The 90th Annual Meeting of AMAA Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Armenian Children’s Milk Fund

By Ani A. Janbazian, DMD

Andy Torigian, AMAA Executive Director presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. & Mrs. Albert & Sue Phillips

The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) held its 90^th annual meeting in Providence, Rhode Island from October 16-18 marking a significant milestone not just for the missionary organization, but also for the Armenian

Children’s Milk Fund, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year.  The Armenian Children’s Milk Fund, an all-volunteer organization, which works in partnership with the AMAA, has been sending life-saving infant formula to Armenia since 1989 and was AMAA’s highlighted affiliated organization at their annual banquet this year.

Over 100 people attended the AMAA meeting, including AMAA board members, Armenian Evangelical ministers, church representatives, chapter delegates, worldwide mission partners and friends from all over the world.  On Friday, October 16, all were welcomed by Rev. Mgo Mekredijian, pastor of the host church, The Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church of Providence, R.I. with introductory greetings by Dr. H. Steven Aharonian, President of the AMAA.  A seminar Investing and Financial Stewardship was presented by speakers Harold Nahigian, President of Nationwide Investments & Insurance, Inc. as well as Todd Polyniak, CPA, Principal and Director of accounting and auditing at Sax, Macy, Fromm & Co., AMAA’s independent auditors. Following the seminar, the AMAA Board of Directors meeting began where all who were present heard the updates and reports of the activities as well as a discussion of future plans. 

Andy Torigian, AMAA Executive Director presenting to Joyce Philibosian Stein a letter from Mr. Henry Morganthau to Mr. Stephen Philibosian from 1916 and picture of Mr. Morganthau beautifully mounted, in honor of the generosity of her father, Mr. Stephen Philibosian, in both time and finances to assist needy Armenians

The 90^th annual meeting began on Saturday, at 9:30 am at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, R.I., with reports from officers and administrators as well as from the numerous committees, affiliated boards, organizations, churches and chapters.  The names of the newly elected members were announced as follows:  H. Steven Aharonian M.D., Charles Bilezikian, Rev. Ara Guekguezian, Berjouhy Gulesserian, Lucy Janjigian, Aram R. Minnetian, Robert Messerlian, Carol Bezirganian Perez, M.D., and Michael Voskian, D.M.D. 

The annual meeting banquet was held that evening in The Bristol Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza where all members and guests were welcomed by Andrew Torigian, Executive Director of AMAA, followed by an invocation by Rev. Mgo Mekredijian.  Guests of the evening and the participants in the program were introduced by the Master of Ceremonies, Melanie Zeitounian of the host church.  Warm greetings were given by H. Steven Aharonian, M.D. (AMAA President), Rev. Joseph Matossian (Minister to Armenian Evangelical Union of North America), Rev. Joel Mikaelian (Armenian Evangelical Union of France President), Rev. Harout Selimian (Armenian Evangelical  World Council President) and Rev. Dr. René Leonian (AMAA Armenia Representative).  The highlight of the evening was the celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the Armenian Children’s Milk Fund, where the organization’s chair Jeanmarie Papelian,  Esq. acknowledged the fund’s milestone with a video presentation that depicted the 20 years of bringing life-saving infant formula to the children of Armenia.  In addition to the video presentation a special

Lility Galstyan of Vanadzor, Armenia with Jeanmarie Papelian, chair of the Armenian Children's Milk Fund

guest, Lilit Galstyan, from Vanadzor, Armenia was introduced. Lilit was one of the thousands of infants from Armenia who received the infant formula during the first few years of her life when she was unable to breast feed because she and her mother were both suffering a life threatening infection from tainted well water. Without the formula, she may not have been alive today. Now 17 years old and healthy, Lilit gave an emotional testimony and a word of gratitude and thanked the AMAA and the Milk Fund for their support.  A beautiful musical program followed with soloist Gohar Manjelikian and pianist Levon Hovsepian.  Andy Torigian presented to Dr. Albert Phillips and his wife Sue a certificate of appreciation for all their work in coordinating and leading a medical team to Armenia in July 2009.  They gave a presentation of the work accomplished there and shared their appreciation for the hard work of their entire team.  Also, a letter from Mr. Henry Morganthau to Mr. Stephen Philibosian from 1916 and picture of Mr. Morganthau were beautifully mounted and presented by Andy Torigian to Mrs. Joyce Stein in honor of the generosity of her father, Mr. Stephen Philibosian, in both time and finances to assist needy Armenians. A benediction by the Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian concluded the evening’s banquet.

The 90^th Annual Meeting Worship Service and Installation of AMAA officers were held the next morning at The Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church.  Rev. Avedis Boynerian, moderator of the AEUNA, presented the Armenian sermon with Rev. Greg Haroutunian delivering the English sermon.  Executive Director Andy Torigian gave a service of remembrance “to those AMAA members who concluded their earthly pilgrimage during the past year and joined the heavenly audience.”  The service was concluded with the installation of the newly elected AMAA Board members by the Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian, Executive Director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.  

The entire weekend would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the AMAA staff, The Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church, their minister Rev. Mgo Mekredijian and the Church Council for hosting the meeting and the ladies of the church for preparing the lunches and dinners, as well as Carlos and Nancy Taraktzian of the host church for playing a key role in handling the weekend’s logistics.

This year’s 90^th annual meeting was once again a success, bringing all participants together in fellowship to praise God for AMAA and its services in 24 countries around the world. 

The AMAA serves the religious, educational and social needs of Armenian communities around the world.  The AMAA was founded in 1918 in Worcester, MA and was incorporated in New York in 1920.  AMAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.