Armenia Fund Telethon 2012
2012 Armenia Fund Telethon Raises $21.5 Million Posted on November 28, 2012
$12 Million Donated by Wealthy Russian Armenian Businessmen
Insurance Magnate from Moscow Sergei Sarkisov Donated $4 Million
LOS ANGELES – Hayastan All Armenian Fund Telethon collected over $21.5 million on Thanksgiving Day (November 22)
Some $12 Million of this total was raised at a banquet in Moscow on November 8th.
One of the largest donors was Moscow, insurance magnate Sergei Sarkisov, who contributed a remarkable amount of $4 million.
Aired on television from Glendale, California, the telethon started at 8am and ended at 8pm.
Donations and funds collected during the Telethon, Phonathons, gala dinners, and concerts, as well as other events held in Armenia, Artsakh, (Armenian name for Karabakh) and Diaspora within a year will be directed to constructing community centers in rural regions of Nagorno-Karabakh, and providing urgent relief to the Syrian-Armenian community.
The telethon started with an opening remarks by the West Coast Armenia Fund chairman Ara Aghishian, Esq. followed by a prayer said by religious leaders representing the denominations.
Present from Artsakh were the Chairman of the Parliament the Hon. Ashot Ghulian, Archbishop Parkev Martirosian, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh.
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians delivered a passionate message, as well as His Holiness Aram, Catholicos of the House of Cilicia. The Primate Abp.Hovnan Derderian and Prelate Abp. Moushegh Mardirossian and several other clergymen spoke in support of the telethon.
Also appearing on the program, via video, were Congressman Adam Schiff of Los Angeles, and Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey as well as others.
The telethon showed the many projects accomplished by Armenia Fund in Armenia and Artsakh (Karabakh) – schools, centers, hospitals, roads, clinics, as well as assistance given to villagers to launch their agriculture activities and many more.
Musical and dance programs were shown or performed live by renowned Armenian entertainers to the delight of the viewers. Many speakers appeared on the program representing the various Armenian political parties, organizations, philanthropic and social groups, schools as well as individuals, who made large amounts of donations.
Various individuals and artists, producers, television personalities, from Armenia, London, UK, as well as from Los Angeles, served as master of ceremonies, performers, and fund raisers, extending messages to the viewers to contribute to the Telethon. Over one hundred and fifty volunteers were on the phones registering the donors names and addresses.
A fund raising will held in Lebanon on December 8th.
The Fund continues accepting donations.
Last year’s telethon raised approximately $12 million. The funds were used to connect water supply systems in Nagorno-Karabakh and to reconstruct infrastructures in border villages of Armenia.
This year, part of the collected funds will be sent to the Syrian-Armenian community which is in a dangerous situation because of the political upheavals going on for more than a year. Besides thousands of Syrians, the Armenian community churches, schools, centers were damaged and a number of Armenians were kidnapped or killed.
Funds Collected in Countries
$2.5 million from Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh $2.2 million from France $2.1 million from the U.S (the amount is being clarified) $700,000 from Argentina $625,000 from Canada $600,000 from India $170,000 from Great Britain $122,000 from Germany $100,000 from Brazil $58,600 from Holland $50,000 from Italy $38,200 from Greece $31,800 Switzerland $15,000 from Iran $10,200 Belgium $5,000 Kuwait.