FRESNO—The son of late Asbarez editor Melik-Shah, Garo Gureghian and his wife Alice announced a donation of $300,000 to the Fresno Armenian Community Center—the Asbarez Center—during a meeting Sunday with Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee chairman Dr. Viken Hovsepian and other CC and Fresno Tehlirian chapter leaders.
A part of the donation is slated to be used for much-needed renovations to the center, which has been the hear beat of the Fresno community for generations and housed the Asbarez editorial offices, when the newspaper was published in Fresno. Another part of the sum will bequeathed to the Fresno Center for future projects.
ARF Fresno Tehlirian chapter member and noted community activist Mheir Chekherdemian conveyed the news of the donation to Asbarez, and recalled his long-time friendship with the Gureghian family.
“Since they [the Gureghians] did not have children, they view all the youth in the center—Homenetmen scouts, athletes, AYF members and juniors—as their children. With this princely donation they asked that the center undergo improvements that will serve the youth and become a place where they can hold their activities,” said Chekherdemian.
The Asbarez family is proud that the son of one of its influential editors, Melik-Shah (1949-52, 1969-1970), has taken such a generous step, while at the same time congratulating Mr. & Mrs. Gureghian on their 50th wedding anniversary wishing them a long and healthy life so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor.