More than $2.2 million was raised at the 2nd Annual Armenian American Museum Gala at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Hundreds of supporters, community leaders, and public officials attended the signature event of the year to celebrate and support the landmark project as it approaches its historic groundbreaking year. The gala was held on Sunday, December 8.
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Executive Director Shant Sahakian inspired the audience with moving remarks on the importance of building the Armenian American Museum for the next generation. During his remarks, he told the story of a young girl’s transformative experience walking through the halls of the museum and he quoted Nelson Henderson, who once wrote, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
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“We are building the Armenian American Museum for her, for them, for their generation, and for the generations to come. Thank you for joining us this evening and thank you for planting the trees for our next generation,” stated Executive Director Shant Sahakian in the conclusion of his remarks.
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Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian acknowledged the museum leadership, staff, committee members, volunteers, benefactors, sponsors, donors, and supporters who have generously contributed to the success of the museum project and 2nd Annual Gala. He also thanked the Founder’s Circle, the founding benefactors of the museum, and the Legacy Council – transformative benefactors who are advancing the mission of the museum.
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“As we gather here this evening on this special occasion, a dream, our collective dream, is now on the eve of its historic groundbreaking year in 2020,” stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian in the introduction of his remarks.
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During his acknowledgements, he announced major gifts from benefactors including a $100,000 contribution from Mr. Chris Pogosyan, $250,000 contribution from Mr. & Mrs. Vartan and Janet Barsoumian, and $250,000 contribution from Mr. & Mrs. Bedros and Anna Oruncakciel.
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California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino expressed his excitement for the promise of the cultural and educational center as it heads towards its historic groundbreaking year and acknowledged Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2019 to 2020 state budget, which included $5 million in funding for the project.
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U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, the co-author of House Resolution 296 Affirming the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide, expressed his support for the museum as a place where people of all backgrounds can learn about the rich contributions of the Armenian American community.
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Republic of Armenia High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan discussed how the museum embodies an exceptional expression of hope and preservation of Armenian identity that will help strengthen both the Diaspora and reinforce the Republic of Armenia’s future.
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In his closing remarks, Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian invited the Board of Trustees and Gala Committee to the stage to thank the donors who generously contributed to the project during the evening’s dinner. Together with the leadership of the organization and the committee members who helped make the event possible, he announced that the museum had successfully raised more than $2.2 million at the 2nd Annual Gala to a roaring applause.
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H/T Asbarez
$2.2 Million Raised at 2nd Annual Armenian American Museum Gala.
