ARS Eastern USA Chapters Raise Funds to Benefit Worthwhile Community Projects Through First ARS “Walk Armenia” Fundraiser

Outfitted in tee-shirts and walking shoes, enthusiastic ARS chapter members and ARS supporters throughout the eastern United States walked to benefit various local ARS projects and the ARS Eastern USA in the first annual regional “Walk Armenia” fundraiser, held Saturday, May 3, 2003.

Funds generated through “Walk Armenia” benefited local ARS programs and projects, with 25 percent of the “Walk Armenia” net proceeds benefiting the ARS Eastern USA’s fund to generate projects in Armenia and Artsakh.

“We are excitedly waiting to do this wonderful fundraiser again next year,” said ARS Eastern USA Board of Regional Directors Chairwoman Ungh. Georgi-Ann Oshagan.  “The enthusiasm we had for this event really generated a great deal of excitement in our communities and was a wonderful way for everyone to contribute to the ARS’s very worthy local and regional programs.”

Individuals participated in their local “Walk Armenia” event by either walking or making a pledge to support a walker.

In Detroit, the Maro, Shakeh, Sybille, Tzolig and Zabel ARS Chapters joined forces to hold their “Walk Armenia” at Heritage Park, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  Over 125 ARS members, friends and supporters – including many AYF-YOARF Juniors, HMEM Scouts, and ARS Zavarian Armenian School students – looped around the park as many times as they could to benefit the ARS wearing their “Walk Armenia” tee-shirts.  All participants and friends enjoyed a hot dog barbeque lunch with chips and beverages.  The Detroit ARS chapters allocated their 75 percent of over $2,000 in “Walk Armenia” donations raised to the American Red Cross for projects in Armenia as well as to the Zavarian Armenian School.

In Providence, the ARS Ani and Arax Chapters hosted their “Walk Armenia” at the Hugh B. Baine Middle School track, Cranston, RI.  Over 70 ARS members and ARS supporters, including many young students, walked around the track on a beautiful sunny day.  The chapters raised over $2,000, allocating their local portion of the proceeds to a very grateful Mourad Armenian School.  The chapters are already looking forward to hosting the Second Annual “Walk Armenia” in 2004.

In Racine, the ARS Sosseh Chapter walked in support of the ARS “Sponsor a Child” orphan program.  The chapter began its walk at the Racine Zoo on Lake Michigan, located on Main Street, Racine.  Chapter members and their supporters – including a large contingent of Racine AYF-YOARF members – march along this high visible route on a two-mile course generating great interest from the on-looking public.  Marchers holding a specially prepared banner promoting the ARS and the “Sponsor a Child” program led the way.  Registration took place near the zoo entrance, marked by bunches of red, blue, and orange balloons.  Wearing their ARS “Walk Armenia” tee-shirts, the participants sang Armenian patriotic songs as they marched and distributed flyers explaining the ARS and its many programs and projects to the curious onlookers.  The Racine “Walk Armenia” generated even more publicity when it passed the City of Racine’s annual Pancake Day and Art Fair, taking place at the same time. The group finished its event with photos on the steps of Memorial Hall, followed by refreshments.

In Watertown, the ARS Cambridge and Watertown Leola Sassouni Chapters hosted their “Walk Armenia” with the participation of about 125 enthusiastic walkers, including ARS members, St. Stephens Saturday School students, AYF-YOARF members, and HMEM members.  They followed a four-mile route starting and ending at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center in Watertown, where a lunch reception was held for all participants.  A Boston Herald reporter was also present for the event.  The joint ARS Cambridge and Watertown “Walk Armenia” donations were allocated by the chapters to the ARS Javakhk Fund, which benefited greatly by their donation of over $2,500.

In Granite City, Illinois, the ARS Reubena Chapter, supported by a hardy contingent of walkers, designated its “Walk Armenia” local proceeds to the ARS Javakhk Fund. The Granite City walkers circled St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church and stopped at the nursing home next door to the church to visit long-time ARS member and Armenian Genocide survivor Ungh. Nevart Hagopian.

Plans for the Second Annual “Walk Armenia” will begin in the coming months.  For more information about this or any of the ARS’s programs, contact the ARS Eastern USA office at (617) 926-3801, e-mail the office at arseastus@aol.com, or visit the ARS Eastern USA’s website at arseastus.org.