LAS VEGAS—The unity promoted by the Armenian National Committee of America was prominently on display on the evening of May 16 at the Saint Garabed Cultural Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. On that night, friends and supporters of the ANCA and its efforts to advance the Armenian Cause came together, in a spirited way, to raise funds for the 2014 ANCA Telethon, slated to be aired nationwide on June 1, 2014.

 

Benefactor Alex Karabajakian, whose faith in the ANCA has been longstanding, hosted the Las Vegas event. The gathering drew together members of various community organisations, including the ARF “Ishkhan” Gomideh, Saint Garabed Church Parish Council and Ladies Auxiliary, Armenian Relief Society, Homenetmen, among other institutions that have made the Las Vegas Armenian American community among the fastest growing in the nation.

 

In his opening remarks welcoming attendees to the ANCA gathering, Saint Garabed Church Parish Council representative Adroushan Armenian cited the organisation’s substantial work for the Armenian Cause in urging donations to support the 2014 ANCA Telethon.

The guest speaker for the evening was ANCA National Board member Raffi Hamparian. Hamparian outlined the specific steps the ANCA has taken to advance the Armenian Cause, locally, regionally and nationally. “The ANCA welcomes the strong support from our grassroots supporters – men and women, young and old, rich and not so rich – who believe in our message and, more importantly, who believe in our work and our proven track-record of activism. So tonight, on behalf of the ANCA, I have two words to share with the Las Vegas Armenian Americans community – thank you,” Hamparian commented at the event.

Longtime AYF leader Carnie Armenian also spoke at the ANCA gathering. She remarked that, “We are all here because something within us sparked our involvement in the Armenian community, and the bridges we have built to constantly unite ourselves with Armenia is what maintains our everlasting faith to our nation while keeping our diaspora communities alive. We are Armenian, and that is the greatest gift. We are the people of our nation and the future of this great nation is up to us to decide.”

Members of the Saint Garabed Church Ladies Auxiliary generously served traditional Armenian food to those attending the ANCA fundraising event. Following the brief remarks about the ANCA at the event, attendees enjoyed each other’s camaraderie and took photos with ANCA placards with the words “#goANCA” printed on them to later post on social media, raising awareness about our cause.