What's Happening with SOAR

SOAR LA: 2011

SOAR-LA is proud to announce that 2011 has been a very successful year in fundraising. Thanks to the strong commitment of our donors, supporters, board members and volunteers, the LA chapter has raised close to $250,000 towards installation of 7 computer labs (OLA, Zadig, Vandzor, Trchoonian Home & SOS supported centers in 3 villages), medical supplies (Kharpert, Gavar) and humanitarian relief to Artsakh’s 2 orphanages ($10K) and to Javakh’s children ($5K) who live in extreme poverty in Georgia.

Let’s all not forget the abandoned and helpless Armenian children whose lives and future depend on us. Your continued support will help us fulfill our promise to make a difference in their lives and make them feel that they are not forgotten!

Make the Holidays special by donating to SOAR-LA , PO Box 69361, Los Angeles, CA 90069 to give an orphan the gift of love and knowledge.

We Thank Yerevan Magazine with great gratitude for their in-depth coverage of our event. Thank you Azzie!!!

SOAR LA: Dec 2011

Yerevan Magazine highlights Casino Royale event with this amazing article “ SOAR Goes All In for the Kids”. Thank you Yerevan Magazine for a terrific coverage!

http://yerevanmagazine.com/soar-goes-all-in-for-the-kids/

SOAR LA: Dec 3, 2011

SOAR-LA celebrates another successful fundraiser which took place on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at the Fine Arts Building, Downtown, LA. The Casino Royale event, sponsored by famed attorney Mark Geragos, Arthur & Lily Seredian & Yerevan Magazine, featured many celebrity guests and sponsors, including talented actor, Hrach Titizian & Family, John & Hasmik Foundation trustees, and three time Emmy Award winning film producer, Bared Maronian.

From the venue (which was stunning), to the food, to the small details (red carpet), to the music, and everything in between, the evening was meticulously planned and exquisitely delivered. We owe much of our success to Mark Geragos and all of his Law firm staff who unconditionally support us in a BIG way! They are UNBELIEVABLE! That includes the fantastic food provided by Burger Continental. We can't thank Gary Hindoyan enough for his immense generosity in providing the food and drinks. THANK YOU MARK!

We also thank Azzie, Kristina, Armen and the entire Yerevan Magazine's staff who did an amazing job in media coverage of the event!

(Click the picture above to see the full gallery)

Special Thanks to Tamar and all the board members, volunteers, family and friends who worked so hard in making this event a great success! We also appreciate George Yacoubian (national president) flying out to LA in support of our efforts!

Our heartfelt thanks & gratitude to our supporters: Arthur & Lily Seredian, Drs Raffi & Myrna Mesrobian, Yerevan Magazine, Dr. Raffi Hovsepian, John & Hasmik Foundation, Dr. Armen Kassabian and many others, who value what we stand for and what we work hard for and that was reflective in the number of people who attended the event. We hope to continue to earn their trust and support in achieving our humanitarian goals.

At the end, when we have such successful fundraisers, we forget all the aches and pain of hard work and long hours in putting an event together because we know we have reached out to help a helpless and abandoned child in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakh.

Thank you ALL: sponsors, donors and supporters for a terrific year of successful fundraising! Proud to announce that SOAR-LA alone has distributed over $250,000 this year alone in projects, medical supplies and humanitarian relief for the orphanages of Armenia, Artsakh and Javakh!

Happy Holidays

Kohar Mardiros Pelter

Photo courtesy Yerevan Magazine

SOAR National: Nov/Dec 2011

SOAR was featured in the November/December 2011 issue of Yerevan Magazine! Click here to read the article!

SOAR-LA: June, 2011

Four orphanages in Armenia: Zadig, Hadug Tibi (HT), Vanadzor and Our Lady of Armenia Center(OLA) open the doors of their new computer labs funded by SOAR-LA in June 2011.

OLA’s computer lab opening took place on October 16, 2011 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Mr. Papken Megerian, Siranoush Hovhannissian and the Board members of Yerevan chapter represented SOAR-LA at this heartwarming ceremony. Sr. Arousiag and staff expressed their sincere appreciation of the donation by a dedication plaque to SOAR-LA Board and volunteers.

We thank them all for their hard work and unwavering commitment for the children. Special thanks to Siranoush Hovhannissian who coordinated the entire computer project. We are glad that we are able to make a difference in the lives of the children. It is our pleasure to see them have the gift of knowledge.

SOAR-LA: September 20, 2011

SOAR-LA is proud to announce that a sizeable donation of medical supplies was successfully delivered to the Kharpert Orphanage in Yerevan, Armenia. The donation was made by Dr. R. Mokhtarian and Dr. Sorin Kazanjian (Glendale, CA) to SOAR-LA in January of 2011. After several months of packing and preparation, the 44 foot trailer was loaded with the help of Edward Mokhtarian (son of Dr. Mokhtarian) and many of SOAR-LA board members and volunteers. The donation included general medical supplies, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, scooters and other medical supplies which Dr. Balasanyan (the director of the orphanage) and his staff received early September of 2011!!! Representatives of Minister of Labor and Social Issues of Armenia: Mr. Artashes Kirakosyan (assistant to the minister of Labor and Social Issues) and Mrs. Lala Ghazaryan (head of the Family, Women and Children’s Issues) visited Kharpert Orphanage and expressed appreciation of the donation.

