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Big Fat Armenian Raffle: A Huge Success
Franklin, Mass.—The second annual AYF Camp Haiastan Big Fat
Armenian Raffle revealed another three lucky winners of
$5,000 each during the 2008 camping season. With only 300
tickets sold, the chances are excellent that you’ll be the
winner of a fat $5,000.00 at one of the three drawings held
during the camp’s famous Sunday Picnics next season.
The first $5,000 winning ticket was drawn at the July 6 Camp
Haiastan Alumni Association Picnic, sponsored by the Camp
Haiastan Board of Directors. The winner was Camp Haiastan
and AYF alumnus Armen Derderian of Detroit.
The second winning ticket was drawn on July 20 during the
AYF-YOARF Eastern Region Picnic. Nine-year-old John,
seven-and-a-half-year-old Elizabeth, and little brother
Nicholas Koobatian of Madison, Conn., were the lucky winners
of the second $5,000 drawing prize.
John and Elizabeth’s parents, Nadine and Gregor, had just
registered them as campers into the sold-out Session 2 camp
session. What a way for the two Koobatians to start out
their two-week stay at Camp Haiastan!
The Providence Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church Picnic was
host to the third and final drawing of the raffle on Aug. 3.
The picnic coincided with registration for the final camping
session of 2008. When Camp Haiastan Board member Michael
Guzelian of Needham, Mass., had the final $5,000 winning
ticket drawn, Baron Roy Callan, Camp Haiastan’s executive
director, did not hear his name being announced since he was
still in the camp office admitting new campers for Session
3. Baron Roy and his wife, affectionately known by campers
as “Digeen Joy,” gifted their winnings back to Camp Haiastan
to help further its mission.
The first Big Fat Armenian Raffle was successfully
spearheaded in 2007 by Mark Alashaian, the chairman of the
camp’s Board of Directors. In just two seasons, it has
raised nearly $40,000 net for the camp. Proceeds from the
raffle directly support the mission, programs, and
activities for campers. The mission of Camp Haiastan is to
promote the preservation of Armenian culture through
Armenian camping and fellowship that is affordable to all
Armenian families. Equally as important, Camp Haiastan
pledges that no child will ever be refused enrollment due to
the inability of a family to afford fees.
The Big Fat Armenian Raffle is proud to support these Camp
Haiastan programs and activities:
· The renowned “Hye Time” Armenian education, culture, and
appreciation program
· Aquatic skills program of swimming, canoeing, kayaking,
and sailing activities
· Outdoor living skills program of overnight camping,
nature, and environmental education and interpretation
· Creative programs of arts and crafts, ceramics, camp
newspaper, radio station, internet computers, and digital
photography
· A variety of sports, games, and athletic activities
including archery, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball,
a ropes course, and more
· Camperships and financial assistance to all who qualify
· Special sessions for Teens (Zartonk Teen Session), a Day
Camp (5-7 yr. olds), and a 1-Week “Try It Out” session for
first timers
· Capital improvement programs to enhance the facilities and
maintain, improve, and expand the camp’s infrastructure
Congratulations to all of the 2008 winners. And a special
thanks to all 300 friends and supporters of Camp Haiastan
who demonstrated their affection and loyalty by purchasing
Big Fat Armenian Raffle tickets this season. Without a
doubt, the continued support of the greater Camp Haiastan
family will help take the camp into its 59th season and
beyond.
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