Vahan Lodge#44, Raises Funds to Support the Fuller Center

The Knights of Vartan Vahan Lodge #44, Orange County California, recently completed a fundraising activity specifically for the purpose of making a contribution to the mission of the Fuller Center for Housing in Armenia. The fundraising activity, a raffle with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, culminated in a raffle drawing held on May 3, in the presence of a large majority of the Vahan Lodge Tivan members, including Commander Anton Markarian; of course, all were fully compliant with social distancing criteria and personal health safety guidelines!

Raffle ticket sales started at the December 2019 Christmas party; at that time, the raffle drawing was planned for a joint Otyag/Lodge Valentine’s Day celebration. Due in large part to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on large group gatherings, the raffle drawing had to be postponed twice, until the decision was made to hold it in May, in the presence of a very small group. Despite the rough patches along the way, the outcome was fruitful in that Vahan Lodge was able to raise sufficient funds to sponsor a home renovation project; thus, supporting the Fuller Center’s work in community development in the Republic of Armenia by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent, and affordable homes as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action.

The fundraiser was authorized by the Vahan Lodge Tivan, and the raffle preparations were chaired by Lt. Commander Haig Balian. Many of our Asbed Brothers, Otyag Sisters, friends, family members, and others in the community supported the effort by helping in the preparations, and by purchasing or selling raffle tickets. As a result of these collective efforts, including Treasurer Brian Der Matoian’s meticulous and timely accounting, the Lodge achieved its original goal and mailed a check to the Fuller Center on May 5.

Submitted by Vahan Lodge #44, Orange County, CA