Walk for Remembrance in Orange County

On Sunday, April 22nd, 2007, the Armenian National Committee of Orange County, in collaboration with the Armenian National Committee of America and over 20 community organizations, will hold its first annual Walk for Remembrance. The walk will be held in remembrance of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, increase awareness about crimes against humanity, and also serve as a fundraiser for ANCA, ANC-OC and participating community organizations. The Walk for Remembrance will bring together members of various local community organizations in a joint effort to raise awareness regarding the Armenian Genocide. The peaceful walk will take place through various central cities of Orange County, including Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley and Santa Ana. Participants will commit to walking approximately 7 miles from St. Mary Armenian Church 148 E. 22nd St. in Costa Mesa to Forty Martyrs Armenian Church 5315 W. McFadden Ave. in Santa Ana, both in remembrance of the lives lost during the Armenian Genocide, and to show their collective voice and solidarity in fighting against such crimes against humanity. The Walk will bring attention to the ongoing efforts of the ANCA to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution in Congress and help raise much needed funds for the ANC and important community organizations, said Garin Sarkissian, a member of the ANC-OC Executive Board. The entire community has come together to commemorate and to reaffirm our commitment to Hai Tad and the just resolution of the Armenian Cause. Participants of the walk should park at the Armenian center in the morning. Transportation will be provided to St. Mary Armenian Church between 10 am and 12 pm. Sunday services will be jointly conducted at St. Mary where there will be a hokehankisd for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Participants will also begin checking in at St. Mary at 12 noon, where T-Shirts will be provided to those who register. The walk will commence at 1 pm. Once the walkers arrive at Forty Martyrs Armenian church there will be refreshmen’s provided at the Armenian Center, and the outdoor community program will begin at 6 pm followed by a candlelight vigil. Individuals interested in participating in the walk can register online at www.ancoc.kintera.org/walkforremembrance. Registran’s can create a personalized page with their individual message and fundraising goal to send out to family, friends and colleagues. Visitors to the site can sponsor walkers or make individual donations, all via the secure website. This will be an opportunity to raise funds to benefit the ANCAs continuous work in Washington D.C., ANC-OC here in Orange County, and the local participating organization designated by the participant. This is a first for the Armenian community with registran’s being able to select from a list of participating organizations to receive 25% of their collected sponsorships, said Chris Guldjian, ANC-OC Executive Board Member. This is truly a united community commemorating its national day of remembrance. Participating organizations include: ANCA, ANC-OC, ANC Professional Network, Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School, Armenian Eyecare Project, ARF Badanegan “Aghpiur Serop” Chapters, ARF “Armen Karo” Committee, ARS “Karni” Chapter, ARS “Sevan” Chapter, AYF “Ashod Yergat” Chapter, Axis of Justice, Forty Martyr’s Armenian Church, Forty Martyrs Ladies Auxiliary,Forty Martyrs Youth Group, Homenetmen “Sardarabad” Chapter, Hamazkayin Orange County Chapter, St. Mary ACYO,St. Mary Armenian Church, St. Mary Ladies Society, St. Mary Sunday School, Whittier Law School Armenian Student Association, Zvartnots Dance Group. The Orange County chapter of the ANC has been active for over 25 years by securing the support of local and state representatives on national and local issues of concern to the Armenian-American community. ANC-OC focuses on developing working relationships with elected officials, encouraging young Armenian-Americans to get involved in politics, educating the public about the Armenian Genocide, creating a network for Armenian professionals, and presenting a truly united front on important political and social issues. For more information about ANC-OC please visit www.ancoc.org. For more information on upcoming events and how to get involved email ANC-OC at info@ancoc.org.