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October 25, 2007
New England District Raises $15,000 for Karabakh Renewal Project
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AGBU New England District Chairman, Souren Maserejian (top left), with event committee members, guests and performers from the September 22, 2007 Karabakh Renewal Project fundraising event in Watertown, MA. -
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The hard-working AGBU New England District Sept. 22 event committee, which raised over $15,000 for the AGBU Karabakh Renewal Project.
On September 22, Armenians both young and old put on their dancing shoes to fundraise for a cause. The AGBU New England District, St. James Armenian Church, and several donors from a variety of different organizations teamed up to raise $15,000 for AGBU's Karabakh Renewal Project (KRP) through a very social dance event in the Boston area.
The AGBU Karabakh Renewal Project began in 2002 with efforts to rebuild the war-torn villages that still remain abandoned following the 1988-1994 conflict with Azerbaijan.
After five months of planning, the event brought over 350 people to St. James Armenian Church in Watertown, Massachusetts for over five hours of fun. The church provided their venue free of charge as a donation to KRP.
Robert Chilingirian and his Los Angeles-based band kept the party alive with a selection of Armenian and American music throughout the evening. Light appetizers and beverages were served to the energetic crowd.
Raffle donations for an LCD TV, jewelry and gift certificates to local restaurants and salons were made throughout the evening. The dance committee reported over $15,000 secured for the Karabakh Renewal Project. They plan to earmark this money for new homes in the village of Norashen. In 2006, AGBU built the Norashen School to attract families to this region and a community continues to flourish today.
Souren Maserejian, New England District Chairman, said he had never seen such an active, enthusiastic crowd of young Armenian professionals in AGBU's history in Massachusetts. Alexis Demerjian, AGBU Young Professionals of Boston chairwoman, reflected this passion and camaraderie in her opening remarks. A letter outlining the Karabakh projects in Norashen by AGBU President Berge Setrakian was also read, and Fr. Arakel Aljalian, pastor of the St. James Armenian Church, later expressed his gratitude to the Boston-Armenian community.
The dedicated New England District Committee worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for this Karabakh project event. AGBU New England District Committee members are: Chairman Souren Maserejian, Treasurer Alex Kalaydjian, Secretary Natalie Maserejian, Vartuhi Cholakian, Bedros Dilsizian, Maro Getzoyan, Michael Gulbankian, Annie Kalaydjian, Lisa Maserejian, Anahid Salakian, Sarkis Salakian, Gregory Seymourian, and Garo Yavshayan. The special event committee members were: Linda Abkarian, Nigoghos Atinizian, Alexis Demirjian, Charlie Minasian, Suzy Naroian, Karnig Ostayan, Mayda Yetimian, Mourad Yuzlek, and Lisa Yuzlek. The Knights of Vartan chapter also volunteered its time and energy for the event.
It was evident at the event that Armenian Americans have an ongoing interest in aiding post-war Karabakh. Several guests were not aware of KRP until this social function and now are interested in learning more, already visiting the AGBU website. Maserejian said that the event's cause drew in a variety of different groups, all dedicated to the repopulation of this region of our motherland.
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