Prof. Richard Hovannisian will receive the Vahan Cardashian Award

Baroness Caroline Cox to receive Freedom Award; Professor Richard Hovannisian to receive Vahan Cardashian Award

WATERTOWN—The Armenian National Committee of America-Eastern Region Endowment Fund will host the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region 6th Annual Banquet on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the Sheraton Crossroads in Mahwah, New Jersey.  The Banquet will begin with an elegant cocktail reception and silent auction at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner and awards ceremony at 7:30 pm.

The ANCA Eastern Region will once again honor an individual with its prestigious Freedom Award for outstanding contributions toward the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and for pursuing other issues of importance to the Armenian American community.  This year, the ANCA Eastern Region will honor Baroness Caroline Cox with the ANCA Freedom Award.

Since 2007, the ANCA Freedom Award has been presented to former US Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans, Pulitzer Prize winning author Dr. Samantha Power, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, the late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, former U. S. Senator Robert Dole, and former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole.

The Vahan Cardashian Award will be presented to an Armenian American activist who has exemplified the ideals and dedication of the founder of the Hai Tahd movement.  Professor Richard Hovannisian will be presented with the ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award.

Baroness Cox will receive the Freedom Award

Recipients of the ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award are Vahe Amirian of New Jersey, Martha Aramian of Rhode Island, Bedros Bandazian of Virginia, Melanie Kerneklian of Virginia, Tatul Sonentz-Papazian of Massachusetts, Ruth Thomasian of Massachusetts, and Stephen Dulgarian of Massachusetts.

Hundreds of Armenian Americans from throughout the Eastern Region of the United States will once again gather to celebrate the achievements of the ANCA Eastern Region and to honor those that have advanced the Armenian Cause.

The Banquet Committee will prepare for a weekend of honoring the past and looking to the future for the ANCA Eastern Region.  A Friday evening social activity, along with events on Sunday will add to theallure of the largest annual fundraising event for the ANCA Eastern Region.

Banquet chair, Karine Shnorhokian and co-chair Nicole Alashaian, both active members of the New Jersey Armenian American community and members of the ANC of New Jersey, are working diligently to ensure the success of this annual fundraising event. “This is a fantastic event that truly showcases the activities and support throughout the Eastern Region.  We are looking forward to a spectacular turnout on December 1st,” commented Shnorhokian.

In the coming weeks, additional information will be posted at www.erbanquet.org.  For more information, please contact Karine Shnorhokian at 201-788-5425.  Hotel accommodations are available by calling 201-529-1660, please be sure to mention ANCA for a rate of $109.

The ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization that supports the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region in outreach to Armenian American communities.