A Call to Action from KDV for Artsakh

A Call to Action from Grand Commander Hunan Arshakian and Grand Chairwoman Gloria Korkoian

We are facing serious challenges as we, who are safe and secure in the United States, witness the blockade of Artsakh. In 1916, the Knights of Vartan was formed to assisted the survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Now 106 years later, our brothers and sisters in Artsakh are in dire straits. Over 120,000 people are in this land blockade without access to the outside world.

This means no access to food and medical supplies. For two weeks, they had no access to gas to heat their homes or cook. The gas was restored. As of this writing, they still have food supplies, which are dwindling. When the blockade is lifted, they will need humanitarian aid – medical supplies, food and other provisions.

A Call to Action Committee was established by NS Garry Javizian and the Nakhgin Avak Sbarabeds of Nareg-Shavarshan Tahlij #6 – NAS Vahram Fantazian, NAS Simon Javizian, NAS Edward Korkoian and NAS Dr. Gary Zamanigian, along with Avak Dirouhie Gloria Korkoian, Avak Sbarabed Hunan Arshakian and Avak Ter Sbarabed Levon Thorose.  They have been meeting for a few weeks and the time has come to take action.

WE NEED TO ACT NOW. We are asking all our Knights and Daughters of Vartan Leadership and our entire membership to raise funds for Humanitarian Aid for Artsakh. Please make this Call to Action your Lodges and Chapters priority. This supersedes all your other fundraising, which can resume once we help our brothers and sisters in Artsakh. The donations are to be sent to the KoV Charities, Inc., which is a 501C3 maintained by the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Vartan. Please make your donation to the KoV Charities, Inc. and write in the memo section Artsakh Relief.

Mail your donation to the KoV Grand Treasurer,

Mr. Ronald Nazeley

6558 Kentwood Bluffs Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90045.

Or use the PayPal link and donate on line now.

When the funds are transferred from the KoV Charities, Inc., they will be sent to a trusted 501C3 partner in Armenia. We will assure that all the funds we raise will go for humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters in Artsakh.

While we are raising funds for Humanitarian Aid, the Committee will be working in parallel on identification of trusted Partners in Armenia and Artsakh, logistics for staging the supplies in containers in Armenia and Artsakh and distribution of the supplies in Artsakh. It is huge undertaking, which the Knights and Daughters of Vartan are willing to take with the support of our entire membership. We need you to reach out, not only to your membership, but to your families, friends and Armenian community. Together we can make a difference.

Attached is a Fact Sheet that will help you explain what we are doing and why we are doing it. Remember our mission is to safeguard our Armenian Church, Culture and History and to assist all our brothers and sisters in need. Can we count on you to help today?

Fraternally,                                                                

Grand Commander Hunan Arshakian          

With sisterly love,

Grand Chairwoman Gloria Korkoian