Click on a Chapter to see their activity for 2019
CHAPTER ACTIVITY
NATIONAL
September
George S. Yacoubian, Jr. ran in the Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon for SOAR
August
SOAR East Coast Regional Director, Susan Harootunian, and Executive Board Secretary, Denise Sisian, visited Kharberd Orphanage. A small note on the visit from Susan:
This is our 4th time visiting Kharberd Orphanage. Our sponsored child is Angelina. We always bring something for everyone…this time it was ice cream delivered by Grand Candy which was really great for children and staff. We also brought clothes and some shoes for all the children in Angelina’s room. We got to see Kohar and Movses also that we had met before. My cousin Denise had previously bought Movses shoes before he had a sponsor. Kohar greets everyone at the gate and we were so happy to see her again and had some treats for her as well. It’s always such an emotional visit. Most of the kids are very happy and well taken care of but there are many that are still bedridden and in grave condition. The staff seem to do their best but there is no where near enough staff for the amount of seriously physical and medical conditions…breaks your heart.
July
SOAR visits SOS Kotayk observing Art Therapy and the playgound all funded by SOAR
March 8-10
SOAR National held meetings in Philadelphia for chapter presidents and/or treasurers from 22 US chapters.
Meetings held on Saturday and Sunday
A dinner was graciously hosted by Laurel and Greg Sarian.
Awards presented to Talar Herculian Coursey for Volunteer of the Year and to Ginny Kevorkian on behalf of the Atlanta Juniors who won Junior Volunteers of the Year.
SOAR National Held the Annual March Madness Pool
AARHUS
SOAR Aarhus participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi is an internal administrative chapter assisting with purchasing
ALBUQUERQUE
SOAR Albuquerque participates in the Cultural Discovery Program and the Language Tutoring Program
AMMAN
SOAR Amman participates in the Cultural Discovery Program and the Language Tutoring Program
AMSTERDAM
SOAR Amsterdam participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ANCHORAGE
ANKARA
SOAR Ankara participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
March 2019
Monika Manişak-Paksoy, SOAR Ankara Chapter President, gave a presentation to the children of Orran about Turkey, Istanbul, Ankara and the Armenian community life in Istanbul. She introduced herself and then presented some colorful photos of the country, of their Armenian schools, churches, hospitals, orphanages, Armenian news media in Istanbul and finished with some food photos.
ANTWERP
SOAR Antwerp participates in the Female Empowerment Program
ATHENS
SOAR Athens participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ATLANTA
October
SOAR Atlanta held their annual bowling fundraiser
BADHDAD
SOAR Baghdad participates in the Business Development Program
BALTIMORE
July
Javakh Summer Camp, funding by SOAR Baltimore
May
SOAR Baltimore held a very successful event,”Dine for a Cause”, at Syriana Cafe and Gallery
BARCELONA
SOAR Barcelona participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
BERLIN
SOAR Berlin participates in the Female Empowerment Program
BOGOTA
SOAR Bogota participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
BOSTON
October
SOAR Boston hosted a Scotch and Steak Soiree
BRUSSELS
November
Vocational training continues for 4 students, thanks to SOAR Brussels!
October 5
SOAR Brussels hosted a very successful piano recital featuring world renowned pianist, Hayk Melikyan
June 2019
SOAR Brussels held a Concert and Dance Party fundraiser
BUCHAREST
SOAR Bucharest participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
BUDAPEST
SOAR Budapest participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
BUENOS AIRES
CADIZ
SOAR Cadiz participates in the Language Tutoring Program
CAIRO
SOAR Cairo participates in the Language Tutoring Program (English)
CHARLOTTE
CHICAGO
May
SOAR Chicago held their second annual “Mother’s Day Brunch” to raise awareness and funds for SOAR’s Sponsorship Fund
CINCINNATI
Chapter Page
SOAR Cincinnati assists in the production of the SOAR semi-annual newsletter
CLEVELAND
COLORADO
October
SOAR Colorado held their inaugural fundraising event. Happy hour was a fun time had by all… They met each other, learned more about SOAR, and enjoyed drinks, food, and getting to know new people in their community. They were able to donate $2,250 due to the funds raised from this event. With these funds, Warm Hearth will be able to cover the home’s ongoing costs this year, such as food, utilities, medication, educational programs, and staff salaries.