SOAR-LA greatly appreciates Edward Mokhtarian’s commitment and generosity as well as all SOAR-LA board members and volunteers who helped fulfill this task with unwavering commitment. Our special thanks to United Armenia Fund (UAF) and SOAR partners in Armenia for facilitating the shipment.This medical supply and equipment shipment is a significant donation which will aid the disabled and handicapped children of the Kharpert orphanage. We thank Dr. Mokhtarian and Dr. Kazanjian for their very generous gift to those children.

SOAR-LA: June 11, 2011

On June 11th SOAR-LA hosted a successful comedy, dinner and dance at the Hilton Hotel in Glendale. In a mesmerizing and exquisite setting, provided by the Hilton Hotel , the banquet hall looked magical . White ivory long stem orchid center pieces (donated by David Z florist) adorned the room. Friends, families and supporters of SOAR-LA- almost 300 guests in total- received an elegant reception with music played by a professional string trio; Gherman Markosian, Garik Terzian , and Alexander Kalman. Yerevan magazine photographer Armen and editor Ani Garibyan welcomed the guests in an exclusive red carpet style coverage!!!

Guests enjoyed delicious appetizers by Burger Continental, and an exclusive silent auction of art work (by Stephanie’s art gallery) as well as pieces of Lalique crystal, and Lladro statues (by Regali Preciozo). A Tahitian Island exotic cruise (by Paul Gauguin cruises) and Leela Hotel Stays in India, Carousel restaurant VIP gift certificates and Bloomingdale’s Glam makeover VIP packages and many other silent auction items also adorned the tables.

Among the distinguished celebrities and guests were Professor Hrayr Dekmejian, Sourpazan Vache Hovsepian and the Kassabian and Geragos family and friends. George Yacoubian, Sr. flew in from Philadelphia to represent SOAR national board in support of the evening. The event began with the legendary comedian Krikor Satamian bringing so much laughter and entertainment followed by distinguished attorney, Mark Geragos, MC of the event who presented honorees of the evening with awards of appreciation for their generous support. The honorees included Mr. & Mrs. Arthur and Lily Seredian, Drs. Robert Mokhtarian, Sorin Kazanjian (awards received by Edward Mokhtarian) and Mrs. Paulette Kassabian Geragos were honored for their generous donations and support of SOAR –LA.

The dinner, enjoyed by all, included mezzas and kebabs by Burger Continental, complimentary wine donated by Remedy Liquor, cake and baklava bar donated by Vrej pastry, and aromatic espresso/cappuccino bar by Café Epoque and Bradford coffee company. The guests danced and were entertained till 2 am with singer Harut Jekelian and his band’s fantastic songs and music.

SOAR-LA board and volunteers wish to express our gratitude to Mark and Paulette Geragos for their continued support of SOAR and its humanitarian mission.. We also thank Joe Titizian, the general manager of Hilton Hotel in Glendale, Kristina Gukasyan, and the entire team of Yerevan Magazine for their coverage of the event. And, above all, our deepest appreciation goes to all of our donors, sponsors, friends, families and supporters attended the event whose kind and generous donations are helping to fund the reconstruction of the Zadik orphanage’s farming village in Arzni, Armenia.

http://yerevanmagazine.com/soaring-one-orphanage-at-a-time/

SOAR-LA: April 29, 2011

On April 29, 2011, Michael Aram made a personal appearance at Bloomingdale’s in Century Mall (Los Angeles, CA). A large crowd came to meet Michael in person and purchase many of his rare and elegant houseware pieces. SOAR-LA extends its gratitude to Michael for his remarkable generosity and kindness in donating 10% of these proceeds to SOAR-LA. We also wish to thank the Bloomingdale’s staff and management for their hospitality. SOAR-LA looks forward to a long-term partnership with Michael as we continue to assist orphaned Armenian children living in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Javakh.

SOAR-LA: April 8, 2011

SOAR-LA is proud to announce that Kharpert orphanage held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of its Medical Care Clinic facilities on April 8th, 2011. The complete renovation and refurnishing of the clinic was completed in February of 2011 and was sponsored fully by SOAR’s Los Angeles Chapter. Representatives from the Board of trustees and Yerevan chapter were present at the ceremony. In 2010, the board of SOAR Los Angeles inspired to renovate the outpatient treatment center at the Kharpert orphanage in Armenia, after assessing its serious deteriorating conditions and need for renovation. This treatment center is an important area for medical care where 300+ physically and mentally disabled children receive care and treatment. Infestations of mold and rust have led to completely deteriorating conditions which in turn made it impossible for the children to receive adequate and humane care. By December 2010, SOAR-LA Board members¾ with the support of many of its volunteers, loyal donors, and supporters¾ were able to successfully raise $35,000 to completely renovate and furnish the treatment center. SOAR –LA expresses its special thanks to George Yacoubian (national president & founder), Dr. Balasanyan (director of the orphanage) and Ms. Siranoush Hovhannissian (SOAR representative in Armenia) for leading the project to completion. Our sincere gratitude goes to Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Seredian and Mark and Paulette Geragos, board members and volunteers for their unwavering dedication to the orphans. Ultimately, we want to thank all of our supporters without whom such accomplishments could not have happened.

