Armenia Fund Telethon 2009

Armenia Fund Concludes a Successful Year

Telethon 2009 Raises $15.9 million, Surpasses Expectations

For Immediate Release ~ December 30, 2009

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Los Angeles, California - Having concluded the statistical analysis of the Thanksgiving Day Telethon held November 26, 2009, Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is pleased to report that $15.9 million dollars 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. Prime Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Republic, H.E. 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. The President of the Republic of Armenia, H.E. Serzh Sargsyan, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All-Armenians, HH Karekin II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, HH Aram I, representatives of the Armenian Evangelical and Catholic communities, Armenian Diaspora-based political parties and other organizations comprising the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, 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 dollars 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%. In the U.S. Western Region, the number of donors also increased by 18% 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, Chairperson of Armenia Fund, U.S. Western Region.

Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region's Armenia affiliate, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, recorded a significant growth of donors as well. The Fund 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% in the 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, Executive Director of "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund.

The breakdown of the worldwide donations is as follows:

Russian Federation -- $5.29 million, of which: 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, of which: Eznik Mozian bequest -- $2.25 million (France) Georges Tavidian -- $150,000 (France)

Armenia and Artsakh -- $1.75 million, of which: Armenian Copper Molybdenum Plant -- $500,000 Samvel Alexanyan -- $200,000 Varuzhan Grigoryan -- $101,000

U.S. Western Region -- $1.64 million, of which: 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, of which: 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