YP Greater New York 11th Annual Silent Auction and Cocktail Party Breaks Worldwide YP Giving Record With $25,000 Donation to AGBU Children's Centers

Drawing a crowd of nearly 225  young professionals, AGBU YP Greater New York (YPGNY) hosted its 11th annual Silent Auction and Cocktail Party at Openhouse Gallery in SoHo, New York City to benefit the AGBU Children's Centers in Armenia. In addition to proceeds raised through its annual HALO (Helping Armenia's Little Ones) campaign, YPGNY donated a record-breaking $25,000 from the event, representing the largest donation the group has ever made to a cause, and the largest donation ever made by an AGBU YP Group.

Openhouse Gallery, an event space transformed into a pop-up park for the winter months, provided the perfect setting for an upscale garden party theme, creating a unique and playful backdrop for guests to "unlock something green this winter." Aline Markarian, YPGNY 2011 Chairwoman, reflected on the success of the evening, "We really set a high standard this year for a fantastic evening. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, it is tremendously rewarding to be able to make a significant impact on such an important AGBU program. As a long-time committee member, I am proud to see how this event has grown thanks to the tireless collaborative effort of such a strong and dedicated committee."

Generous donors contributed to the luxurious, buzz-worthy display of auction items that guests were eager to take home, including round-trip tickets to Los Angeles, fashion must-haves from Ferragamo, Movado, and Baccarat, tickets to Mets and Rangers games, Broadway shows and Jimmy Fallon, and more. Among the most coveted pieces available for auction were eleven, original works of art made by the children of the AGBU Children's Centers that highlight their creative skills and role in perpetuating the artistic heritage of Armenians. Raffle items included a piece from Michael Aram, restaurant gift cards, and a Canon digital camera .

An abundance of goodies popped up in the park for guests to enjoy, including a picnic table featuring an elaborate gourmet cheese display donated by Fairway Market. Glasses were served by guest bartenders from the YPGNY community, including Berge Barsoumian, Ella Baroyan, Peter Endrigian, Alex Karapetyan, and Tamar Nahabedian, who competed to earn the most tips which were then donated to the AGBU Children's Centers. The wine and spirits were generously donated from a number of individuals including Clovis Point Winery, Cognito Inc., Kaleidoscope Imaging, Manhattan Beer Distributors, and Société Perrier.

With first-hand experience visiting the AGBU Children's Centers in Armenia, Alexis Halejian, longtime YPGNY Committee Member and 2012 Chairwoman, shared her thoughts on the evening, "It is inspiring to see so many Armenian young professionals in the same room, enjoying each other's company, and even more heartwarming was knowing that we can send a record-breaking donation to the AGBU Children's Centers in Armenia this year."

Since 2000, YPGNY has hosted the winter reception as an enjoyable and unique way to raise funds for the three Centers in Yerevan. Back in 1993, AGBU joined forces with the Holy See of Etchmiadzin to establish the AGBU Children's Centers in the Nork, Arapkir, and Malatya sections of Yerevan. Providing a constructive after-school environment to over 3,500 students ages 6 to 16, the Centers cultivate the talents of young Armenians by broadening their knowledge in courses unavailable to them at overcrowded public schools. With an administrative staff of 300, the Centers provide four hours of daily instruction in music, dance, arts & crafts, gymnastics, martial arts, computers, language, history, as well as developing other practical real-life professional skills. Throughout the years, over 15,000 students living in low- to middle- income homes have benefited from this very important program.

Making an ongoing commitment to support the AGBU Children's Centers, YPGNY established an AGBU YP Endowment in 2002 for the cause. Now a pan-YP endeavor, YPGNY's annual contribution is raised through the Silent Auction and Cocktail Party, and HALO campaign. Suitable for recipients of all ages, the YPGNY HALO campaign allows individuals to give a gift from the heart and simultaneously help children of Armenia during the holiday season. Donations, made in honor of a loved one, family, or friend, are transformed into personalized gift cards by YPGNY's group of Santa's helpers. This year, close to 70 certificates spread holiday cheer to mailboxes worldwide. With YPGNY's 2012 donation, the AGBU YP Endowment now totals nearly $160,000.