In the coming weeks, our homes will warm, our tables will fill, our trees will sparkle, and our hearts will flush. It’s Christmastime, after all. We have come to cherish and welcome this wonderful winter tradition with its day-long face-off with family, food, and fun.
Lav e, payts.
The but is that for so many of our sisters and brothers in Syria and Lebanon, their New Years and Christmas will look and feel very different than the ones we will enjoy. So much of what counts most in life has recently been taken from our compatriots. The good thing is that it’s very easy for us to fill the gaps between their despair and their happiness. Let’s give, let’s all give!
Let’s together share with those who are not asking for any hand-outs, but who are most deserving of your generosity. In lieu of a gift to a known loved-one here, consider donating to an unknown loved-one there.
As if 2020-2023 were not enough for Artsakh and Armenia, 2024 has forced upon the Armenian people, especially on our brethren in the Middle East, an ever changing and challenging world, an unenviable reality which sometimes tests the faith and devotion of the Armenian Diaspora.
Once again, the geopolitical landscape in the region has aligned to the detriment of our people. Global and regional powers are advancing their interests at the expense of innocent civilians including thousands of Armenian families.
Turkey remains one of those regional players advancing its expansionist policies once again with complete disregard for human life, just as it did during the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and again during the past few years in Artsakh.
Ask any of your mothers and fathers, your grandmothers and grandfathers if you’re lucky to still have them, ask yourselves even, and you’ll soon be reminded of what you already know. We keep our own!
This year, let our first and last gifts be to our fellow countrymen in Syria and Lebanon. Unfortunately, war-like conditions in both countries have created serious humanitarian and economic crises and renewed dangers placing our long-standing Armenian communities there in great peril.
In this harsh reality, it is incumbent upon each of us as members of the great Armenian nation to once again rally and rise to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Syria and Lebanon by contributing to fundraising efforts providing essential assistance. We welcome the efforts of all organizations, institutions and individuals who truly help the Armenian communities there during their time of need.
We support the Armenian Relief Society’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Armenian populations in Syria and Lebanon.
We call on our community to:
- Contribute and support ARF/ACF and ARS chapters and regional fundraising efforts for this noble cause of providing humanitarian assistance.
- Take action in support of ANCA’s efforts to garner US support and humanitarian assistance for the innocent civilian populations.
ARF Western U.S. Central Committee
December 6, 2024