COLUMBUS
COPENHAGEN
SOAR Copenhagen participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
CYPRUS
SOAR Cyprus participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
DALLAS
June
SOAR Dallas held a school supply drive
March
Dine and Donate fundraiser at Modern Market
February
A shipment on its way with items from Project Cure and school supplies collected by SOAR Dallas
DETROIT
Detroit oversees all aspects of the Volunteer Program
DOHA
SOAR Doha participates in the Disability Early Warning System Program
SOAR Doha is an Internal Administrative Chapter overseeing medical requests and funding
DUBAI
SOAR Dubai participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
DUBLIN
EAST ASIA
SOAR East Asia participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
EINDHOVEN
SOAR Eindhoven participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ESTONIA
SOAR Estonia participates in the Global Hosting Program and the Computer Science Program
FRANKFURT/BONN
SOAR Frankfurt/Bonn participates in the Language Tutoring Program
FRESNO
SOAR Fresno oversees the Global Hosting Program
GENEVA
GREENSBORO
SOAR Greensboro participates in the Cultural Discovery Program and the Global Hosting Program
HAMBURG
SOAR Hamburg participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
HARRISBURG
May 2019
SOAR Harrisburg gave a presentation to Vanadzor and Orran
SOAR Harrisburg participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
HARTFORD
SOAR Hartford oversees the Disaster Assistance and Response Team
HELSINKI
February
One of the six online English classes organized by SOAR Helsinki Chapter for the children at Orran
SOAR Helsinki participates in the Cultural Discovery Program and the Language Tutoring Program
HOUSTON
SOAR Houston participates in the Disability Early Warning System Program
IDAHO
SOAR Idaho is an Internal Administrative Chapter overseeing social media
INDIANAPOLIS
SOAR Indianapolis participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
INLAND EMPIRE
SOAR Inland Empire participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
JACKSONVILLE
November
SOAR Jacksonville held an online live raffle of a Michael Aram piece.
You can see the raffle taking place HERE
May
SOAR Jacksonville held their 2nd Annual SOAR BBQ Picnic
JERUSALEM
JOHANNESBURG
SOAR Johannesburg participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
KANSAS CITY (MO)
SOAR Kansas City (Mo) participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
KENTUCKY
KIEV
SOAR Kiev participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
KRAKOW
SOAR Krakow participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
KRASNODAR
SOAR Krakow participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
LA CANADA
LAS CRUCES
SOAR Las Cruces participates in the Bible Study Program
LAS VEGAS
SOAR Las Vegas participates in the Cultural Discovery Program and the Female Empowerment Program
LEEDS
SOAR Leeds participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
LISBON
SOAR Lisbon participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
LONDON
November 30
SOAR London held a hugely successful evening with over 120 guests from both the Armenian community and non-Armenians along with both Armenian Priests. It was a wonderfully fun evening full of delicious Armenian food, lots of drinks, a really interesting quiz and a big raffle with some amazing prizes. They also did a brief intro presentation on what SOAR does. The Quiz Night has quickly become a favorite event in the community and will become an annual event!
