Philadelphia, PA — The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region Endowment Fund will host the ANCA Eastern Region 7th Annual Banquet on Saturday, October 12, 2013 in Philadelphia, PA. The banquet will begin with an elegant cocktail reception and silent auction at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and awards ceremony at 8:00 p.m.

This year, the ANCA Eastern Region will honor critically-acclaimed author Chris Bohjalian with its prestigious ANCA Freedom Award for outstanding contributions toward the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and for pursuing other issues of importance to the Armenian American community.

The ANCA will also present Zohrab Tazian with the esteemed ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award, which honors Armenian American activists who have exemplified the ideals of the founder of the Hai Tahd movement.

The event will take place in the heart of Philadelphia at the Hilton DoubleTree hotel, located at 237 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Mention ANCA Banquet to get the reduced rate of $149.00 per night.

The largest annual fundraising event for the ANCA Eastern Region will also feature a Banquet Kick-Off Party that Friday, October 11, starting at 9 p.m. at Hip Philly, located at 1050 N. Hancock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.

Banquet co-chairs James Kzirian and Lorig Baronian, both active members of the Philadelphia Armenian American community and members of the ANC of Pennsylvania, are working diligently to ensure the success of this annual fundraising event.

“This is a fantastic event that truly showcases the activities and support throughout the ANCA Eastern Region. We are looking forward to a spectacular turnout on October 12,” said Kzirian.

Since 2007, the ANCA Freedom Award has been presented to former US Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans, Pulitzer Prize winning author Dr. Samantha Power, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, the late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, former U. S. Senator Robert Dole, former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, and Baroness Caroline Cox.

Past recipients of the ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award include Vahe Amirian of New Jersey, Martha Aramian of Rhode Island, Bedros Bandazian of Virginia, Melanie Kerneklian of Virginia, Tatul Sonentz-Papazian of Massachusetts, Ruth Thomasian of Massachusetts, Stephen Dulgarian of Massachusetts, and Professor Richard Hovannisian of California.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.anca.org/erbanquet or contact James Kzirian at (267) 767-0453.

The ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization that supports the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region in outreach to Armenian American communities.

Photo Captions:

Top: New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian will receive the 2013 ANCA Freedom Award at this year’s banquet held in Philadelphia.

Bottom: Longtime Hai Tahd activist Zohrab Tazian is the recipient of the 7th annual ANCA Eastern Region banquet’s Vahan Cardashian Award.