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PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, October 25, 2007
New England District Raises $15,000 for AGBU’s Karabakh Repopulation
Project
On September 22, Armenians both young and old put on their dancing shoes
to fundraise for a cause. The AGBU New England District, St. James
Armenian Church, and several donors from a variety of different
organizations teamed up to raise $15,000 for AGBU’s Karabakh
Repopulation Project (KRP) through a very social dance event in the
Boston area.
The AGBU Karabakh Repopulation Project began in 2002 with efforts to
rebuild the war-torn villages that still remain abandoned following the
1988-1994 conflict with Azerbaijan.
After five months of planning, the event brought over 350 people to St.
James Armenian Church in Watertown, Massachusetts for over five hours of
fun. The church provided their venue free of charge as a donation to
KRP.
Robert Chilingirian and his Los Angeles-based band kept the party alive
with a selection of Armenian and American music throughout the evening.
Light appetizers and beverages were served to the energetic crowd.
Raffle donations for an LCD TV, jewelry and gift certificates to local
restaurants and salons were made throughout the evening. The dance
committee reported over $15,000 secured for the Karabakh Repopulation
Project. They plan to earmark this money for new homes in the village of
Norashen. In 2006, AGBU built the Norashen School to attract families to
this region and a community continues to flourish today.
Souren Maserejian, New England District Chairman, said he had never
seen such an active, enthusiastic crowd of young Armenian professionals
in AGBU’s history in Massachusetts. Alexis Demerjian, AGBU Young
Professionals of Boston chairwoman, reflected this passion and
camaraderie in her opening remarks. A letter outlining the Karabakh
projects in Norashen by AGBU President Berge Setrakian was also read,
and Fr. Arakel Aljalian, pastor of the St. James Armenian Church, later
expressed his gratitude to the Boston-Armenian community.
The dedicated New England District Committee worked tirelessly to raise
awareness and funds for this Karabakh project event. AGBU New England
District Committee members are: Chairman Souren Maserejian, Treasurer
Alex Kalaydjian, Secretary Natalie Maserejian, Vartuhi Cholakian, Bedros
Dilsizian, Maro Getzoyan, Michael Gulbankian, Annie Kalaydjian, Lisa
Maserejian, Anahid Salakian, Sarkis Salakian, Gregory Seymourian, and
Garo Yavshayan. The special event committee members were: Linda
Abkarian, Nigoghos Atinizian, Alexis Demirjian, Charlie Minasian, Suzy
Naroian, Karnig Ostayan, Mayda Yetimian, Mourad Yuzlek, and Lisa Yuzlek.
The Knights of Vartan chapter also volunteered its time and energy for
the event.
It was evident at the event that Armenian Americans have an ongoing
interest in aiding post-war Karabakh. Several guests were not aware of
KRP until this social function and now are interested in learning more,
already visiting the AGBU website. Maserejian said that the event’s
cause drew in a variety of different groups, all dedicated to the
repopulation of this region of our motherland.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35 countries.