The uncontained wildfires during the week of January 6, 2025 thrust tens of thousands of residents of the Greater Los Angeles area into a state of crisis. The destruction was of a magnitude among the worst in the history of the state of California—home to the largest Armenian population in the United States and second largest in the worldwide Diaspora. Many such families were tragically impacted along with their neighbors, relatives, and local community members. The nation and the world watched in shock and dismay as the blazing wildfires and airborne embers ripped through communities, leaving unfathomable devastation in their wake. Vast swaths of property, including homes, businesses, vehicles, schools, and public infrastructures were destroyed beyond recognition.
Supporting Emergency Relief
Beginning with a $100,000 donation split evenly between the American Red Cross and World Central Kitchen, AGBU leadership and its global membership stood in solidarity with the people of Los Angeles and the Armenian families that suffered tremendous loss and are now facing an uncertain future.
In a statement on behalf of the organization, AGBU President Sam Simonian expressed the sentiments of concern and compassion felt by Armenians worldwide: “It is in times like these that we unite in common purpose and take the bold actions necessary to help ease the burdens and hardships that many of our people in LA are experiencing right now. Their world has been disrupted; the fear and anxiety in what is a very unstable situation are running high. Therefore, AGBU is mobilizing efforts in coordination with those on the ground to aid our fellow Armenians. We have already committed $50,000 to the American Red Cross and $50,000 to World Central Kitchen respectively to support their urgent frontline relief operations, now under way. At the same time, the AGBU Central Board is working closely with the AGBU Western Region leadership and its numerous volunteer committees to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.
Opening Doors to Displaced Students
In the wake of a catastrophic wildfire that destroyed the Pasadena campus of Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School, up to 190 students from Kindergarten through 8th grade temporarily relocated to the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Cultural Center, just four miles from the original school campus. It will serve as a vital bridge to recovery for the Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School community in the months ahead.
AGBU Central Board, working with leadership of the AGBU Western Region on the ground, moved immediately to offer the use of the Cultural Center through the end of the 2025-2026 school year. This extended period will allow the school to regroup and rebuild while ensuring minimal disruption to academic instruction.
The wildfires, which ravaged towns and communities in LA County, spread to the Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School campus on January 8, leaving nothing intact except a khatchkar (Armenian cross-stone) that symbolically endures as a beacon of faith and resilience. Despite the devastation, the school remains steadfast in its mission to offer a Christ-centered education rooted in Armenian religious and cultural heritage while pursuing academic excellence.
“As soon as we heard that the school had perished, we knew we had to step in and lend support,” stated AGBU Western Region Chair Kevork Zoryan.
AGBUxWCK Partnership
World Central Kitchen (WCK) and AGBU came together to serve hot meals to families in the Altadena and Pasadena communities, providing much-needed support to residents while also uplifting local businesses affected by the Eaton Fire. This initiative also allowed local restaurants impacted by the fire a platform to continue operating and serving their neighbors. AGBU volunteers joined WCK in distributing meals, reinforcing the power of unity in troubled times.
YP Joint Fundraiser
Upon hearing about the total loss of the Sahag Mesrob School campus, YP Northern California (YPNC) and YP Los Angeles (YPLA), the organizers of the annual North Meets South event, scheduled for January 19, quickly decided to reach out to other local Armenian organizations, offering them the opportunity to co-sponsor the event and thereby expand the base of donors. Participants included the All-Armenian Students Association (All-ASA), Armenian Engineers & Scientist Association (AESA), ANCA Professional Network, the Armenian Youth Federation of Western US (AYF West), and Zartonk Media. With over 400 guests in attendance, the event generated over $25,000 in one afternoon, with funds collected from registration fees as well as individual and business donations.
“David Ojakian, the chair of the YPNC and the Western Region director of the Armenian Assembly of America, praised the unified effort in support of the displaced Armenian families and students. “By the time the event concluded, our fundraising goal had been exceeded. This is a shining example of how our communities come together in times of crisis, proving the strength of our unity.”
