SANTA ANA, CA.- The 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA, Sevan Chapter, was held on March 25, 2023, at the Gugasian Hall of the Hovnanian Complex of Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church (Forty Martyrs) in Santa Ana, California. The event included attendance by surviving founding members, ARS Regional Executive’s recognition, 50-year meritorious service awards handed by the ARS Central Executive Board (CEB) and cake and candle-lighting ceremonies.
The program started with the national anthems of USA and Armenia, followed by the ARS anthem. Among the 220 attendees were Forty Martyrs parish priest Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, ARS CEB Chairperson Dr. Nyree Derderian, former ARS CEB Chairperson Hasmig Derderian, ARS Regional Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian, along with other board members and staff, ARF Western U.S.A. Central Committee member Zanku Armenian and Armen Karo Gomideh Chairman Garo Madenlian, Board Members, and representatives of sister organizations, including ARS Chapters, Hamazkayin Siamanto Chapter, Homenetmen Sartarabad Chapter, AYF Ashod Yergat Chapter, Forty Martyrs Board of Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary, Ari Guiragos Minassian School Board members, as well as representatives of Southern California Edison.
The opening remarks were made by Arpie Madenlian, mistress of ceremonies, she noted that she has been, “a proud member of the ARS Sevan Chapter since 1988, but if you were to ask most our Ungerouhis here, compared to them, I am still a “Rookie”… I was only about 5 years old when I recall groups of Armenians gathering at our Restaurant called “Armens” in Costa Mesa. At the time, it was one of only a few Armenian establishments in Orange County and it served as a “Hub” for the community members. Those social gatherings at Armens became the precursor for the establishment of our community in Orange County… Since its inception, the ARS Sevan Chapter has been true to its mission. It has supported the development of our community both financially and more importantly, morally. It has been the backbone of the Orange County Community, always “filling the need” of the members it serves. They continue to overcome and adapt to the adversity Armenians endure both here and in our Homeland.”
Ungerouhi Arpie’s mother, Makrouhi Madenlian, was one of the founding members, who chaired the first chapter executive, along with Manoush Yegenian and Lucy Toprakjian, who were in attendance. Veron Keuylian and Sirvart Maljian were also on the first executive, who have since passed away.
Forty Martyrs parish priest Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian signified 50 years of service, and explained that within Christianity the concept requires selflessness and placing the collective needs ahead of personal needs in order to reach those in need. The parish priest praised the ARS for reaching the collective needs of Armenia and the Diaspora, congratulated the ARS on this occasion for being wherever there is a need and gave his blessings.
ARF Armen Karo Gomideh Chairman Garo Madenlian congratulated and thanked the ARS members for their contributions within the community, as well as wherever they were needed. In retrospective, he noted that even before the ARS was established in 1910 [in New York], there were women’s groups in the old country called ARF Red Cross [these groups, which included nurses, took care of the injured, orphans, widows and displaced]. He said that these types of occasions are opportunities to profusely thank the ARS members for their service, from the founders to the newest members.
ARS Sevan Chapter Executive Chairperson Zarouhi DerTavitian noted that during the past 50 years, the devoted ARS Sevan Chapter members, past and present chapter executives, volunteered their time and contributed their resources to strengthening Armenia and Artsakh, the Diaspora communities, and help those facing natural disasters, economic upheaval and societal conflicts. She noted that one of the early accomplishments of our chapter was establishing our Saturday School, which became the lifeline for Armenian language and culture for our youth. She thanked the community for their support.
ARS of Western USA Regional Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian praised the chapter for committing itself to furthering the humanitarian work and programs of our organization. She added, “The chapter’s members, past and present, have tirelessly advanced the charitable work we carry out in the realms of advancing education, promoting culture, providing scholarships, assistance to families in need, and ensuring that essential humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable and distressed populations both locally and internationally.” Marashlian extended her board’s utmost congratulations for reaching this significant milestone and sincere appreciation to the chapter’s steadfast supporters, who stand in solidarity with the noble ARS mission.
ARS Central Executive Board Chairperson Dr. Nyree Derderian congratulated the awardees and explained what is written on the 50-year meritorious service awards, before handing them to the awardees. She said that “it is very rare that we see the service within an organization voluntarily for a long period of time; and it is very rare that we see the dedication of volunteerism” and added that these four ungerouhies epitomize that dedication: Makrouhi Madenlian, Meline Najarian, Yeretsgin Hayganoush Kaloustian and Lucy Toprakjian. Loucine Kaprielian and Janet Kassajikian were not able to attend the event, but their awards will reach them.
Next was the candle lighting ceremony, with over a dozen lit in memory of past ARS or family members. The candle lighting was followed by cutting of the cake by the surviving founding chapter executive members: Makrouhi Madenlian, Lucy Toprakjian and Manoush Yegenian. The Regional Executive with Vicky Marashlian leading and Maral Manokian, the liaison to the chapter, awarded the chapter a plaque on the 50th anniversary.
The program ended with Arpie Madenlian and Shushig Madenlian Zupic conducting an auction for a special multi-media painting of the Holy Savior Cathedral (Ghazanchetsots) in Shushi, Artsakh, by 11-year old Saturday School student Siran Demirjian. The featured singer for the rest of the evening was Hovsep Gomidas. A slide show had photographs of many new and old chapter and Saturday school gatherings, making it easier to visualize many of those who were being remembered, as their work continues by another generation.
