For Immediate Release ~ September 17, 2007
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian ~ 818-243-6222
| Chairperson Maria Mehranian flanked by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian (L), Consul General Armen Liloyan (C), Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian (R) and Edik Balaian (far right) |
Los Angeles, CA – Armenia Fund launched its 10th International Telethon campaign on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at Glendale’s Alex Theatre Forecourt. The special event has been a tradition for the past four years and features the unveiling of the Telethon’s logo. Over two hundred long-time supporters and donors, as well as community leaders and public officials were present during the unveiling. The reception featured a live performance by Gor Mkhitarian and his band presenting stunning modern arrangements of traditional Armenian folk music.
| Graphic design artist Edik Balaian standing in front of the logo |
This year, the logo was designed by Los Angeles based graphic design artist Edik Balaian, who was also present at the event. The new logo is the face of Armenia Fund’s international Telethon campaign. It presents a person holding a sun. The sun is reminiscent of the ancient rock carvings from the Geghama Mountain range in Armenia. It symbolizes new life and vitality for Armenia. The new logo’s slogan “One Nation. One Future.” will be at the forefront of the campaign.
“Since this is the 15th anniversary of Armenia Fund, this year is a very important year for the Fund. We are holding our tenth annual international Telethon knowing that Armenia is a better place because of the infrastructure development work that Armenia Fund has done in the past years. I want to assure you that by standing next to Armenia Fund you made a difference in the lives of the children who were born fifteen years ago. By renovating schools, rebuilding hospitals and constructing major roads, together we have improved the quality of life in the Republics of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh”, said Maria Mehranian, Chairperson of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region.
| Vice-Chairman Ara Aghishian, Esq. welcoming the guests |
This multilevel project will revitalize Armenia’s rural villages through the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, drinking water systems, access roads and creating economic opportunities. The program will be coordinated with the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation and the United Nations Development Programme and all other international organizations that are currently active in Armenia’s villages.
Telethon 2007 logo was unveiled by its two youngest supporters, Andrew and Ariana Aghajanian. Upon unveiling the logo Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian were invited to bless the logo.
| Armenia Fund's youngest supporters, Ariana and Andrew Aghajanian unveil the logo |
The highlight of the reception was Mehranian’s surprise announcement that through the continuous efforts of Mark Geragos, a long time supporter and a member of the International Board of Trustees of Armenia Fund, the New York Life Insurance Settlement Fund has allocated $200,000 for the Village Development Program as seed money. Adding to the excitement, long time Armenia Fund donors Mr. & Mrs. Harry and Aida Chakarian presented a check totaling $10,000.
“The Village Development Program is a monumental project that will require the undivided and continuous support of Armenians living across the globe – something that Armenia Fund has solidly garnered for the past 15 years”, said Sarkis Kotanjian, Public Relations Director of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region.
| Gor Mkhitarian and band rock the Alex Theatre |
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
