For Immediate Release
December 2004

MILLIONS OF REASONS FOR GIVING THANKS!

Armenia Fund USA’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Telethon a Success!

NEW YORK, New York — Every Thanksgiving Day marks the annual Armenia Fund Telethon, and this year was no different. Contributions poured in from around the globe to volunteer and staff phone bank operators in the 18 affiliate offices of Hayastan All Armenia Fund. From calls received from throughout the U.S. to the New York City and Glendale, California offices to the calls to affiliates within Germany, Russia, France, England, Holland, Brazil, Argentina, and even Armenia and Karabakh, people gave from their hearts to support our projects.

The Telethon is a monumental initiative that brings us together and reminds us that, although we are so scattered, we are obligated to rise to the occasion and help Armenia and Karabakh.

This day echoes the words of William Saroyan from so long ago, “…for when two Armenians meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a new Armenia.”

That is what the Telethon proves again and again. The North-South Highway, a much needed infrastructure development project in Karabakh, has been funded with an additional $11 million dollars. This doubles the funds contributed in 2003 and puts us at the finish line for completing this bold $25 million project that started a mere 5 years ago. This means that 150 towns and villages throughout Artsakh without access to food and other necessities so basic that most of us don’t think twice about having, now have a chance for a better life. It’s no wonder everyone refers to the North-South Highway as the Backbone of Karabakh.

This major fundraising initiative is the collaboration between Armenia Fund USA based in New York City, serving all constituents in the Eastern United States, and Armenia Fund Inc. based in Glendale and serving the constituency in the Western United States. These are two of the 18 affiliated offices around the world to Hayastan All Armenian Fund based in Armenia. Each affiliate serves the constituency it is indigenous to it by adopting infrastructure development projects in Armenia and Karabakh and directing their own fundraising campaigns. The North-South Highway is the project that brings the affiliates together this year for this worldwide campaign.

What went into the success, broadcasted via the organization’s Thanksgiving Day Telethon, was a year’s worth of hard work. Kevork Toroyan, Board Chairman of Armenia Fund USA, the Eastern United States affiliate, reported that the major fundraising campaign was more than just what was aired on Thanksgiving Day. It involved leadership gifts from leaders in the community, mass mailings, advertisements, phonations, and regional events. The efforts culminated with the global reach of the Telethon to bring the viewership an interesting program and raise money for a worthy cause. The program showcased new development footage direct from Armenia and Karabakh, messages and performances from popular artists like Metropolitan Opera Singer Isabel Bayrakdarian and Zulal, various musical talents, keynote messages from political leaders such as Massachusetts Representative Peter Koutoujian, New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, as well as countless other supporters. Broadcasting reached 45 million households in the US alone, with extended viewing capabilities from satellite TV and web-casting garnered involvement from smaller Armenian communities in the US such as those in South Carolina and Georgia.

This comprehensive campaign, designed to direct positive change, got off to an amazing start with the pre-telethon fundraising initiatives hosted by Armenia Fund USA (NYC) with the much anticipated delegation visit headed by Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan and accompanied in part by Himnadram (Armenia) Executive Director Naira Melkoumian. They participated in special engagements and public speaking appearances in Boston, Detroit, and the New York Metropolitan area - all to drive awareness for the telethon and before they headed off to the studios in Glendale, California. These regional events and other meetings culminated with nearly $6 million in donations from notable philanthropic leaders and other supporters in various Eastern US cities.

On behalf of the Manoogian Simone Foundation, Mrs. Simone contributed $1 million during pre-telethon fundraising initiatives, with an additional $1 million pledged during the Telethon. It was a gracious effort on her part standing true to her convictions and recognition that, “…the North-South Highway is a crucial project to the future development and stability of Karabakh, one that every Armenian must extend themselves to help complete.”

Contributions received from additional philanthropists include individual $1 million donations from Hirair Hovnanian, Kevork Hovnanian, and Sarkis Acopian; $500,000 from Carolyn Mugar; and $50,000 each from Gerard Cafesjian and Hratch Kaprelian. Adding to this unprecedented response from supporters in the Eastern United States to reach the grand worldwide total of $11 million were contributions from Argentina: $1.5 million; Western United States: $1.4 million; Armenia and Karabakh: $1.1 million; France and the rest of the world: $1.3 million.

Armenians worldwide should be proud of the teamwork generated to “Make it Happen,” as the Telethon slogan directed, proving once again that the Diaspora is as strong as ever in its support for building infrastructure to sustain Armenia and Karabakh’s security and future. Sending this kind of message of support only gives credence to “The Economist” journal’s unbiased and unsolicited recent reports indicating that investment from the Armenian Diaspora has boosted Karabakh’s economy and that the roads of Karabakh may be the best maintained in the Caucasus.

This is all with thanks to our many donors and friends. The overwhelming results from the year-long effort indicate that Armenia Fund has the mandate worldwide to go beyond the one-day Telethon to raise money, but systematically cultivate its base of support for years to come. Armenia Fund USA and the other seventeen affiliates promise to continue promoting large scale initiatives to further build upon the large imprint it has made. And, as part of its mission, Armenian Fund USA will continue to adhere to the stringent processes of accountability and transparency that has enabled the organization’s supporters to give with confidence.

Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability, Armenia Fund is a unique organization in that its sole purpose is to promote Armenia’s growth in order to sustain itself for future generations. Armenia Fund dedicates itself to supporting large-scale initiatives in both Armenia and Karabakh and is supported by Armenians world-wide. Endorsed by all major Armenian political and religious factions, Armenia Fund maintains its independence from these umbrella organizations and works closely with the governments of Armenia and Karabakh building roads, schools, medical facilities, utilities and humanitarian programs.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 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 19 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.

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301
New York, NY 10038