Children of Armenia Fund, Dec 13, 2012
The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), a non-profit organization working to improve the living conditions for village children in Armenia, hosted its Ninth Annual Holiday Gala on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing. The event was a huge success as more than 300 longtime friends and supporters gathered for an unforgettable evening and raised $1.3 million to support of COAF’s programs. Special guests in attendance included Nathan Lane, Sean Hayes, Victor Garber and Patricia Field.
For the sixth year in a row, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress, Andrea Martin was the master of ceremonies for the evening. She was also honored for her longtime commitment to the organization with the COAF Humanitarian Award. Martin has been a longtime advocate of COAF’s mission in creating and sustaining opportunities for growth and progress among children in impoverished rural Armenia. The COAF Humanitarian Award was created to recognize individuals doing outstanding work in advocacy and awareness both inside and outside the organization.
Both Sam and Sylva Simonian and Nathan Lane were also honored for their philanthropic accomplishments. Sam Simonian, President and CEO of INET, also founded the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Armenia. TUMO is a state-of-the-art digital technology center that serves as a precursor for teens wanting to pursue careers in animation, video games, web development, and digital video and audio. Nathan Lane, notably known for his work in film and television, was also honored for his philanthropic work. Lane sits on the Board of Trustees for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids, one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.
The evening also featured performances by children who traveled to New York from the villages of Armenia where COAF works. They played traditional Armenian musical instruments and shared their success stories with those in attendance. Brian Stokes-Mitchell captivated the crowd with a performance of “What a Wonderful World” and evening came to a close after singer Lauriana Mae delivered her rendition of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”.
The Gala was co-hosted by celebrated artist Michael Aram. The event also featured both silent and live auctions conducted by Sotheby’s celebrity auctioneer C. Hugh Hildesley. The money raised from these auctions will support the expansion efforts of COAF’s programs to additional villages. For more information, please visit http://www.coafkids.org or call 212-994-8234.
The Children of Armenia Fund is an independent, nonprofit, nongovernmental (501)(c)(3) organization. COAF works to secure a future for children in Armenia’s impoverished rural villages through improved education, health care, community life and economic conditions. At their core, our programs create and sustain opportunities for growth and progress.
Read MoreFor the sixth year in a row, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress, Andrea Martin was the master of ceremonies for the evening. She was also honored for her longtime commitment to the organization with the COAF Humanitarian Award. Martin has been a longtime advocate of COAF’s mission in creating and sustaining opportunities for growth and progress among children in impoverished rural Armenia. The COAF Humanitarian Award was created to recognize individuals doing outstanding work in advocacy and awareness both inside and outside the organization.
Both Sam and Sylva Simonian and Nathan Lane were also honored for their philanthropic accomplishments. Sam Simonian, President and CEO of INET, also founded the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Armenia. TUMO is a state-of-the-art digital technology center that serves as a precursor for teens wanting to pursue careers in animation, video games, web development, and digital video and audio. Nathan Lane, notably known for his work in film and television, was also honored for his philanthropic work. Lane sits on the Board of Trustees for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids, one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.
The evening also featured performances by children who traveled to New York from the villages of Armenia where COAF works. They played traditional Armenian musical instruments and shared their success stories with those in attendance. Brian Stokes-Mitchell captivated the crowd with a performance of “What a Wonderful World” and evening came to a close after singer Lauriana Mae delivered her rendition of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”.
The Gala was co-hosted by celebrated artist Michael Aram. The event also featured both silent and live auctions conducted by Sotheby’s celebrity auctioneer C. Hugh Hildesley. The money raised from these auctions will support the expansion efforts of COAF’s programs to additional villages. For more information, please visit http://www.coafkids.org or call 212-994-8234.
The Children of Armenia Fund is an independent, nonprofit, nongovernmental (501)(c)(3) organization. COAF works to secure a future for children in Armenia’s impoverished rural villages through improved education, health care, community life and economic conditions. At their core, our programs create and sustain opportunities for growth and progress.
