For Immediate Release ~ July 14, 2008
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian ~ 818-243-6222
Los Angeles, CA - Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region and Armenia Fund –Toronto, Canada, two major affiliates of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund in the Western Hemisphere come together to announce the launch of a recruitment process for their upcoming “Armenia Fund Bike Ride 2008”. This special fundraising event, sponsored by the two affiliates, is a bicycle ride from Monterey, CA to Los Angeles, CA, spanning more than 350 miles (555km) along the breathtaking California coast. The Bike Ride will take place over a course of six days, starting October 28 and ending November 2, 2008.
Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region and Toronto, Canadian affiliates welcome individuals who are interested in joining the Bike Ride by contacting the respective Los Angeles or Toronto offices. Bicycle riders have the option of participating in the full 350 mile ride or the final 70 miles, during the last day of the event. The partial ride is suitable for people who are unable to commit to a week, but want to help Armenia Fund. Individuals interested in participating in the bike ride as well as businesses interested in sponsoring the event should contact bikeride@armeniafund.org. Extensive information as well as online registration will be available on the Armenia Fund website within the next few days.
| The Spitakashen School will be modeled after the Drmbon School pictured above. The School was sponsored by the Fund's French affiliate - Fonds Armenien de France. |
Proceeds from the Bike Ride will benefit the construction of a school in Spitakashen village in the Martuni region of Nagorno Karabakh. Recently, in May 2008, the Canadian (Toronto) affiliate unveiled a new, similar school in Verin Horatagh of Martakert, NKR. The school was named after Baroness Caroline Cox. “Armenia Fund’s long term development goal is to help secure the future of the next generation of Armenia - today’s children. It is our responsibility to empower these beautiful kids - the faces of Armenia. Let us give them the comfort of a warm, modern school to nurture them academically and morally,” stated Maria Mehranian, Chairperson of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region. “The Bike Ride will be a special event that will help connect our supporters to the cause of Armenian nation building, at the same time, enjoying the California outdoors,” added Mehranian.
Mig Migirdicyan, Chairman of the Toronto affiliate stated, “We are very excited with this fundraising drive which is also demonstrating an excellent example of coordination between Toronto and Western U.S.A. chapters of the Fund. Together we can!"
Calabrina Boyajian of Toronto will volunteer her time as the Bike Ride’s event director. She is a professional in the fitness field for the past 15 years and along with other guides will lead the team of cyclists from Monterey to Los Angeles.
“On a personal level, the most memorable events were when I rode for 3 weeks through Wales and ran the Honolulu Marathon in support of the Diabetes Association”, stated Calabrina. “This year we want to do something big that will capture and interest people’s imagination, and draw Armenians together to give more kids a brighter future. The ride will be a challenge, but with a little determination and motivation I really believe anyone can do it, so I strongly encourage others to join me,” added Calabrina.
"The Bike Ride is a bold Los Angeles/Toronto joint initiative, intended to provide the participants one more path to contribute to the LA Telethon, and add another dimension to its success,” declared Ara Boyajian, a member of Armenia Fund’s International Board of Trustees (Hayastan All-Armenian Fund).
Presently, Calabrina is working along with the Armenia Fund’s U.S. Western Region offices in recruiting bicycle riders, individuals and businesses who will serve in a supporting role to the riders. “I want to thank Calabrina and the Toronto affiliate for partnering with us on this special event. The greater Armenia Fund family of affiliates is working together for the purpose of helping the Homeland”, stated Sarkis Kotanjian, Director of Public Relations of Armenia Fund.
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 $190 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
