The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) began its year-long celebrations of its centennial in New York City earlier this year with an elegant gala at the Yale Club, and concluded them in Armenia, with chapter members (Ungerouhis) from 26 countries present.
Caroline Chamavonian of the ARS Eastern USA Board of Director and Ani Kechichian of the ARS New Jersey “Shakeh” Chapter participated in the concluding events organized by the ARS Central Executive Board, as well as by the ARS of Syria, Armenia, and Artsakh.
The ARS Eastern USA chapters donated generously to the “Bnag Me Geragour” (A Plate of Food) Program at the Zadig Orphanage in Yerevan. Chamavonian and Kechichian assisted the ARS of Armenia by preparing and serving hot meals to the 79 children at the orphanage.
The ARS Eastern Region Board thanks the following chapters and donors for their contributions to the “Bnag Me Geragour” Program: Harry Savagian, Wisc.; ARS “Anahid” Chapter, Binghamton, N.Y.; ARS “Ani” Chapter, Providence, R.I.; ARS “Arax” Chapter, Providence; ARS “Artemis” Chapter, Philadelphia, Pa.; ARS “Hooys” Chapter, Richmond, Va.; ARS “Knar” Chapter, Worcester, Mass.; ARS “Leola Sassouni” Chapter, Watertown, Mass.; ARS “Lousintak” Chapter, Lowell, Mass.; ARS “Lucia” Chapter, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; ARS “Mayr” Chapter, New York; ARS “Reubena” Chapter, Granite City, Ill.; ARS “Satenig” Chapter, Washington; ARS “Shakeh” Chapter, N.J.; ARS “Soseh” Chapter, Racine, Wisc.; ARS “Sosseh” Chapter, Fla.; ARS “Shushi” Chapter, Cambridge, Mass; ARS “Susan Terzian” Chapter, Conn.; ARS “Sybille” Chapter, Detroit, Mich.; and ARS “Zabelle” Chapter, Chicago, Ill.
ARS Eastern USA members also participated in the ARS centennial “Plant a Tree” Project in Armenia, collectively sponsoring the planting of 17 trees. A plaque bearing the name of each chapter sponsoring a tree hung on the tree on the day of the planting. The ARS Eastern Region Board thanks the following chapters for their contributions to the ”Plant a Tree” project: ARS “Anahid” Chapter, Binghamton, N.Y.; ARS “Ani” Chapter, Philadelphia, Pa.; ARS “Ani” Chapter, Providence, R.I.; ARS “Artemis” Chapter, Philadelphia, Pa.; ARS “Arax” Chapter, Providence; ARS Bergen County Chapter, NJ
ARS “Hooys” Chapter, Richmond, Va.; ARS “Leola Sassouni” Chapter, Watertown, Mass.; ARS “Mayr” Chapter, New York; ARS “Reubena” Chapter, Granite City, Ill.;
ARS “Satenig” Chapter, Washington; ARS “Shakeh” Chapter, N.J.; ARS “Soseh” Chapter, Racine, Wisc.; ARS “Sosseh” Chapter, Fla.; ARS “Shushi” Chapter, Cambridge, Mass; and ARS “Zabelle” Chapter, Chicago, Ill.
The ARS delegation also visited the Armenian Genocide Monument in remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and placed a wreath from the ARS Eastern USA, Inc.The ARS Eastern USA, Inc. Board of Directors again acknowledges the Eastern Region chapters’ and members’ efforts in supporting these worthwhile projects.
The ARS Eastern USA, Inc. Board of Regional Directors would also like to express its sincere gratitude to all the donors and benefactors who have believed in the ARS’s mission and have contributed generously throughout the years to its regional programs. Their contributions have enabled the Society to fulfill its mission and will enable us to continue our journey for the next 100 years.
Hye, the Armenian Relief Society, the ARS, formed and performed by Armenian women the world over the generations and celebrating its 100 years of service mehr Hayeroon. Your voluteerism, aspirations to meet the needs of our dispersed peoples the world over, a prime example of our Armenian women’s dedication and efforts for a nation torn assunder by the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation/peoples… you are a prime example to us all what such efforts can accomplish – now for 100 years!
Getzek ARS, too, in memory for all the Armenian women upon whose shoulders you, today, continue and pursue in all your efforts for our Armenian people worldwide, and our fledgling Armenian nation capably and certainly, outstandingly, exemplify the spirit of Armenians, in all their endeavors for our Armenians, wherever in the world. ARS shows us all by example the capablities of Armenians of the past, and too, the capabilities too, of our generations still today… ongoing/unending mehr Haiastani hamar. Too, our Survivors have passed to the generations following their own pursuit and the ongoing/unending efforts for justice to be meted for the Genocide of the Armenian nation, stolen and in denials still, by an unrepentant turkey. Too, our efforts to bring to an end the cycle of Genocides – morally.
Manooshag