Gyumri, Armenia— Just prior to Christmas, 2012 the Poghosyan family’s makeshift home—commonly known as a “domik” caught fire and burnt. Homeless and struggling from their loss, the family and their six children moved into yet another domik. The Paros Foundation, through its “Purchase a Home” project, part of its 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, launched an effort to solve the Poghosyan family’s housing needs. In early December 2013, the family was presented with keys to their new apartment thanks to the generous sponsorship of California donors, who simply want to be referred to as Nejde & Lilit.

“We first met the Poghosyan family during the implementation of our Gyumri Winter Rescue project in January 2013.” Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “It was hard to imagine what this family had gone through, and we quickly committed to figuring out what we could do to help.”

Learning of the plight of the Poghosyan family and wanting to help, Nejde & Lilit committed to the necessary funds and the search for a new apartment for the Poghosyan family began. Within several weeks, the transaction was complete and the family moved into their new apartment.

Throughout the process, our Gyumri Partner, Vahan Tumasyan, Executive Director of The Shirak Center, worked closely with our Armenia based Staff and spearheaded the effort to identify and help relocate the family.

The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses to allow 100% of sponsor contributions to be allocated towards the purchase the Poghosyan family’s home.

Today, almost 4,000 families in Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city, still live in these unsafe, and extreme conditions, taking shelter in dilapidated buildings and in the rusted remains of overseas shipping containers. Some, left homeless following the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, and other, simple victims of extreme poverty are left with little alternative than to live in these inhuman conditions.

The Paros Foundation and the Poghosyan express our deepest appreciation to Nejde & Lilit for making this miracle happen.

The Paros Foundation remains committed to helping alleviate this human suffering through its “Purchase a Home” project. To sponsor this or another Paros 100 for 100 project, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

YEREVAN, Armenia—Share-a-Pair, a project of The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity distributed more than 50,000 shoes to children in need in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh this year.

“In its third year, Share-a-Pair has successfully distributed more than 75,000 pairs of new shoes and almost 1,000 pairs of warm winter boots to children in need,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation. “This has been particularly exciting because we have been able to engage hundreds of volunteers from around the world during our various distributions.”

In 2013, shoes were distributed to children in need, in more than 90 rural communities. Distributions were also made to children in boarding schools, kindergartens, orphanages and through other non governmental children’s organizations.

Helping meet the need of an impoverished child with a well-fitting pair of new shoes appropriate for school or play, improves their health and development. New shoes are costly and often times poise a financial hardship for parents of multiple children. Throughout the process, both children and their parents expressed their thanks for this bit of relief.

Through our partially funded Healthy Teeth Project, dental hygiene products were distributed to almost 2,000 children in select rural communities. SERVICE-Armenia 2013 participants both distributed the products and provided instruction on their proper usage.
Our partner, Focus on Children Now spearheaded shoe distributions throughout needy communities in Nagorno Karabakh. Ambassador John Heffern, US Ambassador to Armenia and the US Embassy’s Helping Hands group joined with our SERVICE Armenia 2013 Participants to distribution shoes to children in rural communities.

The Paros Foundation expresses its sincere appreciation to the donors, the Unison, NGO supporting people with special needs, Focus on children now, Ambassador John Heffern, the Helping Hands group at the US Embassy in Armenia, the Paros Foundation’s SERVICE Armenia 2013 participants and all the other volunteers that joined this important effort.

Share-a-Pair’s Operation Winter Boots continues to accept donations. A $20 contribution will provide a child in need a new pair of warm winter boots. The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing 100% of donor contributions to go directly to this project. To sponsor a project of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, please visit www.parosfoundation.org.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

 

SAN FRANCISCO — On November 16,
2013, the Paros Foundation’s Bay Area Committee held a successful Wine Tasting Event to raise funds for the reconstruction of the medical center in the village of Kurtan in Armenia’s Lori Region.

“Medical care in Armenia’s rural villages is in a dire condition and is in need of substantial investments for improvement,” said Bay Area Paros Committee Member, Susanna Cogswell. The residents of the village of Kurtan have no choice, but to depend this medical center for all of their family’s health care needs. Unfortunately, the center is in deplorable condition and is in need of a new roof, new windows and doors, a bathroom and a heating system.

An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the beautiful San Francisco home of Drs. Donald and Martha Missirlian to sample a variety of excellent wines paired with delicious food. Sommelier Michael Perry trained and led a team of Sommeliers to inform guests of the nuances of the various wines and sample throughout the evening. Paros Committee Members Valina Agbabian, Susanna Cogswell, Rita Kablanian, Martha Missirlian, Wendi Moradian and Julie Strauch prepared the evenings cuisine and created a delightful atmosphere in which guests could enjoy themselves while learning more about the Paros Foundation’s projects and help fund the Kurtan project.