February
Completion of renovations of the infirmary at OLA Gyumri that began last September, funded by SOAR London and SOAR San Diego
LOS ANGELES
LUXEMBOURG
SOAR Luxembourg participates in the Language Tutoring Program (English)
LYON
SOAR Lyon participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
MALTA
Malta participates in the Global Hosting Program
MADRID
SOAR Madrid participates in the Computer Science Program, mentoring the children at Gyumri and Vanadzor
MARSEILLE
SOAR Marseille participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
MELBOURNE
MEXICO CITY
SOAR Mexico City participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
MIAMI
SOAR Miami participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
MILAN
SOAR Milan participates in the Mentoring Program
MINNEAPOLIS
September 29
Fall Music Concert
Held SOAR’s Annual March Madness Pool
SOAR Minneapolis participates in the Language Tutoring Program (Russian and English)
MINSK
SOAR Minsk participates in the Language Tutoring Program (Russian)
MONACO
MONTEBELLO
MONTREAL
MOROCCO
MOSCOW
MUNICH
SOAR Munich participates in the Computer Science Program
MUSCAT
July
SOAR Muscat gave a presentation to the children of Orran
SOAR Muscat participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
NAPLES
January
Pre-renovation of infirmiry at Gyumri Social Childcare Center funded by SOAR Naples
NEW DELHI
SOAR New Delhi participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
NEW JERSEY
September
SOAR New Jersey held “Fund at the Pier” fundraiser raising almost $9,000!
On behalf of the NJ Chapter Board Members, the utmost gratitude is extended to the following sponsors and raffle donors:
Anytime Fitness, Cliffside Park, NJ
Arden & Tanya Tirpanciyan
Artline Kitchen LLC
AVOS Grill
Diane Piranian
Dolce Vita Window Treatments
Elizabeth Nazar
Evol Health, PLLC
Farka’s Plastic Surgery
Jack’s Lobster Shack
Jasmin Mina
Jewels By Atlantis
Jo Ann Thaler
Lorin Silver Jewelry
Murat Orgunc
Narin Kececioglu
Narin Yesiltepe
Safeguard Chemical Corp
Sinan Cinar
Taleen’s Boutique
Tauany Mattos
**A special shout-out goes to Michele Donargo, Pier 115 Bar & Grill for making this event possible and all attendees for your generosity and support!
NEW ORLEANS
SOAR New Orleans participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
NEW YORK
September
Pre-construction, mid-construction, and completion of the 1st floor bathrooms at Warm Hearth
July
Completion of playroom renovations at Tsaghgadzor Camp funded by SOAR New York
April
SOAR New York held their Spring Rooftop Mix and Mingle fundraiser
NOTTINGHAM
SOAR Nottingham participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ODESSA
SOAR Odessa participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ORANGE COUNTY
OSLO
OXBRIDGE
SOAR Oxbridge participates in the Financial Planning Program
PANAMA
SOAR Panama helps oversee the Child Reunification and Family Training (CRAFT) Program
PARIS
PERTH
PHILADELPHIA METRO
September
Renovations of bathroom at Dzorak funded by SOAR Philadelphia
April 29, 2019 and May 9, 2019
SOAR Philadelphia hosted “Eat for a Cause”
May
SOAR Philadelphia held a Mother’s Day Raffle drawing for a Louis Vuitton tote.
April
A large distribution to Naghasyan Children’s Support Center (formerly Mer Hooys) funded by SOAR Philly
A distribution of $20,0000 to Birds’ Nest Orphange for utility payments from SOAR Philadelpia!
PHOENIX
PISA
SOAR Pisa participates in the Disability Early Warning System Program
PITTSBURGH
SOAR Pittsburgh participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
PORTLAND (ME)
SOAR Portland (ME) participates in the Female Empowerment Program
PORTLAND (OR)
SOAR Portland (OR) participates in the Pen Pal Program
PRAGUE
SOAR Prague oversees blogging
PROVIDENCE
PUERTO RICO
SOAR Puerto Rico participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ROME
SOAR Rome participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
ROTTERDAM
July
A container of equipment funded by the Sports for Children Foundation and facilitated by SOAR Rotterdam
SOAR Rotterdam participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
SACRAMENTO
ST LOUIS
July 1st – August 1st
SOAR St Louis held their Annual Vacation Package Raffle
SAINT PETERSBURG
SOAR Saint Petersburg participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
SALT LAKE CITY
October
Much needed mechanical and cosmetic repairs on two buses for St. Theresa’s Little Flower Orphanages in Syria, funded by SOAR Salt Lake City
October
Held Yoga for The Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief, a special yoga class to benefit orphaned Armenian children and adults with disabilities. This cause is near and dear to us to support Talar Herculian, Salt Lake City Chapter President.
