LOS ANGELES–Having concluded the statistical analysis of the Thanksgiving Day Telethon held Nov. 26, 2009, the Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is pleased to report that $15.9 million was raised.
Originating from KCET Hollywood Studios in California, the live 12-hour program aired coast to coast from Los Angeles to New York as well as internationally.
The prime minister of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic, Araik Harutyunyan, as well as the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, made live appearances during the program.
Armenian President Serge Sarkisian, the Catholicos of All-Armenians Karekin II, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I, representatives of the Armenian Evangelical and Catholic communities, Armenian Diaspora-based political parties, and other organizations comprising the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, all appeared with pre-taped messages.
Proceeds from the 12th International Telethon will benefit the reconstruction of Shushi—a cradle of Armenian culture and arts, a symbol of victory for modern-day Armenia.
The second largest amount ever raised in the history of Armenia Fund Telethons, $15.9 million represents a rich geography—from $5.3 million raised in Russia to $100,000 raised in Australia. During Telethon 2009, a record number of donors participated, despite an ongoing economic crisis and political issues. Furthermore, during Telethon 2009, a total of $1.6 was pledged in the Western United States, marking yet another double-digit percentage growth of 23 percent. In the U.S. Western Region, the number of donors also increased by 18 percent compared to 2008.
“I attribute the growth to Armenia Fund’s track record, transparency, and concrete measurable results when it comes to making a positive change in the lives of thousands of residents of Armenia and Artsakh. Through the 17 years of its existence, Armenia Fund remained true to its mission as a non-governmental, non-sectarian, non-political, and non-profit global organization, whose only objective is to support the people of Armenia and Artsakh through large-scale infrastructure development and humanitarian relief projects by rallying the resources of worldwide Armenian Diaspora,” said Ara Aghishian, the chairperson of Armenia Fund, U.S. Western Region.
The Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region’s Armenia affiliate, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, recorded a significant growth of donors as well. It had set up innovative methods of giving, one of which was donating through a SMS (text) message. This became possible thanks to an agreement with the Major Sponsor of Telethon 2009, VivaCell MTS—the largest cellular phone provider in Armenia.
Also, through Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s partnership with Armenia’s postal service, HayPost, customers had the opportunity to donate at any postal branch in Armenia. Year after year, the number of donors from Armenia has significantly grown. This year marked a 53 percent growth, totaling well over 20,000 individuals who donated from Armenia.
“I want to thank all Armenia Fund donors across the globe who participated in the telethon, making sure that the heroic people of Shushi have a shot at a normal life. Things that we take for granted every day. Clean drinking water, education for our children, medical services, paved streets, and adequate housing are still luxury items in Shushi. These issues are at the core of Armenia Fund’s Shushi Reconstruction Project,” said Ara Vardanyan, the executive director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.
The breakdown of the worldwide donations follows.
Russian Federation: $5.29 million. The donors were Samvel Karapetyan — $1 million. Boris, Hakob, Murad and Hovik Muradyan — $600,000. Mikhail Baghdasarov – $300,000. Vitaly Grigoryants — $250,000. Vardan Vardanyan — $250,000. Valery Mezhlumyan — $200,000. Ara Abrahamyan — $150,000. Norik Petrosyan — $150,000. Suren Najaryan — $120,000. Makar Nahapetyan — $100,000. Azat Asaturov — $100,000. Eduard Ghulyan — $100,000. Kamo Avagumyan — $100,000. Alexander Ter-Avanesov — $100,000. Andranik Karapetyan — $100,000. Mkhitar Beglaryan — $100,000. Tigran Ghazaryan — $100,000. Gennady Stepanyan — $100,000. Karen Baghdasarov — $100,000. Samvel Sargsyan, Ararat Tavadyan — $100,000. Ashot Khachatryan — $100,000. Ashot Khachaturyants — $100,000. Sergei Hambardzumyan — $100,000. Konstantin Manukyan — $100,000.
Europe (France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria): $4.13 million. The donors included Eznik Mozian bequest — $2.25 million (France). Georges Tavidian — $150,000 (France).
Armenia and Artsakh: $1.75 million. Armenian Copper Molybdenum Plant — $500,000. Samvel Alexanyan — $200,000. Varuzhan Grigoryan — $101,000.
U.S. Western Region: $1.64 million. Anonymous from San Francisco — $400,000. Vahe and Veronique Karapetian — $125,000. TF Educational Foundation (Turpanjian family) — $100,000. Raymond and Ani Hartoonian – $44,365. Hakob and Hilda Baghdassarian — $40,000. Harout and Ozhen Broutian — $27,500. Michael and Lydia Minasian and family — $25,000. Levon and Ashkhen Arsenyan — $20,000.
Great Britain: $1.2 million. Garabed Nazarian bequest — $1 million.
U.S. Eastern Region: $450,000
Argentina: $350,000
Canada (Toronto): $310,000
Canada (Montreal): $250,000
Lebanon: $216,000
Brazil: $200,000
Australia: $100,000
Are you telling me Armenia and Artsakh together raised more than the Armenian American community?
Or even Russia for that matter? 5.4 Million…Jesus Christ.
And why aren’t Krikorian and the Hovnanian family giving anything? Economic crisis? Yeah, ok! Give a million or 100,000. Not NOTHING.
What we need to do is as a community is to sit on the fence. That means declaring ourselves as Independants and severly punish, in the political sense, people like McCain, Lieberman, Byrd etc…. by making sure they lose their senate seats.