ANCA Endowment Fund Telethon Raises over $2.5 Million for Community Education and Development Programs
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June 8, 2009
GLENDALE, Calif.-In a strong show of grassroots participation that
reinforced the power of national community participation, $2.6 million
was raised during the six-hour nationally televised ANCA Endowment
Fund Telethon held on May 31.
"Once again, our community has demonstrated its enduring faith and
commitment to the ANCA Endowment Fund’s efforts to expand Armenian
American civic participation and youth development programs," said
ANCA Endowment Fund president Ken Hachikian. "Each donation-large and
small-will also play a pivotal role in educating elected officials,
and the media-locally and nationally-about pressing Armenian American
concerns facing our community."
Bolstered by a matching donation of $150,000 by Kirk Kerkorian’s
Lincy Foundation, the telethon attracted a broad cross-section of the
community and the final results proved the commitment of the Armenian
American community to the advancement the Armenian Cause.
Thousands of Armenian Americans took part in the fundraising effort,
with hundreds more volunteering their time, services, and other
resources to ensure the telethon was a success.
"This telethon was more than a six-hour broadcast," said telethon
outreach coordinator Pattyl Aposhian Kasparian. "The outcome reflects
the importance of bringing together the entire community around the
work of the Armenian Cause and truly reflects our grassroots power. We
thank each and every donor."
The program, aired nationally on Horizon Armenian Television, the
Armenian Russian Television Network (ARTN), and local television
stations across the country, featured segments highlighting the ANCA
Endowment Fund’s achievements and activities in genocide education,
youth empowerment, advocacy training, the advancement of an enduring
relationship between the United States and Armenia, and the promotion
of public awareness of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabagh.
The telethon, which was filmed live in the Horizon studios,
also featured appearances by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian; leader of the Armenian Catholic community, Father
Antoine Saroyan; Rev. Joe Matossian of the Armenian Evangelical
Church; Los Angeles County sheriff Lee Baca; ANCA Endowment Fund
president Ken Hachikian; ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian;
as well as major donors and sponsors.
Video messages were provided by Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, California State assemblyman Paul Krikorian, San Francisco
mayor and California gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom, as well
as Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and California State assemblyman Kevin
de Leon.
The 2009 Telethon Committee produced a well-executed program hosted
by 11 community and media leaders from throughout the United States,
all of whom emphasized the importance of the ANCA Endowment Fund to
the advancement of Armenian American community aspirations.
Hosts Karine Birazian, Paul Chaderjian, Alina Dorian, Saro Haroun,
Silva Haroutounian, Ari Killian, Roxanne Makasdjian, Steve Mesrobian,
Anahid Oshagan, Aram Sarafian and Manoug Seraidarian adeptly
navigated the audience through the broadcast, which was intertwined
with information and education segments, live in-studio appearances,
and pleas from community leaders.
"Organizing a six-hour live broadcast which is to air throughout the
country is complicated, but we were fortunate to have a number of
professionals and volunteers who were up to the task," said telethon
chairman Leonard Manoukian. "They each brought to bear their special
skills, talents, and experience, but most importantly, they brought
with them the passion which sets Hai Tahd apart from other causes."
Another highlight of the telethon was the participation of community
organizations, churches, and schools, which had raised funds on behalf
of their respective groups.
The telethon has ensured that the ANCA Endowment Fund will be able to
continue its mission-to educate and empower the community in advancing
issues of concern to the Armenian American community.