ARS CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN MOTHER
Tuesday, December 17th, 2013
Above: ARS members and guests took the stage to recite poems. Below:
photographs of early 20th Century famous Armenian mothers lined
the hall.
GLENDALE-Performers Nune Avetisyan and Hovannes Shahbazian entertained
to celebrate the “Year of the Armenian Mother” and raise funds for
Armenian Relief Society (ARS) programs in the Western United States
on December 8, 2013, at the Brandview Banquet Hall in Glendale,
California.
ARS-WUSA General Manager Jasik Jarahian, who emceed the event,
explained that His Holiness Catholicos Aram I had declared the year
2013 as the “Year of the Armenian Mother.” Photographs of early 20th
Century famous Armenian mothers lined the hall, along with Christmas
decorations. ARS Central Executive Board Member, Annie Kechician,
who is the liaison to the western region, attended the event.
ARS-WUSA Regional Executive Chairperson Lena Bozoyan presented the key
address, praising mothers and ARS members for their motherly love, for
providing hope, warmth, confidence and security for the organizations
and people of the community. Bozoyan looked back on how Armenian
mothers acted throughout history with self-sacrifice to uphold their
homes and people. She applauded the role of the ARS members in helping
those in need as well as passing our history and culture to the youth.
The event featured beautiful combinations of poetic messages and
recitations by artist and TV personality Nune Avetisyan, and a musical
performance by singer Hovhannes Shahbazyan
Bozoyan asked the attendees to remember during our Christmas
celebrations: the Armenians of Syria, wherever they are; families
experiencing financial crises; women being subjected to domestic
violence; soldiers protecting our national borders; and Javakhk
villagers struggling to live under harsh conditions. She thanked
Jasik Jarahian and Maro Kechichian for their role in the success
of the event, and all the sponsors, members and guests for their
contributions.
The event continued with beautiful combination of poetic messages
and recitations by artist and TV personality Nune Avetisyan, and
musical performance by singer Hovhannes Shahbazyan. In addition,
brave and talented ARS members and guests came on stage to perform
for a friendly audience.
The holiday atmosphere lifted the spirits and helped to raise funds
for vital ARS programs.
The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, established in 1984 and
with regional headquarters in Glendale, CA, has 27 chapters and more
than 1,200 members in five western states. The ARS-WUSA operates a
Social Services Division and Child, Youth, and Family Guidance Center,
and funds numerous youth programs, scholarships, and relief efforts.
For further information, please visit or call
(818) 500-1343.