Ararat Center presented to Delegates

With energetic music, the leaders working to bring to life the Diocese's new Ararat Youth and Conference Center entered the room. The Assembly Delegates caught the excitement, and began clapping in time with the energetic music.

It was a welcoming party, welcoming into the family the new facility, bought in early 2004 after four years of work initiated by the 2000 Diocesan Assembly in Philadelphia.

"We have accomplished a significant milestone for our church our community and our families," said Steve Hovnanian, chairman of the advisory committee overseeing the Ararat Center. "We're excited about having this facility in our Diocese and being able to use it."

Delegates viewed before and after photos, highlighting the recent renovations volunteers have made to the seven buildings on the 65-acre site. Volunteers have been working to get the site ready for its first rental, the Diocese's St. Vartan Camp.

"This will give us a huge opportunity to bring our young people together," said Karnig Durgarian, a member of the advisory committee. "This home will be far your children's children's children."

The center is not just for camp and youngsters; it will be used by parish leaders, clergy, and other associations for workshops and retreats. However the initial idea that culminated in the purchase was to find a home for St. Vartan Camp.

At that Philly Assembly in 2000, an anonymous donor made a $150,000 donation to get the ball rolling. She would later give another $50,000. Her name was Acabe Boornazian. Her niece spoke to the 2004 Assembly, praising her late aunt.

"She told me that she remember the light in my nephews eyes when they would come home from that camp and she would see how Armenian they were," said her neice, Anne Terkanian, who has been involved with St. Vartan Camp for the past three years. "Now that I work at camp, I know what it is like to see that light, not only in my children's eyes but in all your children's eyes. The light is there. This is an important project. Let's pay it off."

While donations have been given to cover much of the purchase price, there is an outstanding balance. The advisory committee also is looking to establish an endowment fund to cover operations at the year-round center.

The delegates were asked to return to their parish and think of ways they could support the center's purchase and set up.

Posted by Jake at April 30, 2004 09:00 PM