December 14, 2003

CHRISTMAS SOIREE BENEFITS ARMENIA FUND USA'S PROJECT FOR CHILDREN

NEW CANAAN, CT. In a long-standing tradition of generosity and good will, Linda and Rene Chirinian hosted a successful fundraiser for Armenia Fund USA’s Ororotz-Cradle Project in their New Canaan home. A group of close to 100 people enjoyed a festive party while supporting a constituency that is fundamental to Armenia’s future, namely, its children.

The Ororotz-Cradle Project provides pre-natal education and "survival kits" filled with clothes, baby care essentials, and medicines and vaccines to Armenia’s neediest newborns. The project is special to Linda, the newest board member of Armenia Fund USA and author of the Middle Eastern cookbook, Secrets of Cooking. "The new children need a helping hand. And if we don't help them, who will?" she said.

Children born in Armenia are plagued by poverty. The Armenia Fund USA's Ororotz-Cradle Project provides qualifying newborns and their parents with the basic tools and services they need to succeed in life. A $150 donation to the Ororotz-Cradle Project will fund a year’s supply of survival essentials for Armenia’s littlest members. "The real results of our efforts will be measured years from now," said Kevork Toroyan, chairman of Armenia Fund USA, "when future generations can surprise and delight us beyond our highest hopes and most ambitious dreams. That's what healthy, happy, secure kids can do for us."

"Linda and Rene Chirinian have always opened the doors of their home for important and lasting projects," Mr. Toroyan said. Chirinian's spectacular Christmas fundraiser not only raised money for the Ororotz-Cradle Project, but also educated people about the need to ensure that Armenia’s children grow up healthy. "It's very much about raising awareness," Chirinian said. "Armenia’s future depends on our ability to raise consciousness for this project and countless others."

Linda Chirinian has been active in the Armenian Community for years. She is involved in the Lady's Guild at the Armenian Prelacy and works in many ways to raise support for orphans. She has also been a long-time supporter of Armenia Fund USA. "Armenia Fund is one of the few organizations that are hands on,” she said. “By having a presence and oversight procedures in Armenia, every penny is accounted for."

Linda and her husband Rene host a Christmas party annually to benefit a charity. This year they wanted to raise support and awareness for Ororotz. The varied guest list included new comers to Armenia Fund USA, non-Armenians and a new generation of patrons such as Ted and Mary Chaglassian, Richard Chirinian, Levon and Aline Kassabian, Stephen and Arda Haratunian, Alfred Chirinian, Ara and Eileen Zadourian, Khoren and Lucie Bandazian.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.