Dear Parishioners and Friends,

In the first phase of our fundraiser, during the last two weeks we have collected about $40,000 from our parishioners and friends, and about $25,000 from our Parish Council and church organizations (as of Oct. 20). 100% of the funds will be transferred to the Artsakh humanitarian relief efforts. Many of our parishioners have also made donations directly to www.himnadram.org, www.armenianwoundedheroes.com, Diocese of the Armenian Church or AGBU. We thank you for your incredible generosity and support for our brothers and sisters in our homeland.

At this time of great need, we are writing to you to ask for your continuous support at a time of great crisis for the Armenian people. We step into the second phase and we launch a $50,000 matching campaign to continue providing humanitarian relief to the brave soldiers fighting the war in Artsakh and the people who have been displaced by the violence and destruction brought by the war. During the match period, St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church and the Parish Council will match every dollar donated online or by checks up to $50,000. 100% of the money raised will be put toward the Hyastan All Armenia Fund’s humanitarian relief efforts. Please join us in supporting our brothers and sisters in Artsakh and Armenia by donating today.

We must ask ourselves, if the Armenians were to be driven out of Artsakh, what next? Armenia? Armenia would be the only obstacle to a Turkish bridge to the Caspian Sea and the oil rich lands of Azerbaijan. 
WE NEED YOU: At the time of World War I, the world stood by while the Armenians were driven from their homeland and systematically killed in the Genocide. In 1915, there was not an Armenian diaspora to help save the Armenians from the Ottoman Empire. We are the diaspora now—the legacy of the Genocide—and as Armenians we must answer the call for help that went unanswered 105 years ago. Ask yourself, If not I, then who will stand up for the Armenians? Who will stop the ethnic cleansing of yet another Armenian homeland?

THE NEED IS URGENT: In two weeks of war, hundreds have been killed including civilians and much damage has been done. The ceasefire is fragile at best. The cost of defending Artsakh is estimated to be $30,000,000-$40,000,000 a day and resources are quickly depleted. Should a ceasefire hold, the cost of rebuilding and restoring services will be great.

BE GENEROUS: Our immediate—and urgent—goal is to raise at least $50,000. Please be generous and donate either by using the link below or by check made payable to St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church, Memo: Artsakh Relief. All funds raised in this campaign will be donated to the All Armenia Fund for humanitarian purposes. If you wish to make donations directly please visit www.armeniafund.org or www.himnadram.org.

Please give now and give generously. Our immediate—and urgent—goal is to raise $100,000 to support Artsakh and the money will be used exclusively for humanitarian purposes. 100% of the donations made to St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church for Artsakh Relief through October 31, 2020 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 and donated directly to the Hyastan All Armenia Fund.
 
Give so history does not repeat itself. Give to save Armenian lives. Give to honor our families who perished 105 years ago when aid could not be found.

Please keep the people of Artsakh in your thoughts and prayers, and let us all pray for peace.
 
Sincerely,

Artsakh Relief Fundraising Committee