LOS ANGELES—The Armenian Relief Society of Western USA’s Gala 2017 gathered nearly 400 members and supporters on Friday, February 3 at Taglyan Cultural Complex. The elegant evening featured an entertaining program combined with live entertainment by the Allen G. Orchestra.
In attendance at this major event were Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian; ARS Central Executive Vice-Chairperson Nyree Derderian, Secretary Rita Hintlian and Advisor Maral Matossian; ARF Central Committee Representative Garo Ispendjian; Armenian National Committee – Western Region Chairperson Nora Hovsepian and Executive Director Elen Asatryan; Hamazkayin Regional Executive Chairperson Manoug Choukhadjian; Homenetmen Regional Executive member Aram Yermian; California State Senator Anthony Portantino; Glendale City Councilmembers Zareh Sinanyan and Vartan Gharpetian; Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian; Glendale Unified School District Board President Dr. Armine Gharpetian; Vice-President of the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees Dr. Armine Hacopian, as well as representatives of various other organizations.
A silent auction took place during an intimate, pre-dinner cocktail hour as the organization’s newly revamped website was also on display for guests. The evening’s official program commenced with the singing of the Armenian, American, and ARS anthems by tenor Raffi Kerbabian, accompanied by pianist Hovsep Torossian.
Christine Hovnanian, ARS Gala Organizing Committee Chairperson, delivered welcoming remarks and reflected that in the same spirit that His Holiness Aram I has proclaimed 2017 as “The Year of Renewal,â€
