CLEVELAND COMMUNITY RAISES $8,000 FOR SYRIAN RELIEF
December 18, 2012
NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio-The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Cleveland
“Artsakh” Chapter on Sun., Nov. 11, organized a fundraising event to
support the Syrian-Armenians currently suffering from the atrocities
of war. The Cleveland Armenian community came together at Holy Cross
Armenian Apostolic Church, and raised a total of $8,300.
The event began with the singing of the Armenian National Anthem,
“Mer Hairenik.” Ungerouhi Rose Paratto from the Cleveland chapter
conveyed the ARS’s mission, as well as the Syrian-Armenians’ current
harrowing situation. Paratto then introduced several special guests
who had come from out of town to support the event; they included
Angele Manoogian from the ARS Central Committee, Arpy Seferian from
the ARS Chicago “Zabelle” Chapter, and Ani Attar from ARS Eastern
USA Regional Board of Directors, who addressed the community.
Antranig Kasbarian from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
also addressed the community. Although no stranger to the Cleveland
Armenian community, George Asadorian was introduced and addressed
the group, and encouraged the fundraising marathon.
Members of the ARS “Artsakh” Chapter donated, cooked, and graciously
served the food and desserts. Other members of the community also
donated desserts and lavash bread.
Rev. Fr. Der Vazken Bekiarian from the Holy Cross Armenian Church
(Prelacy) and Rev. Fr. Der Hratch Sargsyan from St. Gregory of Narek
(Diocese) both offered their prayers for the Syrian-Armenians, and
also spoke briefly regarding the situation.
The organizers thanked the Armenian community of Cleveland for their
generosity, and all of the individuals who volunteered and donated
to the event. May our Lord bless what we collected in this event and
may it be of good help to many Armenian families in crisis, saving
our Armenian schools, churches, and organizations in Syria during
this very difficult time.
From: A. Papazian