PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—On Sat., Oct. 12, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region Endowment Fund will host the 7th Annual ANCA-ER Banquet in Philadelphia. The banquet will begin with an elegant cocktail reception and silent auction at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and an awards ceremony at 8 p.m.
Zohrab Tazian
This year, the ANCA Eastern Region will honor critically acclaimed author Chris Bohjalian with its prestigious ANCA Freedom Award for outstanding contributions toward the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and for pursuing other issues of importance to the Armenian-American community.
The ANCA will also present Zohrab Tazian with the esteemed ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award, which honors activists who have exemplified the ideals of the founder of the Hai Tahd movement.
The event will take place in the heart of Philadelphia at the Hilton DoubleTree hotel, located at 237 S. Broad St. in Philadelphia. (Mention “ANCA Banquet” to secure the reduced rate of $149 per night.)
The largest annual fundraising event for the ANCA-ER will also feature a Banquet Kick-Off Party on Fri., Oct. 11, starting at 9 p.m. at Hip Philly, located at 1050 N. Hancock St. in Philadelphia.
Banquet co-chairs James Kzirian and Lorig Baronian, both active members of the Philadelphia community and members of the ANC of Pennsylvania, are working diligently to ensure the success of this annual fundraising event. “This is a fantastic event that truly showcases the activities and support throughout the ANCA Eastern Region. We are looking forward to a spectacular turnout on Oct. 12,” said Kzirian.
Chris Bohjalian
Since 2007, the ANCA Freedom Award has been presented to former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Samantha Power, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, the late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, former U. S. Senator Robert Dole, former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, and Baroness Caroline Cox.
Past recipients of the ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award include Vahe Amirian of New Jersey, Martha Aramian of Rhode Island, Bedros Bandazian of Virginia, Melanie Kerneklian of Virginia, Tatul Sonentz-Papazian of Massachusetts, Ruth Thomasian of Massachusetts, Stephen Dulgarian of Massachusetts, and Prof. Richard Hovannisian of California.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.anca.org/erbanquet or call James Kzirian at (267) 767-0453.
The ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization that supports the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region in outreach to Armenian-American communities.