Cogswell added, “The best way to determine which projects are in the most need is to simply visit the Paros 100 for 100 website (www.parosfoundation.org), which is exactly what happened when Rick and Wendy Moradian decided to make a wine donation toward rebuilding the medical center in village of Kurtan. This triggered momentum for the Paros Bay Area Committee to rally around this initiative and organize a wine event and auction. We were able to raise the necessary funds to fully support the renovation of the medical center. It was a fun, exhilarating and rewarding experience.”

Paros Foundation Founder and Chairman, Roger Strauch was in attendance and offered his vision for the Foundation’s approach and work in Armenia. Peter Abajian, Executive Director discussed the Paros 100 for 100 initiative and specifics on several projects in need of sponsorship including the Kurtan village’s medical center. At the conclusion of the evening, Abajian announced that more than $18,000 was raised throughout the event and that renovation on the Kurtan medical center would begin in the spring.

“I would like to extend our appreciation to the Paros Foundation’s Bay Area Committee, our Sommeliers and all the guests and donors that attended and contributed. Your hard work and generosity will make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people in the village of Kurtan,” said Peter Abajian.

For more information about the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, or to sponsor a project, please visit www.paros-foundation.org. The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be allocated 100% to the project. Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

San Francisco, CA—Recently, two new pianos were donated to the Kanakeravan Art School by the St. Johns Armenian Church parishioners and their Sayat Nova Cultural Committee.

In honor of the first year Anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Father Mesrob Ash, the Church held a Gala Concert with proceeds benefiting the purchase of two new pianos for the Art School in the village of Kanakeravan in Armenia’s Kotayk region.  This project was selected by the Sayat Nova Cultural Committee Members through The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity list of projects.

“Students in the village of Kanakeravan were studying piano on instruments that were in terrible condition.”  Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation; “This is the second project we were able to successfully implement at this music school thanks to the support of our generous donors and friends.”

To both the excitement of the students and teachers the new pianos were identified, purchased and delivered to the school prior to the start of the 2013-14 school year. The Paros Foundation expresses its deepest appreciation to the St. Johns Armenian Church parishioners, the Sayat Nova Cultural Committee and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Ash for working to ensure the success of this important project.

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.
Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

TARZANA, CA—The Tognozzi Family of Tarzana, California has recently established the Marc Tognozzi Memorial Fund through The Paros Foundation to memorialize the untimely passing of their son Marc to benefit charitable projects in Armenia.

“With the creation of the Fund in Marc’s memory, I am hoping to be able to fund projects through The Paros Foundation that fall within my son’s passion for children, education and his love of Armenia.” Said Marc’s mother, Esther (Chelebian) Tognozzi.

The Fund has already allocated support to several of The Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 projects for prosperity to recognize the upcoming centennial of the Armenian Genocide.  Through the Adopt-a-Classroom project, a classroom in the village of Hatsik in Armenia’s Armavir Region was completely remodeled including new doors and windows, window blinds, electrical upgrades, flooring, paint, chalkboards and desks for the children in memory of Marc.  In addition, via the Keep Warm initiative, more than 50 families living in extreme poverty in Armenia’s Shirak Region will receive a one-month allocation of firewood for heating and cooking.  Finally through the Share-a-Pair Winter Boots project, more than 400 needy children will receive warm winter boots this year.

Marc Antony Tognozzi was born and baptized to Jan and Esther (Chelebian) Tognozzi on April 27, 1985 in Tarzana, California.

Marc enthusiastically celebrated his Italian and Armenian ancestry with all the culture, traditions and cuisine of each. He enjoyed school, travel especially to Armenia and Kessab, outdoor adventure, camping, fishing, and working in the family business. At age 15 he completed the U.S Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program including a full coronation ceremony at the Coronado Naval Base in San Diego. Marc then joined the California Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol program and served dutifully at Southern California air show events as a uniformed cadet. By age 17 he also completed and earned many Boy Scout merits and badges as a member of the local Armenian chapter throughout his youth.
Marc Antony Tognozzi passed away abruptly at 28 years of age. Marc is survived by his mother and father, sisters Nyree and Danielle, and his beautiful fiancée Alina. Marc was the oldest of 12 grandchildren and the second oldest of his 11 first cousins. He remained closely bonded to his grandparents his four aunts and three uncles in his own perceptive way.

