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$147,000 Raised For Syrian Armenian Relief Fund

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  • $147,000 Raised For Syrian Armenian Relief Fund

    $147,000 RAISED FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF FUND

    armradio.am
    13:08 25.09.2012

    Armenia, SyriaThe first fundraiser by the Syrian Armenian Relief
    Fund (SARF) was held on September 19 at the Phoenicia Restaurant
    inGlendale. More than 100 people attended the event, including
    representatives of the leadership of the organizations, which make
    up the coalition.

    Sona Madarian, the SARF Executive Committee Secretary, made her
    welcoming remarks as the MC and reaffirmed the Armenians' will to
    survive, recalling how Armenian Genocide survivors arrived inSyria,
    and rebuilt their lives. She invited the clergy, representing the
    Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical denominations to bless the food.

    Throughout the program, each of the church leaders urged those present
    to do their part to help the Syrian-Armenians, during their time
    of need.

    Rev. Fr. Krikor Chahinian, representing the Armenian Catholic Eparchy
    in North America, said that as we live as Christians, our hearts
    need to be open; our hearts will be open, when our hands are open,
    so that we can reach out to those who need our help.

    Arch. Hovnan Derderian, representing the Western Diocese of the
    Armenian Church of North America, expressed his concern for the
    endangered Syrian-Armenian population, welcomed the creation of the
    SARF committee, and hoped that the spirit of giving by the supporters
    becomes contagious to the rest of the community.

    Rev. Joseph Matossian, representing the Armenian Evangelical Union of
    North America, thanked God that Armenians are resilient people and will
    endure through the crisis in Syria, and appealed to those present to do
    their share as a Christian brotherly responsibility, not as a burden.

    Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian, representing the Western Prelacy of the
    Armenian Apostolic Church of America, who was instrumental in helping
    to bring the SARF coalition together, quoted His Holiness Aram I
    that we need to be committed to our responsibility to preserve and
    safeguard our communities in Syria.

    The Prelate recalled that the initial response to the crisis inSyriawas
    to help the schools. The Prelate praised the Armenian Relief Society
    for accomplishing that objective early on. The Prelacy had called the
    boards of alumni associations of the schools inSyriato alert them of
    the situation, many of whom were attending the fundraiser. Recalling
    how the Armenians of Syria had provided assistance to the Armenians of
    Lebanon during the civil war, and noting how so many of the leadership
    in many communities have their roots in Syria, the Prelate urged
    those present to make their contributions.

    Zaven Khanjian, SARF Executive Committee Chairperson, thanked everyone
    who made the event possible, and remarked, "You are here tonight
    because you care, you are a responsible person and whether you are
    able or not, you sure are willing to sacrifice, give of yourself,
    reach out, extend a hand to a community that has been devastated
    and because you realize and believe that the preservation of that
    community experiencing a calamity is of the highest national interest
    and priority."

    Meher Der Ohanessian, SARF Executive Committee Treasurer, praised
    all the contributors and reported the donations by the SARF-member
    organizations, alumni associations and the individual donors during
    the program, as well as through the mailed checks and on-line
    donations. The total reached $147 thousand.

    The Syrian Armenian Relief Fund's mission is to provide immediate
    assistance to the Syrian-Armenians, through the generous donations
    of the community in theWestern United States, and the following
    network of churches, political parties and charity organizations,
    which operate in the region:

    Armenian Catholic Eparchy in North America; Armenian Evangelical Union
    of North America; Western Diocese of the Armenian Church; Western
    Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Armenian General
    Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of America; Armenian
    Relief Society of Western U.S.A.; Armenian Democratic Liberal Party;
    Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Western U.S.A.; and Social Democrat
    Hunchakian Party-Western U.S.A.


    From: Baghdasarian
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