Bone and Sinew
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March 17, 2008
YP Northern California "Winter Gala Weekend" Attracts Hundreds, Raises $5,000 for AGBU Hye Geen Women's Centers in Armenia
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Some members of AGBU YPNC's 2008 Winter Gala committee enjoying the fruits of their labor at the Saturday night event. -
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2008 Winter Gala guests at San Francisco's Mercantile Exchange. -
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Guests at Saturday night's Winter Gala celebration stand during the blessing delivered by Father Mesrob Sarafian of St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, California.
Over 200 Armenian young professionals from around the globe gathered in San Francisco for the 9th Winter Gala Getaway Weekend on February 15, 2008. The annual affair, organized by AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California (YPNC), raised $5,000 for the AGBU Hye Geen Pregnant Women's Centers in Armenia.
Beginning with a sold-out Friday night mixer at the downtown Element nightclub with DJ Raffy, the Winter Gala is an opportunity for friends, new and old, to network with fellow professionals of Armenian descent in a friendly social setting.
On Saturday, most guests enjoyed San Francisco's eclectic landmarks and basked in the sunny weather. Some young professionals planned a daytrip to Napa Valley to experience the West Coast's world-renowned wine region.
After a day of relaxation and exploration, guests headed down to the city's Financial District for the Winter Gala Dance at the Merchant Exchange. Against the backdrop of the San Francisco skyline, Father Mesrob Sarafian of St. Vartan Armenian Church said a blessing before dinner, which was followed by a warm welcome from Gala Chairman Emily Kluczynski.
"The Winter Gala is, hands down, the most incredible Armenian event I have ever attended," she said. "It brings Armenians from around the world together for an amazing weekend and unites them under a shared purpose — support of an Armenian cause."
Back by popular request, Khatchig Jingirian and his band kept the dance floor full all night. The party continued with a post-dance event at the trendy SOMO loft. Weekend festivities officially concluded with a private brunch at Anzu restaurant in the Hotel Nikko on Sunday morning.
"There is real joy in bringing Armenians together in our gorgeous city for a really great cause," exclaimed Gala committee member, Alison Ekizian. "It's exciting to draw our community together and twice as rewarding to do it in the spirit of philanthropy."
Proceeds from this year's Winter Gala benefited the AGBU Hye Geen Pregnant Women's Centers in Armenia. With the goal of improving the health of expecting mothers and reducing the alarming rates of pregnancy complications in Armenia, AGBU Hye Geen established their first Pregnant Women Project in the country's second largest city, Gyumri, in June 2002, and a second center in Vanadzor was established four years later. Since then, participating women have benefited from substantial pre-natal care and vital medical exams, while also creating a unique and strong bond among each other.
For all the photos from this year's Winter Gala Getaway Weekend, please visit the YPNC website at www.agbuypnc.org.
The AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California are committed to preserving and promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information on YPNC, please email, info@agbusfgala.org, or visit, www.agbuypnc.org.
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