NEW YORK, NY – The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region announced the honorees for its Vahan Cardashian Award to be presented at the Fifth Annual Banquet to take place Saturday, October 15, 2011. The ANCA Eastern Region will host the event at the Seaport Hotel and Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts

As a key part of the banquet’s awards program, the Vahan Cardashian Award will be presented to Stephen Dulgarian of Chelmsford, MA, who has dedicated a lifetime of activism to the ANC and the Armenian Cause and to Ruth Thomasian, Director of the Project Save Armenian Photograph Archives, who has selflessly served the community working with a broad spectrum of groups and individuals.

Stephen Dulgarian, affectionately known as Mr. D, has been a shining example of how local activism can make an enormous contribution to the efforts of the ANCA. He has worked extensively on the local level to bring issues of the ANCA to the forefront of our communities, has written numerous articles on the issues that affect the organization and its goals, and over many years has been an active advisor for the Armenian Youth Federation. “The contribution that Steve has made in his community is an example of how local activism works to promote the larger goals of the organization. We are so excited to recognize his many sacrifices and good work,” said ANCA Eastern Region Chairman Greg Bedian.

Ruth Thomasian founded the Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives in 1975 to preserve the fragmented heritage of the dispersed Armenian people through photographs and memories of life in historic Armenia. Project SAVE Archives’ principal mission is to collect, document, preserve, and present the photographic record of all Armenians. “The contribution that Ruth and Project Save make to the Armenian community is enormous and I am so excited that we will have the opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous work they do for our people and our survival,” said ANCA Banquet Chairman Joshua Tevekelian.

The Vahan Cardashian Award is given annually to an ANCA supporter who demonstrates longstanding dedication and active involvement in the Armenian-American community and its issues. The award is named for Yale-educated lawyer Vahan Cardashian who set aside his successful New York practice to dedicate himself to the establishment of the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia (ACIA), predecessor organization to the Armenian National Committee, and to advocate for the plight of the Armenian nation.

The 5th annual banquet will begin with a silent auction and cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and awards program at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the Banquet, please contact Joshua Tevekelian at (617) 926-9169 or visit the website www.anca.org/erbanquet