PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
28 November, 2008
Hayastan All Armenian Fund Raises Record Breaking US $35 009 156 at Annual
Telethon
Yerevan, November 28, 2008. – Hayastan All Armenian Fund is pleased to
announce the successful completion of the Telethon 2008. With US $35 009 156
pledged during the 12 hours of live broadcast from Los Angeles, US, this
year’s Telethon has marked an unprecedented fundraising landmark for the
Fund, more than doubling the already impressive results of the previous
Telethon. The funds raised during the Telethon 2008 will go towards the
revival of border villages in Armenia and Artsakh.
Donations made by the Hayastan Fund affiliates include: Hayastan Fund USA
West Coast affiliate – around $1 300 000, Lebanon – around $200 000,
Montreal – around $130 000, Argentine – $100 000, Great Britain – $200 000,
Netherlands – $40 000, Australia – $50 000, USA Fund New York – $200 000,
France – $1 500 000, Germany – $85 000, $Switzerland – around 33 000,
Toronto $250 000, $Greece and Cyprus – around 40 000.
In the days leading to the Telethon, a number of fundraising activities were
organized around the world including phoneathons held in France, Argentine
and New York, fundraising bike-ride, radiothon, galas, and charity concerts
registered unprecedented activity, significantly upping the bar of the
precious fundraising efforts.
Telethon 2008 secured a significant increase in public participation, as
well as small and medium-sized donations next to large ones. Russia-based
Armenian businessman has pledged $15 million, which will be used to
construct a hospital in Stepanakert. Other major donors include
VivaCell-MTS, Mikael Vardanyan, Samvel Aleksanyan, Eduardo Eurnekian, Gagik
Adibekyan, Varujan Grigoryan, Gagik Zakaryan, Norik Petrosyan, Barsegh
Beglaryan, Aram Kocharyan, Khachik Manukyan, Karapet Aleksanyan.
Armenia’s involvement in Telethon 2008 was marked by a significant rise in
the number of people who made a donation, making their investment in the
future of our homeland. People made their contribution by transferring funds
to the Hayastan Fund’s accounts, through the local post offices or by
visiting the Fund’s office on the Republic Square. Among the ordinary donors
was the Hovsepyan family from Yerevan who visited the Fund Executive Board
office shortly before midnight with the young members – Armen 4, Vache 11,
Arman 11 and Ara 13 – each contributing several dollars to the telethon. Ara
said he had participated in the last year’s telethon as well. His wish was
that Hayastan fund constructs more nice schools and kindergartens.
Eleven years since the first telethon was broadcast from Los Angeles on
Thanksgiving Day, these annual events have grown to become an established
and time honored tradition attracting thousands of millions of viewers
during the twelve hours of live airtime. This year, Armenians from around
the world were able to tune in using television, satellite, cable, and
internet networks and be part of the all Armenian effort of bringing change
and a new hope to the people living in the border communities. These
villages – some ravaged by war, others by economic turmoil – face a variety
of complex issues, some of which will now be possible to solve thanks to the
patriotism and generosity of our compatriots from around the world and
Armenia itself.
Among dignified guests were President of Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan,
Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Pargev, Hayastan All Armenian Fund
Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan, other benefactors and public
figures.
"This year’s telethon is a testament to the strength and unity of our
nation," says Ara Vardanyan, the Acting Executive Director of Hayastan All
Armenian Fund. "These are trying times, not only for Armenia and Artsakh but
for the entire world that was badly shaken by current economic crisis. And
yet, despite the many difficulties and obstacles, Armenians from around the
world have come forth and extended a helping hand to their compatriots in
the villages of Armenia and Artsakh in an unprecedented show of compassion
and patriotism. I think that this is a day when each of us should be
especially proud to be an Armenian, part of the nation that never gives up
and is ready to build the future with its own hands".
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Hayastan All-Armenian Fund