AGBU raises over 2 million USD for Lebanese-Armenians

YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. In the aftermath of the devastating explosion in Beirut that took placeless than aweek ago, AGBU Central Boardengaged in worldwide appeals for urgent contributionsto accelerate relief for Lebanese Armenianswith a designated relief fund.Immediate and generous support from across the globe resulted in over one million dollars raised over the weekend with both benefactors and grassroots donors rising to assist. The first millionwas doubled by a matching contribution fromChairmanof the AGBUCouncilof Trustees,Vatcheand Tamar Manoukian,with the additional commitment to match all subsequent funds generated in the coming weeks to this urgent effort, ARMENPRESS was informed from AGBU website.

Among the first large contributions received of $100,000 or more include: Elie and Elzbieta Akilian (USA), Yervant Demirjian (USA), Haig and Elsa Didizian (UK),Nigol Koulajian (USA),Levon and Claudia Nazarian, Joseph and Jenny Oughourlian (UK), Berge and Vera Setrakian (USA), Sam and Silva Simonian (USA), Sinan and Angele Sinanian (USA) and an anonymous donor (USA).

AGBU expresses gratitude to all of the benefactors as well as our remarkable grassroots donors, including young professionals and supporters from around the world.

“We have been impressed by the surge of impressive contributions in less than one week” noted AGBU President Berge Setrakian. “It is together that we can address the vast needs on the ground through our dedicatedvolunteer AGBU Disaster Relief Unit executing unprecedented work on the ground.”

AGBU is appealing to all Armenians worldwide to be a lifeline to their compatriots in Lebanon by donating quickly and generously to maximize the matching gift opportunity.

Due to thecurrentcomplications of regular checks in the mail, online or phone donations are appreciated.Learn more about the relief fund established at Citibank (NY) and the work it serves visit:www.agbugiving.org/lebanonor call 212-319-6383 (M-F, 9am to 5 pm EST). For wire transfers, emailgiving@agbu.org.