Ararat Center Report

Following dinner on Friday, the delegates heard from Yn. Paulette Doudoukjian from the Ararat Center board.

“The board is making sure this investment, you’re investment, thrives,” she said as she spoke about the construction of a multipurpose pavilion, which will be called Sepastia. With ground breaking last fall, the pavilion should be complete by the start of the summer camp season.

She also noted that Ararat has thrived thanks to many financial supporters and in-kind services from professionals such as architects. Additionally, more than 3,000 volunteer hours have been logged by parishioners throughout the Diocese in fixing up the Center.

“Without volunteers, we would not be able to provide such a facility for our youth and others,” she said.

Since its inception, fund-raising has covered almost the entire purchase price and the pavilion construction with only $300,000 in debt remaining

“This has already proven itself to be an asset to the Diocese, the youth, and the Armenian people,” said Stephen Hovnanian, chair of the Ararat Center board.

He told delegates that the Board is planning to match any donation $1 for every $2 raised, up to $100,000. That means if the delegates and parishioners can raise $200,000 the Ararat Center Board will match to cover the remaining $100,000.

The Ararat Center Festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. The public is invited to travel to the center in upstate New York’s Catskill Mountains for the festival.

More information on the Center can be found at its website www.araratcenter.org.

Posted by Jake at May 3, 2007 07:53 PM