Each January, Armenian Christmas reminds us of the unique bond we have as Armenians and allows for reflection and appreciation of our rich heritage. In honor of this special holiday, the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY) kicked off 2010 with its most popular fundraiser. On Jan. 9, close to 200 Armenian Americans from the New York metropolitan area gathered at 206 Spring Street for the 9th Armenian Christmas Cocktail and Silent Auction, welcoming the new decade with new hope and vision. Holding true to the sentiment “Christmas is for the children,” the sold-out event raised $17,500 for the AGBU Children’s Centers in Armenia. Once again defying the bitter economic climate, YPGNY continues to rock in Armenian Christmas with impressive fundraising efforts.
“As we all know, the U.S. economy has seen one of the worst economic recessions since the Great Depression. What’s more upsetting is that in times like these, we are still more fortunate than a majority of the children in Armenia. It’s a great feeling to be able to help them out, all while having fun at the AGBU Silent Auction,” said volunteer Aram Babikian. “Through efforts like these, I see how the AGBU’s investments in improving Armenia’s infrastructure truly come to fruition. I’m proud to increase my involvement with YPGNY more and more each year because of it.”
The three-floor townhouse in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo district offered a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, inviting guests to mix and mingle with friends, old and new, while enjoying a memorable evening of food, fun, music, and continuous excitement generated with each new bid until the conclusion of the silent auction.
Hailing from Dubai, Arly Tuysuzian is already looking ahead to attending more YPGNY events. “Since I’m new to New York, the Silent Auction was really my first AGBU event in the city. I was so impressed with the venue, the impressive variety of items for auction, and the number of Armenians that came together to support the Children’s Centers. I had a great time meeting new people, helping the committee organize the night, and learning how I could be involved in more of these events.”
The evening included a stylish silent auction with items donated from some of the city’s leading businesses and generous individuals. Silent auction items included restaurant and beauty gift certificates from a plethora of New York City hotspots, roundtrip airline tickets from New York to Los Angeles, technological desirables such as the Amazon Kindle and netbook computers, fashion must-haves from the likes of Alex and Ani, Hermes, Juliette Jake, Movado, Prada, and Tiffany & Co., sports and Broadway show tickets, items from designer Michael Aram, and several pieces of fine jewelry. Among the most coveted pieces available for auction were works of art from the AGBU Children’s Centers that exhibited the skills of the children and highlighted their role in continuing the artistic heritage of Armenians. Additional raffle prizes, including more restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, baskets of scents, and a personal oil painting studio portrait, were also offered to guests eager to donate to the cause. YPGNY chair
woman Aline Markarian said she was grateful for the outpouring of support. “Each year, as the popularity of the event grows, so does the amazing kindness of the Armenian and especially non-Armenian communities alike. Our donors generously open their hearts, wallets, and businesses so that we can, in turn, fill the hearts and souls of the children in Armenia with hope,” she said.
Catering for the evening’s festivities was provided by local food emporiums Al Bustan Restaurant, Bread & Olive, Delmonico Foods, Hayat Catering, and Krichian Foods, as well as the eternal hearths of the kitchens of YP members and their families. Chef Lina Markarian added professionalism to the culinary flair of the evening. Glasses were plentifully filled with wine and spirits very generously donated from a number of individuals and venues, including Clovis Point Winery and Manhattan Beer Distribution. A generous number of community supporters contributed their time and services to enhance the Armenian Christmas event.
Event chair Sheila Kahyaoglu was excited by their accomplishment and highlighted the many individuals who contributed to the evening’s success. “Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Sandra and Perssy Mergeanian for their overwhelming support, to Onnig Djingueuzian, our honorary YP, always young at heart, for his unparalleled enthusiasm and spirit, and to the entire team at BR Guest Restaurants for embracing our cause and making this a truly successful evening,” she said.
Since 2000, YPGNY has hosted the Armenian Christmas Reception as an enjoyable and unique way to raise funds for the three centers in Yerevan. Despite being so many miles away, they are so close to our hearts. YPGNY vice chairwoman, Alexis Halejian, knows the wonder of the Chidren’s Centers first hand. “My first interaction with the Children’s Centers was in 2007. I was in Yerevan as an AGBU intern and had the opportunity to ‘sharpen’ my Armenian dance skills. Far from perfection (as many know), I was sent to the best teachers for help—the students at the AGBU Nork Children’s Center. After weeks of practice, these kids finally let me and my friends perform in their final show of the school year. Believe it or not, we got a standing ovation. Being up on the same stage with these students made us all feel like one of them…but the truth is, the way they are growing up is so much different than the way we did in America.”
In 1993, the 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 a global commitment to support the AGBU Children’s Centers, YPGNY established the AGBU YP Endowment in 2002 for their benefit. Now a pan-YP endeavor, YPGNY makes its share of the global contribution through monies raised at the Armenian Christmas Reception, as well as from the annual HALO (Helping Armenia’s Little Ones) 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 another loved one, family, or friends are transformed into personalized gift cards by YPGNY’s group of Santa’s helpers. This year, close to 100 certificates spread holiday cheer to mailboxes worldwide. Together with YPGNY’s 2010 donation, the AGBU YP Endowment now totals over $100,000.
To learn more about YPGNY and how you can be part of the network, email ypgny@agbuyp.org.
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