Donations to the Marc Tognozzi Memorial Fund are accepted online at parosfoundation.org/marc-tognozzi-fund. Or via mail to:  The Paros Foundation, 918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.  The Paros Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.  All contributions to The Paros Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur, Armenia—The Medical Center in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur, Tavush Region, was successfully renovated through The Paros Foundation.  This project, one of the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, was implemented through the generous sponsorship of Jean-Marie & Lori Atamian from New York.  The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses allowing their contribution to be spent 100% on the project.
The Medical Center, which is located within sniper range of the Azeri border, had a leaky roof, poor windows and doors and no heating system.  The Center also was short on needed medical and laboratory equipment.   While the Center functioned despite these shortcomings, it was difficult for them to meet their critical mission.

“This Medical Center provides daily medical care, vaccinations and evaluations for the 3,200 residents of this and the two neighboring villages.”  Said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the Paros Foundation, “Both the proximity to the border and the fact that this region is so isolated, makes this Medical Center’s success that much more important.”

The Center’s building, which was hit by enemy fire as recent as four months ago, was fitted with a new roof, new windows and doors and a new heating system.  Interior cosmetic improvements completed the renovation.  Needed equipment was also provided to the Center.  When possible, both local materials and labor were used to help stimulate the villages’ economy.

“We are quite pleased with the outcome of this project.  We are able to have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of people, and we were able to do it together as a family.”  Said Jean-Marie Atamian during the Atamian family’s visit on opening day.  “On behalf of our family, I would like to recognize The Paros Foundation and their team for the terrific work they did to complete this project.  I look forward to continuing our relationship into the future.”

A commemorative plaque now installed at the medical center reads:

In Memory of Bedros and Vartanoush Atamian from Adiaman, Tigranakert Province.
Bedros fought to defend our villagers and save our refugees so that Armenians could live freely on their lands. His heroism inspires all of us.

The Paros Foundation expresses its deepest appreciation to the Atamian family for their generous support of this project.  A video about this project can be viewed at here.

 

Honor Your Family by Sponsoring a Project Today!

Please consider sponsoring a project in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, through the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity, by visiting www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be spent 100% on the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  When in Armenia, The Paros Foundation’s staff will arrange a visit to and tour of your project.

Donations can be made online at www.parosfoundation.org via credit card or check made payable to: The Paros Foundation, and mailed to:  918 Parker Street, Suite A14, Berkeley, CA  94710.

Berkeley, CA—Since its official launch in October 2011, the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity has had a significant and meaningful positive impact on Armenia and her people.  This initiative, designed to provide the Armenian community with opportunities to recognize the upcoming centennial of the Armenian Genocide through implementing 100 special projects in Armenia, is on schedule to meet its goal of having these projects completed by the end of 2015.

100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity-Numbers of Significance:

• $0 from donor contributions has been spent on administrative expenses.
• 2 years remain to April 24, 2015.
• 18 months have passed since the Paros 100 for 100 initiative launch.
• 27 projects have been completed or are in progress.
• 71 people have been employed or temporarily received a salary as a result of Paros 100 for 100 Projects.
• 73 projects remain to be implemented to reach the goal.
• 150 cities, villages and towns have benefited from a project.
• 210 donors have contributed to a Paros 100 for 100 Project.
• 83,696 people have benefited from a Paros 100 for 100 Project.
• $116,932 in cash contributions has been received and spent on Paros 100 for 100 Projects so far.
• $750,270 is the value of in-kind contributions received including new shoes, dental supplies, computers and musical instruments.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of The Paros Foundation.  “We are eagerly working to identify new projects, advertise them on our website, and secure new potential project sponsors in order to effectively and efficiently implement these sponsored projects in Armenia.  During the first 18 months of this campaign, we significantly improved the lives of our brothers and sisters in Armenia with support of our generous donors.  As each one of these projects is sponsored and implemented, the memory of our ancestors is honored in a way that we believe is positive and appropriate.”

The Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity develops and administers projects throughout Armenia and Artsakh in four program categories:  Development, Education, Humanitarian and Cultural.  Please consider becoming a family sponsor of a project in memory of the Armenian Genocide by participating in the Paros Foundation’s 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity.  Visit www.parosfoundation.org.  The Paros Foundation underwrites all administrative expenses allowing all sponsor contributions to be allocated 100% to the project.  Donations to The Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 private foundation, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Formally launched in 2006, The Paros Foundation supports six exemplary local NGOs in Armenia with contributions of quality rent-free program space, operating funds and human resource support.  To honor the upcoming centennial of the Armenian Genocide, The Paros Foundation launched the Paros 100 for 100 Projects for Prosperity in October of 2011.  With an aggressive goal of identifying, vetting, fundraising for and ultimately implementing 100 special projects, The Paros Foundation and its staff in Armenia and the United States are quickly earning a reputation as the “go to” organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia.  For more information and to get involved visit www.parosfoundation.orgor call (310) 400-9061.