Armenian Youth Foundation makes historic contribution to A.Y.F. Camp Haiastan
July 26, 2014 was an historic date in the life of the Armenian Youth Foundation – just as it was for Camp Haiastan - on many grounds. Not only was it the night that newly appointed Executive Director, David Hamparian, announced the Camp's largest fundraising campaign in its sixty-five-year history, it was also the night that Armenian Youth Foundation Chairman, Stepan Kanarian, announced the Foundation's largest grant award in its forty-year history.
The award announcement was made during the Camp's Gala tribute event on the heels of David Hamparian's announcement. "The Camp is facing some significant infrastructure challenges in the coming years," said Foundation Chair Kanarian. "Their Expand and Renew program positions Camp Haiastan to continue to thrive and serve our community for generations to come. . . but it comes with a price tag - $750,000. While the Foundation has been a major Camp supporter over the years, it was clear to us that an extraordinary commitment was in order given the extraordinary need. Hopefully, the Foundation's contribution will not only provide a substantial jumpstart for the Camp's Expand and Renew program, but also inspire others within the community to step up to help Camp meet its ambitious goal." Click here to view the full text of Stepan Kanarian's award presentation speech from the Camp Haiastan Gala-Tribute.
“The Camp is facing some significant infrastructure challenges in the coming years. Hopefully the Foundation’s contribution will not only provide a substantial jumpstart for the Camp’s Expand and Renew program, but also inspire others within the community to step up to help Camp meet its ambitious goal.”
Funds from the campaign will be used not only to increase the Camp's capacity but also to replace a number of its original facilities including bathrooms, showers, and washstands. Once these new facilities are created, the campaign will also cover the repurposing of those original structures. One of the campaign's largest single line items - and most immediate needs - is an item that speaks to the growth of Camp Haiastan over the last sixty-five years - the replacement of the current septic system. "It's not a project that in and of itself will add a lot of aesthetic appeal to Camp once it's complete. Yet it's the single most expensive item that the Camp has ever had to underwrite," said Executive Director Hamparian.
For more information on this important fundraising initiative, visit camphaiastan.org/donors. Founded in 1973, the Armenian Youth Foundation, Inc. is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to offering financial support to programs of cultural, educational and/or athletic significance benefiting Armenian youth in America.
From left to right: Stepan Kanarian, Armenian Youth Foundation Chair; Michael Guzelian, Armenian Youth Foundation; David Hamparian, Camp Haiastan, Executive Director; and Mark Alashaian, Camp Haiastan Board of Directors.
Tournament winners Eric Guzelian and Paul Arakelian with Foundation Chairman Stepan Kanarian. Not present at the time of the photo was Tournament winner Jim Dibiase