From left: Matt Senekeremian, Steve Artinian, Abraham & Odette Panossian, Ken Hachikian and Tereza Yerimyan

WASHINGTON—ANCA Telethon 2014 continued its nationwide outreach campaign last weekend with community receptions in Northern and Central California in the lead-up to the June 1st nationwide, six-hour broadcast spotlighting the Armenian American community’s civic engagement and advancement of the Armenian Cause.

“It’s truly inspiring to see our communities coming together with such enthusiasm for the June 1st ANCA Telethon and generously supporting our broad-based youth development and educational programs,” said ANCA Telethon 2014 chairman Steve Artinian, who traveled to San Francisco and Fresno for two of the weekend events. “This year’s telethon promises to truly showcase Armenian American pride, power and progress, as we take on new challenges and opportunities in support of Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk, and all our Diasporan communities.”

The June 1st ANCA Telethon will be streamed live online at www.ancatelethon.org and broadcast coast to coast from 3 to 9 p.m. PST (6 p.m. to midnight EST).

The northern California reception was graciously hosted by Abraham and Odette Panossian, two community stalwarts who have opened their home to a myriad of worthy causes — locally and nationally.

From left: Armen Carapetian, Grace Andonian, George & Mary Atashkarian and Tereza Yerimyan

“We were pleased to host this event for a cause so very close to our hearts,” said the Panossians. “It was truly inspirational to join with so many of our fellow Armenians who share our special devotion to our heritage, our enduring pride in our history, and a concrete commitment to the progress of our homeland.”

Artinian was joined by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, local ANCA past and present ANCA-Bay Area Chairmen Armen Carapetian and Matt Senekeremian, and ANCA Western Region’s Tereza Yerimyan in offering the local, regional and national updates on key Armenian American priorities, from justice for the Genocide, to freedom for Artsakh, security for Armenia, and a better future for our beleaguered communities in Syria and throughout the Middle East. Attendees were moved by impromptu remarks by longtime ANCA supporters George and Mary Atashkarian, whose support dates back to their Armenian Youth Federation days in the 1930’s.

From left: Zareh & Hasmig Samurkashian, Silva Sarkissian and Naira Der Kiureghian, Esq.

Earlier in the day, Artinian and Yerimyan visited with students and teachers at Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School, inspiring them to take the lead in advancing the Armenian Cause, starting with a commitment to excelling academically and serving as “Armenian Ambassadors” in all aspects of their lives.

In Fresno it was noted community benefactors Garo and Alice Gureghian who hosted Central Valley community supporters for an engaging and inspirational program dedicated to the Armenian Cause. Artinian was joined by Dr. Viken Hovsepian and local ANCA leader Sevag Tateosian in motivating community support for ANCA Telethon 2014.

“The ANCA holds a special place in our family, and so, of course, we welcomed the chance to, once again, bring together our Central Valley community around the Armenian Cause,” said the Gureghians. “It was a wonderful event, for a great cause.”

Alice & Garo Gureghian

“Our success in rallying support for the ANCA reflects the special role that the Central Valley has played – for more than a century – as a pillar of our Armenian American community, a cradle of Diasporan culture, and a powerful driver of the Armenian Cause,” said ANCA-Central Valley activist Arthur Hampar.

The ANCA Endowment Fund supports a broad range of educational, youth, and civic programs that give voice to the views and values of the Armenian American community, strengthening our presence in the American civic arena, and empowering pro-Armenian stakeholders with the information and resources they need to take on the powerful forces aligned against the Armenian nation.

The first three ANCA Endowment Fund telethons, held in 2006, 2009 and 2012, raised over $6.5 million for Armenian American educational, youth, and civic programs. Each program touched a common emotional chord, speaking directly to the devotion to the Armenian Cause in the hearts of Armenians from across the U.S., regardless of organisational or political affiliations.