On Saturday, June 16, 2018, the AGBU Orange County Saturday School held its annual fundraiser. The fundraising dinner was a huge success raising over $10,000, which will allow the school to continue its dedication to providing a community for children of Armenian descent to learn about their language and heritage. Among the guests in attendance were, Father Moushegh Tashjian from Saint Mary’s Armenian Church, Director of the AGBU OC Saturday School, Gevork Martirosian, and AGBU Western District Board Members; Chair Talin Yacoubian, Vice Chair Hagop Sepetjian, Shahan Yacoubian, and Lucy Varpetian.

As teacher Geghanoush Guyumjyan said so eloquently, “Chunes lezu, chunes azg,” meaning, if you don’t have a language, you don’t have a nation. These powerful words gave meaning and purpose to the evening. The AGBU Orange County Saturday School offers Armenian families a place to connect and celebrate their culture through formal classroom language and history education, arts and music lessons, holiday celebrations, martial arts, and outings for students ages 3 to 18. The school is yet another vehicle to uphold the Armenian heritage and keep the culture alive.

With an ’80′s Glow’ party theme, the night was full of bright colors, great music and lots of celebration. A silent auction highlighted original art from Irina Fahradyan, a 3D abstract artist based in Southern California, as well as handmade items from Armenia. All funds raised will be used to support the school with supplies and to accommodate all children.

If you are interested in making a donation, please visit http://oc.agbuevents.org or send your check made payable to “AGBU” to 2495 E. Mountain St., Pasadena, CA 91104. Please indicate “OC Saturday School Fundraiser” in the memo line. All donations are tax deductible.