Nappies Collection a Huge Success!

SOCIETY FOR ORPHANED ARMENIAN RELIEF (SOAR)
1060 First Avenue, Suite 400, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Office: 610.213.3452   Fax: 610.229.5168 
Email: gyacoubian@soar-us.org   Web: www.soar-us.org

Nappies Collection a Resounding Success!

The Nappies for Nork fundraiser, organized and coordinated by Viviane Martini, was a giant success.  In just two weeks, $11,000 was raised to provide diapers for the children at Nork Orphanage.  From giving three dollars to keep a child dry for a single day to four figure donations, so many opened their hearts to make a difference, one clean bottom at a time.

To everyone who contributed (whether cash toward diapers or items for the raffle) and who spread the word, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  When Viviane sat at her desk three weeks ago looking for a way to help, she hoped to raise $1,000.  Now, around 38,000 diapers will be available for these precious children. 

What do 38,000 diapers look like?  Well, a folded Pampers is about 1/2 inch thick, so 38,000 of them stack to approximately 1,500 feet, which is how far you'd walk to get from Yerevan's Cascade Complex to the Opera House.

Details and pictures of the diaper delivery we will available beginning early May.  Given the level of generosity, the diaper distribution will be expanded to Mari Izmirlyan Orphanage.  Viviane's son Rex was adopted from Nork, but some of the children who lived at Nork with Rex have since moved to Mari Izmirlyan, so her love stretches to this orphanage.  Mari Izmirlyan serves many children with medical and developmental special needs, some of whom continue to require diapers well past their sixth birthdays.

Again, thank you to everyone who was inspired by Viviane to help in this special endeavor.  Your generosity and support exceeded our wildest dreams!

SOAR & Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc -North Carolina Wine Tasting To Support Armenian Orphans

Music to Madness - the Story of Komitas" to Benefit SOAR

"Music to Madness - the Story of Komitas" to Benefit SOAR

A new film, "Music to Madness - the Story of Komitas," about the life of Komitas, the famous Armenian priest and musical composer who was an orphan and who suffered tragically during the Armenian Genocide, is nearing completion.  To complete the film, a fundraising campaign has just launched on Indiegogo.  Details about "Music to Madness - the Story of Komitas," including a trailer and Reward Perks for financial contributions, are provided on Indiegogo. 

ALL net revenues from the sale and distribution of the film will go to SOAR. 

Please consider helping with the fundraising campaign, not only through a financial contribution, but also by spreading the word (email, phone, social networking) about the film.  This is your opportunity to help tell the world about Komitas and the Armenian Genocide and to help Armenian orphaned children throughout the world.

Thank you in advance for your support!

The Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenian children and adults. Working with a loyal donor base and a trusted network of partners, SOAR distributes clothing, educational supplies, medicine, and other essential resources to orphaned Armenians throughout the world.

SOCIETY FOR ORPHANED ARMENIAN RELIEF (SOAR)
1060 First Avenue, Suite 400, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Office: 610.213.3452   Fax: 610.229.5168 
Email: gyacoubian@soar-us.org   Web: www.soar-us.org

Hopscotch Adoptions' Armenian Children's Reunion 2013

On Saturday, August 3, 2013, a reunion was held in Lancaster County (PA) for families who had adopted children from Armenia through Hopscotch Adoptions.  As the Executive Board President of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR), a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenian children throughout the world, and the father of a child adopted from Armenia, I was invited to attend.  

On Saturday, SOAR participated in the festivities by creating Armenian name tags for the attendees, providing Armenian coloring books donated by the Armenian Sisters Academy, and teaching the children several Armenian songs and dances.  I was able to answer questions about SOAR and, most humbly, was able to meet many SOAR supporters in person for the first time.

The reunion was a wonderful opportunity to interact with other parents of adopted Armenian children and to share a multitude of experiences. What bonds us all is the country itself that provided us a special part of our family and the desire to perpetuate the Armenian culture through food, literature, language, and the arts.  My girls had a wonderful time, and my middle daughter, Sophie, took with her Armenian currency to give to a new friend.  Josie D. was the lucky lady.  The perfect example of how in any environment Armenian children can bond and become friends.

