GLENDALE, CA – Community leaders, organizational representatives, activists and benefactors were among over 100 people in attendance at the 2005 Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) pre-Banquet kick-off event held at the home of Ara and Sandy Bedrosian on Friday, July 22nd. The kick-off event nearly sold out the banquet, with close to 500 tickets sold and over $200,000 raised prior to the actual banquet to be held on September 18th.

Mr. and Mrs. Bedrosian, who graciously hosted the kick-off event, began the evening’s program by welcoming guests to their home and thanking those in attendance. They shared with the attendees many of the ANCA-WR’s accomplishments and initiated the fundraising event by pledging a $5,000 table on behalf of their family and an additional $5,000 table on behalf of Sandy Bedrosian’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Antranik Kassabian.

Mr. and Mrs. Khatchig Mouradian made a dramatic announcement at the kick-off event, sharing that they will underwrite the entire cost of the banquet by pledging an amount of $40,000. This set a new precedent by allowing for all the banquet proceeds to support the ANCA-WR’s programs and activities. The generous offer led ANCA-WR Chairman Steve Dadaian to remark, that “the Mouradians’ generosity is matched only by their unparalleled patriotism and dedication to the Armenian Cause. I salute their leadership and solidarity with the ANCA.”

Also among the top donors at the banquet kick-off event was philanthropist and long-time ANCA-WR supporter Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian. She made a generous pledge of $20,000, which is among the largest donations ever received by the ANCA-WR. This was followed by longtime ANCA-WR sponsor, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Melkonian who pledged to donate $15,000, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis Sepetjian who pledged $10,000 and Mr. Berdj Shahbazian who pledged $5,000.

“The ANCA-WR has for decades earned the trust of the community,” commented ANCA-WR Chairman Steve Dadaian. “Our organization’s track-record of achievements over the past year speaks for itself. Whether we are educating Members of Congress in Washington, legislators in Sacramento, or working with our 17 local ANC chapters to expand awareness of the Armenian Genocide, the ANCA-WR is always there for our community,” added Dadaian.

Banquet Committee Chairwoman Aida Dimejian updated the attendees at the kick-off event on the details of the annual gala, which will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood on September 18, 2005. The banquet, Dimejian explained, has become a marquee event, drawing the attendance of prominent national, state and local public officials and activists.

Over 600 people are expected to attend this year’s ANCA-WR Annual Banquet. Unfortunately, due to limited space, the event is expected to sell-out in a matter of days. Those interested in attending the banquet may contact the ANCA-WR office at (818) 500-1918 to reserve a table. A press release will be issued shortly announcing this year’s honorees at the 2005 ANCA-WR banquet.

The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.