Big Fat Armenian Raffle: A Huge Success

"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 32, August 16, 2007

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.