George S. Yacoubian, Jr.,
SOAR Executive Board President

Summer Camp Program Underway!

This summer, SOAR will be assisting THREE distinct summer camps: the Holy Cross Armenian Church of Javakh (Georgia); the Our Lady of Armenia (OLA) Center Summer Day Camp (Tsaghgadzor, Armenia); and The Voice of the Armenian Church (VOTAC) Orphan Summer Camp (Tsaghgadzor, Armenia).

The Javakh Camp serves approximately 250 social orphans living at or below poverty level in the nearby villages. The Camp was created to get these children off the streets during the summer and into a safe, clean, fun, and spiritual environment.

The OLA Camp strengthens the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of approximately 850 very disadvantaged boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 15. The Camp draws from orphanages across Armenia and provides a wide range of athletic, cultural, spiritual, and social activities.

The VOTAC Camp is held every July for eight days, hosting approximately 50 orphaned boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 16.  The overarching goal of the Camp is to "create" a big family where the children will experience comfort, love, and compassion while instilling in them the history of the Armenian Church.

We are offering the following five sponsorship levels with the goal of providing significant financial assistance to the Camps:

Sponsorship Level

Donation

Platinum: $5,000
Gold: $2,500
Silver: $1,000
Bronze: $500
Patron: $100

All sponsors will receive acknowledgment on the SOAR web site and their names engraved on a dedication plaque at each Camp. As you consider a donation amount, please remember that the Camps help develop positive social skills and attitudes, such as responsibility, honesty, self-reliance, and self-confidence. Many participants return to their regular lives enriched spiritually, intellectually, and physically and ready to share their new attitudes with family and friends.

Donations can be made by check (mailed to the above address) or via PayPal (designate National) at www.soar-us.org. If you have any questions, please contact George S. Yacoubian, Jr., at gyacoubian@soar-us.org or 610.213.3452.

SOAR and the Orphaned Armenian Summer Camps thank you for your generosity!

SOCIETY FOR ORPHANED ARMENIAN RELIEF (SOAR)

1060 First Avenue, Suite 400, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Office: 610.213.3452   Fax: 610.229.5168 
Email: gyacoubian@soar-us.org   Web: www.soar-us.org

Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief – Los Angeles Chapter (SOAR-LA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnPIv7A3zRo
http://www.facebook.com/bared.maronian


http://www.valleypbs.org/events/orphans_genocide.php
http://www.armenoidteam.com
 
Contact Armenoid Productions at 954-646-0944 or director, Bared Maronian at bared.maronian@gmail.com

Reposted with permission from Bared Maronian. 

Emergency Request from Sisters of Charity (SOC)-Bethlehem

Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) 1060 First Avenue, Suite 400, King of Prussia, PA 19406 USA  Phone: 610.213.3452   Fax: 610.229.5168 Email: gyacoubian@soar-us.org   Web: www.soar-us.org Emergency Request from Sisters of Charity (SOC)-Bethlehem The Sisters of Charity (SOC) is a Catholic religious order established by Mother Teresa to tend to "the poorest of the poor." SOC-Bethlehem is a private orphanage in Yerevan that houses approximately 15 children with severe physical and mental disabilities. Late last week, SOAR received an emergency request from SOC-Bethlehem for medical equipment. Until now, SOAR has never received an unsolicited request from SOC. Specifically, SOC has requested two (2) Rover Strollers and three (3) Floor Sitters. The Strollers are built for both indoor and outdoor transport, while the Floor Sitters keep the children in upright positions for floor activities. The total cost, including shipping to Yerevan, is $6,500.00. If you would like to contribute to our collection for Sisters of Charity, please call 610.213.3452. SOC-Bethlehem and SOAR thank you in advance for your generosity! The Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenian children.  Working with a loyal donor base and a trusted network of partners, SOAR distributes clothing, educational supplies, medicine, and other essential resources to orphaned Armenian children throughout the world.