The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) hosted its 21st Annual Holiday Gala on December 14 at Cipriani’s in New York City, bringing together over 450 supporters for an elegant evening aimed at transforming lives in rural Armenia. The event raised over $7 million to fund education, healthcare, and community development programs for children and families in underserved regions of the country.
This year’s proceeds will sustain COAF’s programs through 2025 and support the construction of a new COAF SMART Center in the Armavir region. Modeled after the flagship SMART Center in Lori, the new facility will provide innovative educational programs to rural youth. Plans are also underway for two additional centers in the Syunik region. A key priority for 2025 will be integrating artificial intelligence into COAF’s curriculum, equipping students with essential skills to succeed in a technology-driven world.
The evening featured a distinguished lineup of guests and honorees. COAF Board Member and acclaimed actor Joe Manganiello, who was honored at last year’s gala, reflected on his life-changing pilgrimage to Armenia last spring. Succession actor Eric Bogosian presented the 2024 Cultural Advocacy Award to Karren Karagulian and Vache Tovmasyan, stars of the Golden Globe-nominated film Anora. The night also included a special appearance by actress Andrea Martin and a headline performance by music icon Gloria Gaynor.
This year’s Save a Generation Award honored longtime COAF Board members Shaké and Vahé Nahapetian for their enduring contributions. The evening also highlighted the story of Maksim Yervandyan, an 18-year-old Harvard undergraduate and COAF beneficiary, who shared an emotional message with attendees: “Tonight, I am living proof that your support transforms lives. Thank you for believing in us, and for your faith in what the future holds for my generation back home.”
The event was hosted by COAF Vice President of Development Haig Boyadjian and Araksya Karapetyan, anchor of KTTV FOX11’s Good Day LA. The night concluded with a live auction led by celebrity auctioneer Gabriel Butu, which inspired generous contributions from the audience.
COAF Founder Garo Armen reflected on the night’s success, stating, “For over two decades, our community’s unwavering commitment has driven remarkable impact, and this year’s gala reflects that dedication.”
COAF’s Executive Director Liana Ghaltaghchyan emphasized the broader vision, noting: “Our goal is to expand access to the opportunities in life that every child deserves. The generosity of our supporters brings us closer to making that vision a reality.”
For those unable to attend, there is still time to make a difference. Visit www.coaf.org to learn more about COAF’s transformative work and how you can contribute to shaping Armenia’s future.
About COAF
The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children in rural Armenia through a holistic approach to education, healthcare, social work, and economic development. COAF enhances access to essential services through state-of-the-art programs aimed at fostering learning, well-being, and creative discovery. COAF empowers young Armenians to expand their horizons and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
