“Armenia Fund appealed to me because while driving through Stepanakert two summers ago, my father told me that Armenia Fund’s efforts had resulted in the creation of these new roads,” said Ayrikian, 23, and a graduate student at Boston University.
This is the first time Ayrikian is volunteering with Armenia Fund in a coordinating position. Ayrikian has had experience with Armenian activism, working most recently with Armenians for Obama.
When Shaunte Baboumian first volunteered for the New York chapter of Armenia Fund USA, she enjoyed it greatly, especially because of its grassroots approach. She has since continued her involvement and will again participate in the 2008 phone-a-thon and telethon.
“This is an amazing project and it gets the youth and donors here involved and helps bring knowledge to people about Armenia Fund,” said Baboumian, 21, a senior at Columbia University majoring in neuroscience, who will be making phone calls with Ayrikian from New York City. “It’s nice because donors know what they are giving to.”
Armenia Fund USA was founded in 1992 and was one of the first of Armenia Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves Armenians in the United States, east of the Mississippi. As a nonprofit, non-governmental, non-sectarian organization, the fund represents all Armenians. The fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.
The Armenia Fund Telethon 2008 will take place on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
Visit armeniafundusa.org for channel information.
