Armenian National Committee-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: (818) 500-1918
PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2010
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
LOS ANGELES AREA ANC ACTIVISTS GIVE BACK TO COMMEMORATE GENOCIDE
LOS ANGELES, CA—On Friday, April 23rd, while Armenian National Committee
(ANC) activists joined the Los Angeles City Council as it commemorated the
Armenian Genocide in chambers, just a couple of miles away in downtown Los
Angeles, ANC activists from local ANCs across the city were volunteering at
the Union Rescue Mission to commemorate the genocide in their own way by
giving back to the community.
"At the time of the Armenian Genocide, the United States launched a great
humanitarian relief effort to help save the victims. America, particularly
California and Los Angeles, became a refuge for those who barely escaped
with their lives," said Tereza Yerimyan who organized the effort as an
intern with the Armenian National Committee-Western Region.
Volunteers, like the Chalian family from the San Fernando Valley and ANC
Hollywood Chairman Rostom Sarkissian and activist Jennifer McGraw joined
Tereza as well as ANC-WR Community Relations Director Haig Hovsepian to help
the Union Rescue Mission feed those less fortunate for the day. The Union
Rescue Mission, which serves the Los Angeles community, tends to the needs
of over a 1000 individuals every day.
"Americans from throughout the country helped genocide survivors in their
time of need. As descendents of those survivors, we wanted to give back to
those today who are in their time of greatest need," said Sarkissian. "We
honored and remembered those we lost and those who helped us as a way to
shine a spotlight on the Armenian Genocide, its continued denial and the
current cycle of genocide which still exists to this day. I encourage
everyone to confront this crime against humanity by showing our humanity to
those who need a helping hand."
The Armenian National Committee-Western Region is the largest Armenian
American grassroots community organization in the Western United States.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the
country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of
concern to the Armenian American community.