GLENDALE—For the past two months, the AYF’s ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign has been actively fundraising and distributing financial assistance to the families of fallen soldiers in Armenia and Artsakh. In the spirit of accountability, the campaign has provided periodic updates to the community on its fundraising efforts and the work done on the ground in Armenia.
The task force, appointed by the AYF Central Executive to administer the campaign, has published a report on its progress during the past two months. According to the information provided by the WOS initiative, as of June 30, 2016, the task force has raised over $105,000 and provided assistance to the families of 63 fallen soldiers in Armenia and Artsakh. As a reminder, the campaign allocates a $1,000 payment to each family and an additional $250 for each child of a fallen serviceman.
The breakdown of the numbers of families reached in each region of Armenia and Artsakh is included below:
- In Armenia, a total of 39 families of fallen soldiers were assisted, with the following breakdown: Armavir (7 families), Yerevan (7), Gegharkunik (6), Kotayk (6), Ararat (5), Shirak (4), Lori (3), and Aragastotn (1)
- In Artsakh, a total of 24 families of fallen soldiers were assisted, with the following breakdown: Hadrut (9), Stepanakert (6), Martuni (3), Martakert (2), Shushi (2), Kashatagh (1), Askeran (1)
- A total of $76,500 has been distributed in aid as of June 30, 2016, with $33,000 allocated to families in Artsakh and the remaining $43,500 in Armenia.
As of July 4th, funds were being allocated to another 13 families in the Syunik province of Armenia. A total of $14,500 has been earmarked for the families of soldiers and volunteers from this region, who were killed during the Four Day War.
In addition to the monetary assistance provided to the families of fallen soldiers, the AYF’s ‘With Our Soldiers’ initiative has also coordinated the shipment of $480,000 worth of supplies and medication for the wounded soldiers and servicemen protecting Artsakh. The breakdown of those items is provided below:
Medication – $160,000
Wheelchairs/Mobility-related items – $100,000
Sleeping bags – $80,000 (totaling 2,000 sleeping bags made in the US)
First Aid Materials – $30,000
Other Supplies – $80,000
In addition, a $30,000 donation was secured through the Carolan Foundation, which was directed toward securing 2,000 more sleeping bags manufactured by Desi LLC located in Echmiadzin (Vagharshapat), Armenia.
The ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign expresses its gratitude to all of our donors and sponsors for their contributions and commitment to our brave servicemen defending Artsakh and the families of our fallen heroes. Special thanks go to Global USA Shipping Company, Universal Service Exchange Inc, the owner of Olympic Pharmacy Hakob Basmajyan and San Francisco-based businessman Erik Marutian for the key role they played in making the delivery of vital supplies to Armenia and Artsakh a reality.
Additionally, the task force is appealing to Armenian-Americans urging them to make monetary contributions and donations of goods to the campaign (see flyer below for details). Donations can be made online, at www.withoursoldiers.com, or by check, payable to the Armenian Youth Federation (mail to 104 N. Belmont St. #313, Glendale, CA 91204). We remain confident that with continuous support from our friends and our community, we will be able to reach out to the remaining families of our fallen soldiers and provide the necessary aid to our wounded servicemen.
The AYF’s ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign, originally launched in 2012, was restarted in the aftermath of the Four Day War with the aim of providing assistance to the families of the fallen soldiers. To learn more about the campaign or to make a donation today, you can visit www.withoursoldiers.com.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the world, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian youth.
Source: Asbarez
Link: AYF’s ‘With Our Soldiers’ Campaign Reports to Community on Progress