AF USA Efforts Resulted in Unprecedented Success in 2004 Telethon

Armenia Fund USA
152 Madison Ave, #803
New York, NY 10016
Contact: Lisa Markarian
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: <; Armenia Fund USA's Fundraising Efforts Resulted in Unprecedented Success in the 2004 Telethon Every Thanksgiving Day marks the annual Armenia Fund Telethon, and this year was no different. Contributions poured in non-stop from around the globe to volunteer and staff phone bank operators in The Fund's New York City and Glendale offices - Germany, Russia, France, England, Holland, Brazil, Argentina, cities around the US, and even Armenia and Karabakh are just some countries that got involved. It is a monumental initiative that brings each and every one of us together, remembering why we are so scattered, obligating us to rise up to the occasion and help our homeland. This day echoes the words of William Saroyan from so long ago, ".for when two Armenians meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a new Armenia". And, that is what the Telethon proves to do again and again. The North South Highway, a much needed infrastructure development project in Karabakh has been funded with an additional $11 million dollars. Doubling the funds contributed in 2003 and putting us at the finish line for completing this bold $25 million project that started a mere 5 years ago. That is 150 towns and villages throughout the republic with access to food and other necessities so basic, the rest of us don't think twice about it. It's no wonder everyone refers to the North South Highway as the backbone of Karabakh. Heading the charge of this major fundraising initiative is the collaboration between Armenia Fund USA based in New York City, serving all constituents in the Eastern United States, and Armenia Fund Inc. based in Glendale and serving the constituency in the Western United States. These are two of the 18 affiliated offices around the world to Hayastan All Armenian Fund based in Armenia. Each affiliate office serves the constituency it is indigenous to by adopting infrastructure development projects in Armenia and Karabakh and directing their own fundraising campaigns. The North South Highway is the one project that brings each of these affiliate offices together every year in a worldwide campaign. What went into the success, broadcasted via the organization's Thanksgiving Day Telethon, was a year's worth of hard work. Kevork Toroyan, Board Chairman of Armenia Fund USA, the Eastern United States affiliate of Hayastan All Armenian Fund reported that the major fundraising campaign was more than just what was aired on Thanksgiving Day. It involved inspiring major donation from noteworthy leaders in the community, mass mailings, advertisements, phonations, and regional events, all culminating with the global reach of the Telethon to bring the viewership an interesting program and raise money for a worthy cause. The program showcased new development footage direct from Armenia and Karabakh, messages and performances from popular artists like the MET Opera Singer Isabel Bayrakdarian and Zulal trio of a capella singers, key note messages from political leaders like Massachusetts Representative Peter Koutoujian, New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, all among countless other supporters. Broadcasting reached 45 million households in the US alone, with extended viewing capabilities from satellite TV and web-casting garnering involvement from smaller Armenian communities in the US like South Carolina and Georgia. This comprehensive campaign designed to direct positive change got off to an amazing start with the pre-telethon fundraising initiatives hosted by Armenia Fund USA with the much anticipated delegation visit headed by Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan and accompanied in part by Himnadram Executive Director Naira Melkoumian for special engagements and public speaking appearances in Boston, Detroit, and the New York Metropolitan area all to drive awareness for the telethon, before heading off to the studios in Glendale, California. These regional events and other meetings culminated with nearly $6 million in donations from notable philanthropic leaders and all other supporters in various Eastern US cities. On behalf of the Manoogian Simone Foundation, Mrs. Simone contributed $1 million during pre-telethon fundraising initiatives, with an additional $1 million pledged as a matching gift incentive. It was a gracious effort on her part standing true to her convictions recognizing that, ".the North South Highway is a crucial project to the future development and stability of Karabakh, one that every Armenian must extend themselves to help complete." Notable contribution garnered from other enthusiastic philanthropists include $1 million donations from Sarkis Acopian, Hirair Hovnanian, and Kevork Hovnanian, $500,000 from Carolyn Mugar, and $50,000 from Gerard Cafesjian and Hratch Kaprielian. Over $11million dollars was raised by the end of the Telethon with generous outpouring of support from all corners of the world - Eastern United States $5.7 million; Argentina: $1.5 million; Western United States: $1.4 million; Armenia and Karabakh: $1.1 million; France and the rest of the world: $1.3 million. Armenians worldwide should be proud of the teamwork-like effort generated to "Make it Happen," as the Telethon slogan directed, proving that the Diaspora is as strong as ever in its support for building infrastructure to sustain Armenia and Karabakh's security and future. Sending this kind of message of support only gives credence to "The Economist" journal's unbiased and unsolicited recent reports indicating that investment from the Armenian Diaspora has boosted Karabakh's economy and that the roads of Karabakh may be the best maintained in the Caucasus. This is all with thanks to you, our donors and friends. The overwhelming results from the year-long effort indicate that Armenia Fund has the mandate worldwide to go beyond the one-day Telethon to raise money, but systematically cultivate its base of support for years to come. Armenia Fund USA and its seventeen related affiliates promise to continue promoting large scale initiatives to further build upon the large imprint it has made, and as part of its mission, continue to adhere to stringent processes of accountability that has enabled the organization to be so successful. Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability, Armenia Fund USA is a unique organization in that its sole purpose is to promote Armenia's growth in order to sustain itself for future generations. Armenia Fund dedicates itself to supporting large-scale initiatives in both Armenia and Karabakh and is supported by Armenians world-wide. Endorsed by all major Armenian political and religious factions, Armenia Fund maintains its independence from these umbrella organizations and works closely with the governments of Armenia and Karabakh building roads, schools, medical facilities, utilities and humanitarian programs, upholding stringent project oversight measures at every juncture. Founded in 1992, Armenia Fund USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) representing the support of Armenian Diasporans in the Eastern United States and was the first of Hayastan All Armenian Fund's 18 international hubs to help the homeland. Armenia Fund USA has already helped build 138 miles of roads, 81 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 14 healthcare institutions. These and all projects initiated by The Fund are designed to not only ease the hardships of the people of Armenia and Karabakh for the current time, but more importantly to ensure their continual growth and productivity for the future. Armenia Fund USA's mission of accountability is built upon a pledge of responsibility to benefactors and recipients alike. All contributions are 100% tax deductible. To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, go to <; , or write/call for a free marketing packet at Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (212) 689-5307.