December 7 marks the 20th anniversary of the Gyumri Earthquake. The 7.2 magnitude quake destroyed Spitak, and severely devastated Gyumri and its surrounding towns and villages, killing 25,000 people and leaving up to a million homeless.

The earthquake sent shockwaves throughout Armenia and her Diaspora, initiating one of the largest humanitarian efforts to Armenia. Although Gyumri was largely rebuilt, much remains to be done, as thousands of families affected by the quake continue to live in underprivileged circumstances.

Last summer, the Armenian Youth Federation’s Youth Corps division established a free day camp for underprivileged children in Gyumri’s. Camp Gyumri touched the lives of hundreds of children that summer and provided much needed assistance to many of Gyumri’s struggling families who have to grapple with economic and social challenges that continue to linger 20 years after the earthquake destroyed their homes.

Please help us mark this anniversary by joining us at the Orange County Armenian Center (5305 W. McFadden Santa Ana, CA) on Sunday, December 7 at 9 am for a benefit breakfast to raise funds for the AYF’s humanitarian operations in Gyumri. Donations will help fund the Armenian Youth Federation’s 2009 Youth Corps project in Gyumri, Armenia.

For more information on the fundraiser please visit the event’s facebook page.