$40,000 raised for AYF Youth Corps at Hollywood chapter event

By Asbarez | Monday, 01 February 2016

AYF Youth Corps participants in Armenia

AYF Youth Corps participants in Armenia

LITTLE ARMENIA—The Armenian Youth Federation Hollywood Musa Ler chapter on Friday hosted a fundraiser for the 2016 AYF Youth Corps program. A record breaking $40,000 was collected through the sold-out intimate dinner, which was held at Kavar Restaurant in Little Armenia.

The evening’s program began with opening remarks from AYF Hollywood’s chapter chairperson, Razmig Maadanian, who welcomed the guests and noted, “the Youth Corps programs is something our Chapter strongly believes to be one of the most important initiatives made by the AYF.” “It is important”, he continued, “because it gives Armenian youth around the world the ability to make a difference in the lives of Armenian children inside of Armenia.”

Ara Dabandjian and Tro Krikorian perform during Youth Corps fundraiser

Ara Dabandjian and Tro Krikorian perform during Youth Corps fundraiser

AYF’s Youth Corps program started in 1994, as a passionate initiative to bring dedicated youth volunteers from the Diaspora to Artsakh and lend a helping hand to villages of a country devastated by war. Since then, it has evolved into a program that features several 1-2 week long day camps in villages in Armenia and Artsakh, over a span of 6 weeks.

Koko Abounayan from the AYF Youth Corps Central Council noted the great strides the program has taken the past few years and how the Program will continue to grow for years to come. “In 2015, the AYF Youth Corps Program reached new heights, as 39 volunteers organized and ran 8 camps in 6 different cities, attracting 915 campers.”

AYF Hollywood Musa Ler Chapter Executive members from left,  Tamar Fournouzian, Razmig Maadanian and Raffi Marachelian

AYF Hollywood Musa Ler Chapter Executive members from left, Tamar Fournouzian, Razmig Maadanian and Raffi Marachelian

The night’s entertainment started with great performances by Alique Cherchian and Krista Arpadian of the band, greenKARD, who performed a few songs before Tro Krikorian and Ara Dabandjian took the stage and captivated the crowd with acoustic renditions of traditional and nationalistic Armenian songs.

AYF Hollywood “Musa Ler” thanked those in attendance and who supported the event with their generous donations, with a special mention to Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Aline Kradjian who sponsored the event.

“This event created a solid foundation for creating the necessary funds to ensure that Youth Corps not only continues to grow in 2016, but for many years to come,” said Maadanian. “Our Chapter truly believes in this genuine program and wants to see it reach new milestones each and every year.”

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