SOAR-LA: December 5, 2010

The Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief –Los Angeles chapter celebrated the year end of 2010 by a festive and glamorous fundraising event – A Holiday Wine and Cheese Party which took place on December 5th, 2010 at the residence of well known humanitarians and supporters of SOAR, Mark and Paulette Geragos, in La Canada, CA. Mark and Paulette generously hosted this event, Burger Continental donated delicious food and a great wine selection, while Art’s Bakery kindly provided an incredible variety of deserts.

A trio of professional string players lead by a talented violinist, Yelena Yegoryan, played beautiful classical compositions and entertained the guests. Over 25 exclusive silent auction items consisting of Fine arts paintings by Carzou and Edward Chahinne and others, original painting by Aghassi Taslakian, an exclusive sculpture by George Keshishyan, modern art painting by Anita Toutikian, jewelry and Armenian artifacts as well as a number of other items were donated by various SOAR supporters including Mark & Paulette Geragos, Stephanie’s’ Fine Art Gallery, David Z, Design florist, Avanessi jewelry, RAA publishers, Wine of the Month Club and Jessica Cosmetics, Regali Precioso and many others ……

Over 200 specially invited guests attended the event, and many of our loyal supporters and donors came to show their continued support. Mark and Paulette Geragos gave a very warm enthusiastic welcome and support of the orphans. George Yacoubian Jr., the founder and national president of SOAR, inc., flew in from Philadelphia to take part in the event. He offered a heartfelt speech and thanked everyone for their continued support in making such a huge difference in the lives of children from 15 orphanages SOAR supports.

The event raised over $15,000 that helped achieve SOAR-LA’s 2010 goal for the complete renovation and full furnishing of the outpatient treatment clinic in Kharpert Orphanage. Our Special thanks for helping in organizing this event goes to our newest board member, Tamar Arminak, Geragos & Geragos Law Firm Staff and to all of SOAR-Los Angeles board of directors and volunteers who worked hard in making this final fundraiser a huge success. THANK YOU ALL!!!

October 16, 2010 - Philadelphia

To celebrate our 5th anniversary, a dinner dance was held at The Sheraton University City Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, October 16, 2010. Featured program included:

• Master of Ceremonies - Distinguished attorney Mark J. Geragos
• Mezza, full course dinner, and open bar
• DJ Nick Terkanian
• Songwriter and Poet Alan Semerdjian
• Chinese and silent auctions
• Complimentary Zulal CD for all attendees

More than $10,000.00 was raised, all of which will be earmarked for the orphanages in Armenia. Thank you to our generous supporters and volunteers - we had a fantastic evening!

SOAR-LA: October 3, 2010

SOAR-Los Angeles held its first annual Yerevan Casino Nights and Poker Tournament Fundraising Event, which took place on October 3, 2010 to raise money to renovate the outpatient treatment clinic at Kharpert Home for Disabled Children in Armenia.

The event took place at NYX by Tasca located at 156 S. Brand Blvd. in Glendale, CA. It was a great success attracting over 100 guests who enjoyed this fun-filled evening of great buffet, casino style gaming featuring professional dealers, terrific silent auction and exciting raffle prizes in support of our mission. Super Sako was the MC for the evening and brought much enthusiasm and fun to the event. Glendale News Press was present and did a great coverage of the event. We were able to raise substantial amount of funds towards the renovation of the Kharpert Orphanage’s outpatient treatment clinic, through sponsorships and ticket sales. The event was a huge success due to the hard work and commitment of SOAR-LA board members and volunteers who dedicated long hours to make the event a success.

We extend our deepest gratitude to NYX, sponsors of the event, loyal donors and supporters for their belief in our mission and for their continued support of our local chapter in its effort to increase the awareness of the plight of our children in Armenia’s orphanages to the greater Los Angeles community.

SOAR-Seattle: May 4, 2010

In anticipation of launching a SOAR Chapter in Seattle, a group of SOAR supporters held a smashingly successful cooking class fundraiser, with the generous help of Chef Lesa Sullivan. Whole Foods in Roosevelt Square provided the kitchen classroom, and 18 guests enjoyed learning to prepare Armenian cuisine in this hands-on cooking class. The menu:

• Pilaf (baked rice, with sautéed pasta, nuts, and dried fruit)
• Matzoun (home-made whole milk yogurt)
• Sarma (grape leaves stuffed with rice, currants, and lamb)
• Spinach-Lentil Soup
• Bourma (rolled walnut and sugar dessert)

They raised $575.00 for SOAR, and had a great time doing it! Outstanding for a first time effort!