April
Talar Herculian-Coursey ran in the Salt Lake City Half Marathon raising OVER $20,000 for the orphanges in Syria and Lebanon!
Held SOAR’s Annual March Madness Pool
SOAR Salt Lake City is an Internal Administrative Chapter assisting in legal matters
SALZBURG
SOAR Salzburg participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
SAN ANTONIO/AUSTIN
SAN DIEGO
October
A garden for Warm Hearth funded by SOAR San Diego and the Gulamerian Fund
June
A new water heater for Our Lady of Armenia Center funded by SOAR San Diego
April
SOAR San Diego held a very successful “Painting with a Purpose” fundraiser
February
Completion of renovations of the infirmary at OLA Gyumri that began last September, funded by SOAR London and SOAR San Diego
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
November
Winter coats purchased for 53 children living in a residential care facility in Gyumri funded by SOAR San Francisco Bay Area
October
Blankets for Shengavit Kindergarten funded by SOAR San Francisco Bay Area
September
New clothes and school supplies for Shengavit Kindergarten funded by SOAR San Francisco Bay Area
September
Diapers for Mari Izmirlyan funded by SOAR San Francisco Bay Area
September
A new oven for Our Lady of Armenia Center Summer Camp (Tsaghgadzor) funded by SOAR San Francisco Bay Area
SANTIAGO
SOAR Santiago participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
SAO PAULO
SOAR São Paulo participates in the Cultural Discovery Program and the Global Hosting Program
SAUDI ARABIA
SEATTLE
October
SLOVAKIA
SOAR Slovakia participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
SOCHI
SOAR Sochi participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
SOFIA
SOAR Sofia participates in the Global Hosting Program
SOUTHEAST ASIA
SOAR Southeast Asia participates in the Global Hosting Program
STOCKHOLM
SOAR Stockholm participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
SYDNEY
SYRACUSE
TBILISI
SOAR Tbilisi participates in the Cultural Discovery Program and is an Administrative chapter assisting with excursions to Georgia
TEHRAN
SOAR Tehran participates in the Language Tutoring Program
TENNESSEE
THESSALONIKI
April
The members of the Thessaloniki chapter giving a presentation to the children of Orran
TORONTO
VANCOUVER
SOAR Vancouver participates in the Disability Early Warning System Program
VENTURA COUNTY
Classroom renovations at Nubarashen funded by the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR)-Ventura County Chapter in memory of Mrs. Maro Khatchadourian
VIENNA
SOAR Vienna participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
WARSAW
SOAR Warsaw participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
WASHINGTON DC METRO
SOAR Washington DC Metro participates in the Cultural Discovery Program
WISCONSIN
June
SOAR Wisconsin held their annual Golf Outing and Gourmet Dinner
Pictures coming soon!
ZURICH
Upcoming Event December 4th
October
Tania Mobayed, SOAR Zurich board member, made a visit to Gyumri
June
Thank you Hripsime Muradyan, Exec. Director in Armenia, who led a children’s program on June 1, 2019 in Lebanon. SOAR ZH was a co-sponsor for this event.
In attendance were AEBS, Bird’s Nest, CAO and Bzommar, overall 146 people. They had lovely party and tasty food, walk in outdoor garden, playing …
The kids had lovely celebration in Anjar, Lebanon, at “Razmig” restaurant. It was the first time that all kids from the following mentioned SOAR supported facilities got together.