Contact:
Atineh Haroutunian
(818) 388-3136
Atineh@yahoo.comFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2006
Three Non-Profit Armenian Organizations Partner with the American
Red Cross to Host Armenian Genocide Commemorative Blood Drive
GLENDALE, California - Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter along with The Glendale Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), and The Armenian National Committee (ANC) are partnering with the American Red Cross of Glendale, to host a blood drive on April 23 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Ararat Center, to remember the 1.5 million Armenians that lost their lives in the Armenian Genocide.
"This blood drive is to commemorate and honor the brave Armenians who lost their lives in the genocide of 1915. What better way to observe lives lost than to help save lives by encouraging the community to come and donate blood," stated Ararat's Executive Director, Armond Gorgorian. "We are very excited to work with the Red Cross and our fellow non-profits; the AYF the ANC to make this happen. We hope the surrounding communities come out to support us and the Red Cross and donate much needed blood."
Each pint of blood donated can save up to three lives, and every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood. "The American Red Cross is grateful to the Armenian community for drawing upon this tragedy in history in an effort to save the lives of others today. We experience chronic shortages of blood in Southern California and this blood drive is helpful in ensuring that there is an adequate supply of safe blood for local hospital patients," said Stephen Whitburn Public Affairs Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services Southern California Region.
April 24th, marks the 91st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians all over the world remember those that suffered and died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Many commemorative events take place the week before the anniversary of the Genocide.
"This blood drive is one way we want to remind people that we continue to remember the Genocide and honor those that suffered and died so brutally at the hands of another. It's important to unite as a community and do what we can to remember those that lived and help those that are fighting to live," said Gorgorian. For more information on scheduling an appointment call Alina Azizian at (818)243-3444. Blood Drive will be held at the Ararat Center 3347 N. San Fernando, Los Angeles, CA 90065.
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The Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, referred to as Homenetmen, is a non-profit organization founded in 1918. As a strong believer in the strong mind in a strong body concept, Homenetmen provides the Armenian American youth with moral, physical and social education. In addition, it exposes the youth to the wealth of the Armenian culture and heritage, prepared outstanding and law abiding Armenian American Citizens. The Glendale Ararat Chapter is the largest chapter in the United States, with nearly 2,300 members. The most important part of our organization's function is provision of healthy and clean programs for teenagers and young adults through organized and supervised after school and weekend activities in a family oriented environment. They are taught volunteerism, community and cultural values, citizenship, teamwork, receive leadership training, and are kept away from the strong negative influences facing our youth including drugs, gangs, and crime.
The Armenian National Committee is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
The Armenian Youth Federation serves as the youth organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The AYF stands on five pillars that guide its activities: Educational, Hai Tahd, Social, Athletic and Cultural. Moreover, the AYF promotes a fraternal attitude of respect for ideas and individuals amongst its membership. Unity and cooperation are essential traits that allow members of the organization to work together to realize the AYF's objectives.
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors-across the street, across the country and across the world-in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new-the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some 4 million people give blood-the gift of life-through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.