On March 12, the Crystal Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel was the beautiful setting of the 25th Anniversary of the Armenian Missionary Association of America’s (AMAA) Child and Orphan Care Program. Luncheon Co-Chairs Christina Jabarian, Melody Petrossian and Christine Zenjiryan worked tirelessly to make every aspect of the Luncheon enjoyable for more than 500 guests and supporters. They warmly welcomed the sold out crowd and introduced the dynamic Emcee for the day, LindaKay Abdulian, who was the commentator for the first children’s fashion show in 1997. This year, the AMAA’s Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian delivered a moving devotional and prayer and gave a brief history of the ladies who first started the Committee.
The flowers, generously donated by Zareh David Ghoukasian of David Z Design, were breathtaking! And this year’s Silent Auction was spectacular with more than 150 items to bid on! Nicole Nishanian, Silent Auction Chair, procured many amazing items, including several designer handbags, lots of beautiful jewelry, and much, much more. There were many opportunities to help the needy children by sponsoring a child, purchasing food or clothing for a year, or by purchasing a Bible for the children to read. This effort was coordinated by Maro Yacoubian and Tina Segel, who organized the child sponsorship table and encouraged everyone to make a difference in the life of a needy child in Armenia. Many children were sponsored at the Luncheon.
Joyce Stein, esteemed advisor and National Co-Chair of the Orphan and Child Care Committee, acknowledged the ladies who organized the first several children’s fashion shows. The first show was at the Hotel Sofitel with Christina Jabarian as Chair. The next several luncheons were chaired by LindaKay Abdulian and Michelle Shrikian. Joyce thanked them for all their years of hard work and effort!
Tina Segel created and introduced the video commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Child and Orphan Care Program. The video showed how many children and their families have been helped by the AMAA for many generations.
After lunch, as a special surprise before the Fashion Show, several children from the Dynamic Duo Dance Studio performed for the audience! This accomplished and very talented group of dancers was enjoyed by everyone. The children’s Fashion Show and dance performance was coordinated and introduced by Betty Balian. This year, the Fashion Show was sponsored and produced by Bloomingdale’s Sherman Oaks. The Bloomingdale’s Sherman Oak’s team, along with the Committee, worked tirelessly to make the Fashion Show a complete success and to make sure the presentation by more than fifty breathtaking children and teenagers in this year’s show was perfect and seamless. Christina Jabarian thanked Bloomingdale’s for its partnership and participation in this year’s event which was very much appreciated. This year, Aleen Oruncakciel coordinated the models and the fittings for the Fashion Show.
Finance and Reservations Chair Sandra Kalemkiarian, works tirelessly every year to efficiently close out the Auction. “We are grateful for the generous donations we received in celebration of our 25th Anniversary,” said Sandra.
The guests left the event with a bag full of goodies, including amazing lotions and nail care products donated by Jessica Vartoughian of Jessica Cosmetics, dried fruits donated by LindaKay Abdulian, cookies donated by Leslie Kevorkian, and jams, Panettoni and other items donated by Christine Zenjiryan! The children also received wonderful goodie bags.
In closing, Lori Muncherian and Arsine Phillips, West Coast Co-Chairs of the Committee, thanked the chairs, the entire Committee and all the donors for their continued support of this event for the children in Armenia. Many children in Armenia lack the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter. “We are trying to help change a child’s life and give hope for a better future one child at a time,” concluded Lori and Arsine.
Armenian Missionary Association of America 