fathers and the pioneers
of theArmenian Cause,” commented ANCA-WR Chairman Raffi Hamparian
after the event. “On a daily basis, ANC members encourage Armenian
Americans to vote and to participate in the political life of our
nation. I am very proud of each and every ANC chapter and activist
who was honored at our Awards Event.”
The Master of Ceremonies at the ANC Awards Event was longtime
community activist and former Burbank ANC Chair, Stepan Boyadjian.
With a good dose of humor, Boyadjian kept those in attendance laughing
as he kept the program moving along. Assisting Boyadjian was ANCA-WR
Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian who thanked everyone in
attendance for their dedication and support.
“What makes the Armenian National Committee such a unique organization
is the simple fact that this organization doesn’t function with the
sole work of one or two individual staffers but rather through the
constant effort of thousands and thousands of individuals who do their
part every day of ever week of every year,” commented Kassakhian. “We
owe our supporters a big ‘thank you’,” he added.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards in a
variety of categories, including individual honors. Each chapter
nominated an individual who had made an impact or exceptional
contribution to his or her respective chapter. Individuals were
nominated from their chapters to receive recognition. Presenting ANC
Chapter Awards were ANCA-WR Board Members Aida Dimejian and Garo
Ispendjian. In a creative display of solidarity, the Burbank ANC
nominated the Burbank ANC Chapter Activist as their individual
honoree. The selfless nomination served as the closing theme for the
evening as Burbank received the 2004 ANCA-WR Grassroots Activist of
the Year award for the entire Western Region of the United States.
The other awards for individual chapters wereas follows:
– Crescenta Valley – Saro Senekerinian
– Fresno Central California – Ara Kachadourian and Rich Sanikian
– Sacramento – Hovannes Boghossian
– Glendale – Milene Apanian
– Pasadena – Susan Berberian
– San Diego – Dr. Robert Deranian
– San Francisco – Raffi Momjian
– Montebello/San Gabriel Valley – Serge Samoniantz
– East San Fernando Valley – Vahe Shahinian
– West San Fernando Valley – Nichan Kulukian
Chapters were also recognized for their outstanding work throughout
2003. The honorees for each category were as follows:
– 2004 ANCA-WR Rising Star – Crescenta Valley ANC for their
outstanding work in establishing a relationship with their local
community and involving a wide cross section of the community in ANC
activities;
– 2004 Best ANCA-WR Local Website – Central California/Fresno ANC for
their website;
– 2004 ANCA-WR Best Local Voter Outreach Campaign – San Francisco /Bay
Area ANC for regularly emailing and updating Bay Area Armenians on
local, state and federal elections in 2002-2003 with special
recognition for the ANC San Francisco Mayoral Debate;
– 2004 ANCA-WR Best Local Voter Outreach Campaign –
Montebello/SanGabriel Valley ANC for their voter outreach and
registration drive and being the deciding factor in their local
municipal election with pecial recognition for the “Honoring the
Montebello City Council” event;
– 2004 ANCA-WR Most Outstanding Initiative by a Local Chapter – San
Francisco/Bay Area ANC for their Genocide Education Campaign with
special recognition for the project;
– 2004 ANCA-WR Best Media Outreach Campaign – Pasadena ANC for press
coverage in the Pasadena Star News on the Policeman’s Appreciation
Luncheon and the Person of the Year Event.
ANCA-WR Chair Raffi Hamparian thanked each chapter and the ANCA-WR
office staff for their hard work and encouraged every individual in
attendance to strive for greatness in the coming year in the pursuit
of the ANC’s goals. Among the officials present at the event were
Congressman Adam Schiff, California State Senator Jack Scott,
California State Assemblyman Paul Koretz, former ANC Chairmen Jack
Misserlian, Armand Keosian, Dr. Sahag Baghdasarian and Steven Dadaian.
Glendale School Board Member Greg Krikorian, Burbank School
BoardMember Paul Krekorian and Glendale Community College Board Member
Ara Najarian were also in attendance.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughoutthe United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
Editor’s Note: Photos available upon request.
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