LOS ANGELES, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) today praised the leadership of the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA (ARS-WR) in its efforts to raise monetary donations for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina following the flooding and devastation in the aftermath of the natural disaster in the Gulf Coast.

With the motto of “serving the humanitarian needs of all communities in the world,” the ARS has always been in the forefront of gathering aid for victims of devastation. Last January, after the Tsunami in South-East Asia, the ARS-WR was instrumental in the Armenian American community of the Western United States in raising funds for the survivors of the disaster.

“The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is too disastrous to describe, but we know that as concerned ARS members, supporters and community, all of us are ready to take responsibility to alleviate the suffering of fellow citizens in the Gulf States,” said Angela Savoian, Chair of the ARS-WR Regional Executive.

The ARS-WR plans to send the money they raise to the schools in the southern states that have accepted to take in the displaced children. These schools, some of which are already under funded, need the financial support in order to keep the schools open and operating.

The ARS-WR will also send a portion of the donations to the local Armenian American community in Louisiana that was affected by Hurricane Katrina. Currently, there are 23 families that are taking refuge in the local, and recently built, Armenian Church. The homes of 21 of these 23 Armenian families are completely uninhabitable and will need to be completely rebuilt.

With the realization that thousands of survivors are displaced, homeless and jobless along the Gulf coast, the ARS-WR has worked and will continue to work tirelessly in hopes of raising as much money as possible. They strongly believe that the Armenian American community, who has felt the impact of natural disasters, whether in Northridge or Armenia, will unite in its efforts to support their neighbors in the Gulf Coast region.

If you would like to donate to the ARS-WR Katrina Fund, you can visit arswestusa.org or send donations to 517 West Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202. Please make the checks payable to ARS Katrina Fund. If you would like more information about the organization’s efforts, visit the website or call (818) 500-1343.

The ARS is an independent, non-governmental and non-sectarian organization with affiliate entities in 24 different countries serving the social and educational needs of Armenian communities everywhere, seeking to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian nation, and to bring humanitarian help to all communities in distress — Armenian and non-Armenian alike.

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.