SOUTH BAY, Calif.—The Armenian Youth Federation’s (AYF) ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign received a financial boost from the South Bay community. During a fundraising event on November 2 organized at the Armenian Community Center of Torrance, $15,000 was collected to help continue the efforts of the AYF aimed at reaching the families of those who gave their lives for Artsakh during and in the aftermath of the Four Day War. This donation consisted of a generous contribution of $10,000 from the Patriotic Union of Daron-Douruperan.
The 60 guests in attendance at the fundraising event on November 2nd emphasized the importance of the Diasporan Armenians showing support for those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our Homeland and maintaining the connection between the youth living outside of the Homeland and those serving on the front lines in Artsakh.
‘It is the responsibility of all Armenians, both in Armenia and in the Diaspora, to do everything in our power to ensure the security of Artsakh. We must also make sure that the families who lost their loved ones never feel alone or forgotten,’ said Raffy Mardirossian, the Chairperson of the South Bay/Torrance ACF chapter, which spearheaded this fundraiser.
AYF Central Executive and With Our Soldiers committee member Puzant Berberian expressed his gratitude to the South Bay community and the local ACF chapter for their continuous dedication to the efforts aimed assisting the families of our fallen heroes.
“The South Bay AYF chapter organized the first fundraiser for ‘With Our Soldiers’ back in 2011, a month before the first phase of the campaign was launched. Five years later, the local community came together once again to extend a helping hand to the families of our fallen heroes in Armenia and Artsakh,” said Berberian.
The committee has reported that it has reached out to more than 90 families of servicemen who died during and in the aftermath of the Four Day War and has distributed more than $110,000 in assistance. In the coming weeks, the committee members in Armenia will visit the families of remaining soldiers who died in action on the front lines since April.
Source: Asbarez
Link: South Bay Armenian Community Stands ‘With Our Soldiers’