PRESS RELEASE
ANCA Telethon 2006
Armenian National Committee of America
104 N. Belmont St., Suite 200, Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 500-1918
(818) 246-7353 fax
Email: [email protected]
For more information:
Maral Habeshian
(818) 500-1918
ANCA Launches Nationwide Telethon
Grassroots Advocacy Organization Expanding Operations in Nation’s Capital
and across U.S.
(Washington, DC – March 29, 2006) – The Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) announced today that it will launch its first nationwide
telethon on May 21, 2006 with the theme “Securing our roots. Building for
the future.”
The goal of the telethon, which will air around the United States on
television stations in major Armenian communities and via satellite TV, is
to raise funds to expand its work and programs in service to the Armenian
Cause (Hai Tahd). The ANCA has been stepping up its advocacy efforts over
the last decade on many issues important to the Armenian community and the
telethon will raise the additional financial resources necessary to meet the
growing challenges facing the Armenian people.
As a first step in these expansion plans, in early March the ANCA Endowment
made a historic announcement regarding a state-of-the-art building it
purchased from AOL founder Steve Case, which is located in the heart of the
nation’s capital, Washington, DC. The building, which is equipped with the
latest technology, is located blocks from the White House and near Embassy
Row where most embassies representing countries from around the world are
located.
“Now is the time to build on our successes with a national telethon devoted
to “Hai Tahd” – the Armenian Cause,” said Ken Hachikian, Chairman of the
ANCA. “We look forward to generating the increased political power,
influence and respect that the Armenian American community deserves – and
that the Armenian homeland needs. Purchasing a building in the heart of
Washington, DC’s political establishment gives the Armenian Cause a
permanent home in the U.S. and provides a platform to expand our service to
the Armenian nation.”
The ANCA telethon will be broadcast from 6:00pm to midnight Eastern Standard
Time (EST) and 3:00-9:00pm Pacific Standard Time (PST) respectively on May
21st and will feature a wide array of engaging programming including
documentaries, prominent political figures, community representatives and
artistic performances, all with an eye toward raising substantial funds to
support the ANCA’s advocacy programs throughout the United States.
“The launch of the ANCA Telethon represents an historic occasion to both
demonstrate the substantial progress and results the ANCA has achieved for
the Armenian Cause and to outline our plans for the future,” said Zanku
Armenian, spokesperson for the ANCA Telethon. “We are at a defining moment
for Hai Tahd and need to expand our infrastructure to meet the increasing
challenges from the many forces arrayed against our nation, our homeland,
and our struggle for justice. The Telethon will provide a unique forum to
unify our community’s strength, foster greater participation, and generate
the resources we need to advance the Armenian Cause.”
The genesis of the ANCA Telethon theme, “Securing our roots. Building for
the future,” reflects the ANCA’s respect for our roots and our aspirations
for the future. “Securing our roots” represents our enduring historic
roots as a people, our grassroots around the country, and our deep roots in
Washington, DC. At its core, grassroots advocacy is the very soul of the
ANCA. While “Building for the future” represents the ANCA’s constant
efforts to expand its effectiveness as a world-class organization,
recognized internationally as the principled and forceful voice of the
Armenian American community.