PRESS RELEASE
PAROS “LIGHTHOUSE” CHARITABLE FOUNDATION USA
P.O. Box 3595
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Contact: Beth Broussalian
Tel: 858-792-4656
Fax: 858-792-4656
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
The Paros Foundation
Tel: 310-400-9061 US or (091) 426 120 Armenia
Email: [email protected]
SHARE-A-PAIR COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL DISTRIBUTION OF 25,000 SHOES TO
ARMENIAN CHILDREN
YEREVAN, Armenia– Share-a-Pair, part of The Paros Foundation’s
100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity has
successfully distributed more than 25,000 pairs of new shoes to
Armenia’s most needy children.
Thanks to the support of generous sponsors and a major U.S. shoe
manufacturer, The Paros Foundation staff and its volunteers and
non-governmental organization partners, coordinated the effort
to distribute shoes to children in need. Shoes were distributed
to children in 11 orphanages, 8 boarding schools, 12 NGOs, and
in14 cities and more than 100 villages throughout Armenia.
Volunteers from Armenia, Sweden and the United States joined
together in this ambitious distribution effort.
“Share-a-Pair embarked on the daunting task of putting shoes on
the feet of children in Armenia’s most isolated and economically
challenged villages and regions.” Said Peter Abajian, Executive
Director of The Paros Foundation. “Paros Foundation Staff and
volunteers visited more than 100 villages using kindergartens
and schools as distribution points within a 3-month period.”
“Working to get shoes to children in the villages was exhausting.
” Said Kristen Abajian, co-founder of Share-a-Pair. “Long drives
on terrible roads, beautiful scenery and difficult conditions in
the villages made this experience an emotional one for all of us
. Seeing happy children and smiling faces made it all worth while
.”
The Paros Foundation has produced a short nine-minute video
featuring the shoe distribution process and some of the
beneficiaries. The video is available by calling (310) 400-9061,
or can be found on the Foundation’s website www.paros
-foundation.org [], facebook page
or on youtube ( []).
“When we started Share-a-Pair 18 months ago, our goal was clear
and within reach-put 1,000 pairs of new shoes on the feet of
needy Armenian children. I am so thankful that with the support
of a selfless group of volunteers and donors, we were able to
not only reach, but also far exceed our original goal. Now our
focus shifts to warm winter boots,” said co-founder Bridget
Abajian.
The Share-a-Pair team has now launched an effort to put warm
winter boots on the feet of Armenia’s needy children called ”
Operation Winter Boots.” Donations are welcome in any amount, and
a $20 donation will
ensure a child’s feet stay warm in Armenia this winter.
The Paros Foundation was formally launched in 2006 and is based
in Berkeley, California. Its Chairman, Roger Strauch, and
Executive Director, Peter Abajian, have a long history of
working with Armenia and the Armenian-American community to
support Armenia’s rich culture and heritage, improve the lives
of people with disabilities and to create positive opportunities
for Armenia’s children. In 2011, The Paros Foundation launched
its Paros 100 for 100, Projects for Prosperity initiative to
properly commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide
through the implementation of 100 special projects benefiting
Armenia and her people. The Paros Foundation is not affiliated
with the Ghazarian family’s Paros “Lighthouse” Charitable
Foundation.
For more information and to get involved, please visit www.paros
-foundation.org [].
About The Paros Foundation
Officially launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation has identified
and partnered with six organizations in Armenia (The Paros
Chamber Choir ( []), Unison NGO
( []), Vanadzor Arts School (
[]), Manana
Youth Center ( []
), Vanadzor Museum of Fine Art (
[]) and the Ghoghanj Children’s Center (
[]).) These
organizations serve as leaders in their respective fields of
children, people with disabilities and the arts. Foundation
support comes in the form of organizational operating funds,
office space and organizational resources and mentoring. The
mission is to help these modest size projects manage their
growth and attract more financial, human, and physical resources
to their respective causes.
Donations to The Paros Foundation are tax-deductible to the
fullest extent allowed by law. The Paros Foundation is a 501(c)3
Private Foundation.
To learn more about the Paros 100 for 100 please visit
[] or contact The Paros
Foundation at (310) 400-9061 US or (091) 426 120 Armenia, or
via email at [[email protected]].
From: A. Papazian