RECORD HIGH RESULT
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
11 Dec 2006
Telethon 2006 of Armenia Foundation had a record high amount of
donations and pledges – 13.7 million dollars. The highest result of
all the previous eight telethons was 12 million. The 9th telethon of
Armenia Foundation was held to raise funds for the Rebirth of Artsakh
Project. The result of the telethon was predictable because before
November 23 the foundation had got a great number of donations from
individuals and companies and the phonethons held in Armenia and
Europe had significant results. On November 23 it was stated at the
beginning of the telethon that it starts with already 2.4 million
dollars of donations and pledges, including 1.2 million from Armenia
and Artsakh and 1.4 million from Europe. The Armenians worldwide were
not indifferent towards the Rebirth of Artsakh Project. The donations
gathered momentum within the first hour, and philanthropists and
"ordinary" donators sustained the high rates of growth of the result
of the telethon. Sargis Hakobyan pledged the first large donation – 550
thousand dollars – for the development of the region of Hadrut. Louise
Manoogian Simon pledged 500 thousand dollars for the development of
the region of Hadrut. During the telethon Albert Boyajian, member of
the board of trustees, announced about his friend Gerry Turpanjian’s
donation of 1 million 250 thousand dollars. This money will be spent on
the construction of a school in Stepanakert. Vahe Karapetian donated
1.5 million dollars for the road to Amaras Monastery. Deputy CEO
Harut Sasunian announced about a 2 million dollar donation by Kirk
Kirkorian through Lincy Foundation. The money will be spent on the
construction and reconstruction of educational institutions in NKR. Ara
Abrahamian, president of the Union of Armenians of Russia, pledged
1 million dollars. The money will be spent on the construction of a
new school in Stepanakert. The American Project C.U.R.E. organization
also pledged 2 million dollars. The regional hospital of Hadrut will
be provided with medical equipment, which is included in the project
of reconstruction. The same organization will give medical equipment
costing 1.5 million dollars to the regional hospital of Martakert. The
Los Angeles branch of the foundation donated 1.5 million dollars
and the New York Branch donated 900 thousand dollars. The Armenian
businessmen and companies also made donations. Michael Baghdasarov
pledged 100 million dollars, Member of Parliament Ruben Hayrapetian,
the president of the Football Federation of Armenia, and Member of
Parliament Samvel Alexanian donated 50 thousand dollars each. Vivacell
donated 70 thousand dollars, ASHIB invested 41 thousand dollars, and
ACBA Credit Agricole Bank donated 25 thousand dollars. The foundation
will release detailed information on donations by individuals and
organizations of Armenia. The success of Telethon 2006 was determined
by the fact that philanthropists and "ordinary" donators participated
equally actively. The Rebirth of Artsakh Project got donations not
only for the reconstruction of Hadrut but also other entitlement
programs. Therefore, the Foundation is grateful to everyone who
contributed. On November 23 the executive board of the foundation
received hundreds of phone calls and donations from Armenia, Artsakh,
Germany, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Belgium, France, Holland, Ukraine,
Greece and other countries. The foundation will publish the names of
donators in the annual book of the foundation in May 2007.