On Sunday, July 14, 2019, the Educational Committee of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley will host a lecture on the “Armenia Tree Project – Celebrating 25 Years” presented by Anahit Gharibyan & Sarah Hayes. The lecture will begin at 1:00 p.m., after the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, at the Prelacy “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall (6250 Honolulu Ave, La Crescenta, CA 91214).

Armenia Tree Project (ATP), based in Woburn and Yerevan, conducts environmental projects in Armenia’s impoverished and deforested zones and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has made enormous strides in alleviating desertification in the biologically diverse and threatened Caucasus region. More than 5,700,000 trees have been planted and restored, and hundreds of new jobs have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-related programs.

ATP works to enhance Armenia’s economic and social development by mobilizing resources to fund reforestation. These new trees provide vitally needed food, wood, environmental benefits, and opportunities for economic growth. Our goal is to assist the Armenian people through the use of trees that will improve their standard of living and protect the global environment.

Anahit Gharibyan has been with Armenia Tree Project since its establishment in 1994. For 16 years she was the manager of ATP’s Community Tree Planting (CTP) program. Because of her efforts, ATP’s CTP program has planted and rejuvenated 1,026,857 trees at 842 sites all over Armenia and Artsakh. In 2007, Anahit Gharibyan visited Lebanon to help establish a tree planting program affiliated with the American University of Beirut. In 2010 Anahit moved to the United States to continue her work for ATP as Western Region Community Outreach Manager. She also promotes ATP through Building Bridges program connecting Diaspora Armenian students with their environmental heritage in more than 70 CA schools.

Sarah Hayes found her connection to Armenia when she served as an Environmental Education U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Sisian from 2005-2007. During her service, she secured a grant through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to plant trees with students. After her two year Peace Corps service, Sarah relocated to Boston where she began working with Armenia Tree Project and is now ATP’s West Coast Operations Manager in Los Angeles. Since 2009, Hayes has managed ATP’s Building Bridges program and strongly believes that environmental education is important to help raise ecological awareness within the diaspora community, strengthen cultural identity and address global environmental issues.

We invite our parishioners and the greater community to attend Divine Liturgy and the presentation to follow. The event is free of charge to the public.

LOS ANGELES, CA: Bridge of Health, a non-profit organization helping children conquer cancer in Armenia, is proud to announce their upcoming charity fundraiser event, Roots Gala, to be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at Aurora Banquet Hall.

Roots Gala, hosted by PanArmenia TV Host, Mher Baghdasaryan,  marks Bridge of Health’s 5th annual Gala hosted in honor of the children who defeated cancer, in remembrance of the children who lost their battle, and in recognition of the members and supporters of Bridge of Health. Members of the organization will also present the progress on their establishment of Armenia’s first ever pediatric cancer registry.

This black-tie event will embrace the roots of the Armenian heritage and celebrate the passionate Armenian spirit. Bridge of Health is a 100% not for profit organization whose goal is to bring strong medical advancement to Armenia and give their all to children fighting every day for a healthy future.

Guests can expect  an art gallery, dinner ceremony, live entertainment, dancing, and amazing raffle prizes donated by local businesses. Open bar courtesy of Gold Shaker bartending and tunes provided by DJ Armond will keep the crowd lively well into the night.

“As Bridge of Health grows, we continue to pursue a vision beyond the present. Through the creation

of the pediatric cancer registry, we are aiming to bring real systemic change to Armenia that will

be an incredible investment for future cancer patients. We want to not only help cure children with

cancer, but to systematically improve medical treatments in Armenia for generations to come,” explained President of Bridge of Health and Master of Healthcare Administration, Registered Nurse, and Public Health Nurse, Robert Agaverdian.

Bridge of Health’s Guyn Gala last year raised over $30,000.00 in funds. This year, their goal is to double the donations and reach their first ever total of $60,000.00. For sponsorship inquiries or more information, please visit bridgeofhealth.org.

Current sponsors include: West Coast University, Aurora Banquet Hall, Wells Fargo Bank, William and Company, and Feral Cosmetics.

ABOUT THE CHARITY:

Bridge of Health is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for the life-saving treatments necessary to defeat pediatric cancer patients. Bridge of Health’s journey began after the inspiring story of a small group of college students banding together to host a blow-out fundraising event for a two-year-old boy who traveled from Armenia to the United States in seek of chemotherapy treatments. Staying true to their roots, the organization continues to work directly with doctors, patients, and their families. All members are volunteers donating their time and resources for one mission: give every pediatric cancer patient in Armenia the tools needed to win their battle for good.

BRIDGE OF HEALTH

INFO@BRIDGEOFHEALTH.COM

Samboist Tigran Kirakosyan (52 kg) became a gold medalist of the European Games underway in Minsk, Belarus, the National Olympic Committee reported.

The Armenian samboist competed with Azerbaijani Aghasif Samadov in the decisive bout and celebrated victory, 4:0. Tigran Kirakosyan had started the struggle from the quarterfinals where had had a confident victory over Ukraine’s Roman Bratchenko, 7:0.

In the semifinal Kirakosyan had taken advantage over Russia’s Andrei Kubarkov (3:3).

In total, Armenia won three medals in Sambo tournament represented by six samboists. 

Earlier, on June 22 David Grigoryan (82 kg) became a silver medalist, today Arsen Ghazaryan (74 kg) won bronze and Tigran Kirakosyan became a champion. Maksim Manukyan (57 kg), Asya Lalazaryan (48 kg) and Grigor Sahakyan (90 kg) lost the bouts for bronze.

The Pan-Armenian Games flame was lit in a ceremonial event by the multi-sports championship’s delegation in an Armenian church in a Turkish village, a territory which was once the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.

The torch was lit by Pan-Armenian Games co-founder Armenian-American philanthropist Albert Boyajyan using a candle’s fire in the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Vakif, a village at the foothills of Musa Dagh.

Pan-Armenian Games World Committee Vice President Roland Sharoyan said the ceremony symbolizes the unity of the Armenian nation, wherever they might be.

Armenia’s ruling My Step Alliance faction lawmaker Taguhi Tovmasyan was also in attendance of the ceremony.

The flame was then taken to the summit of Musa Dagh, and will find its way all the way to Artsakh, where the opening ceremony of the VII Pan-Armenian Games will take place in Stepanakert on August 6.

The delegation arrived in Turkey via the recently launched Yerevan-Van direct flight.