For Immediate Release ~ November 21, 2006
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian ~ 818-243-6222
| AGBU MDS campus during the thermometer unveiling ceremony |
Los Angeles, CA - Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is pleased to announce that one of its long time supporters AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School of Canoga Park, California has raised more than $112,000 for a local village school in the Hadrut Region. Proceeds from the total amount, which will be announced on the day of the Telethon, will benefit the construction of a new school in Hakaku, replacing the old, dilapidated building.
On Friday, November 17, 2006, H.E. President Ghoukasian of Nagorno Karabakh, along with executives of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region visited the school. Present at the visit were newly appointed Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, The Honorable Armen Liloyan, NKR Permanent Representative Vardan Barseghian, Armenia Fund International Trustee Albert Boyajian, and Armenia Fund International Deputy Executive Director Ara Vardanyan. Prior to the visit, the school had prepared a thermometer- like scale to display the amount raised for the Hakaku School. Students from the graduating class of 2007, unveiled the thermometer in the presence of President Ghoukasian and other guests. The memorable event brought together parents, faculty, and school board members. After the unveiling of the thermometer, the student body kicked off its Walk-A-Thon. Students were set to walk from the school grounds to St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church of Van Nuys.
School Board Chairman Sinan Sinanian thanked President Ghoukasian for taking the time off his busy schedule in visiting the students of AGBU MDS. He stressed that his visit further energized the students to continue raising funds for the Hakaku School. President Ghoukasian thanked the school for its warm welcome. He conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the students and faculty members for spending more than 2 months in organizing fundraisers and rallying critical support for the Hadrut School. Among various events, the school organized a fashion show, bake sales, and numerous other events benefiting the Hakaku School.
The Hakaku School in Hadrut was built during Soviet times in 1985. Lacking any form of proper maintenance, the school fell to a state beyond repair. The single story village school will be demolished and a new school for 120 students will be built in its place. The construction of the school is part of the educational revitalization component of the Hadrut Regional Development Project.
Armenia Fund would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Anahid Nalbandian, a faculty member at AGBU MDS for spearheading this gargantuan effort.
Using this special occasion, Armenia Fund would like to convey its utmost gratitude to Annette Kiureghian a dedicated supporter of Armenia Fund who spent countless hours coordinating fundraising events with the school.
Armenia Fund's 9th Annual International Telethon will air on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006 from 8am-8pm PST. For complete broadcast information on how to reach the telethon, please visit www.armeniafund.org The live 12 hour program will be webcasted on www.armeniafund.org.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $160 million in development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698
