InternationalCOAF raises $1.2 million for village school in "A Night of Brilliance"
by Cathy Carr
Published: Thursday November 19, 2009
From left, Martin Short, Larry Feinberg, George Pagoumian, and James Iervolino at COAF's "A Night of Brilliance," New York, Nov. 6, 2009. COAF
Related Articles
COAF celebrates Child Protection Day with performance in Lernagog
COAF raises $1.25 million for rural Armenia in New York gala
COAF after-school photo club brings light to villages through the dark room
New school buildings jump-start educational potential in COAF cluster villages
New York - On Friday evening, November 6, 120 friends and supporters of the Children of Arrmenia Fund (COAF) enjoyed an evening billed as "A Night of Brilliance" at the Glass Houses in the Chelsea Arts Tower in New York. They celebrated the organization's accomplishments over the past six years and looked ahead to all that remains to be done as COAF continues its efforts to improve living conditions in some of Armenia's impoverished villages. Some $1.2 million was raised through "A Night of Brilliance"; the funds will be used to expand COAF's commitment to education, organizers said.
Martin Short, Andrea Martin entertain
As the sun set with jazz playing quietly in the background, guests at the Glass Houses sipped cocktails, enjoying spectacular views of Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River, and the West Side. They also had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction of Rolex and Patek Philippe watches and beautiful jewelry pieces by D'Amore Jewelers.
Emmy- and Tony-Award-winning actress Andrea Martin welcomed the guests as they arrived in the dining room. She expressed her ongoing support for COAF and its work and introduced Garo Armen, Ph.D., the founder and chairperson of the fund.
COAF's work has focused on nine villages in a district of Armenia's Armavir province. Mr. Armen gave a report on COAF's accomplishments in the villages. He focused on schools that have been rebuilt and revitalized, providing education and hope for the area's children. He said $1.5 million is needed to rebuild the school in the village of Miasnikian, a decaying facility where 700 children attend classes daily. Mr. Armen contrasted the vibrant Lernagog school, which has already been refurbished, with the Miasnikian facility, which is crumbling, lacks electricity, indoor plumbing, and window glass throughout.
Entertainment was provided by actor and comedian Martin Short. After joking with Ms. Martin, he had COAF's friends and supporters roaring with laughter as he sang, joked, and involved them in a hilarious bit based on his movie Three Amigos. Guests will not soon forget the sight of three of their number on stage with Mr. Short, wearing colorful sombreros.
Auction generates $1.7 million
The featured event of the evening was a live auction of seven magnificent pieces of exquisite diamond jewelry. Malcolm Barber, CEO of Bonhams & Butterfields, auctioneers of fine art and antiques, presided. The superb rings, necklaces, and bracelets, combined with the guests' enthusiastic commitment to COAF's programs generated $1.7 million in gross revenues. The $1.2 million raised that night includes COAF's share of the auction revenues.
Following the excitement of the auction, guests were entertained again by Ms. Martin, this time in a duet with actress and Broadway star Debra Monk, as well as by singer and songwriter Nellie McKay.
COAF's accomplishments
Guests were treated to a preview of a documentary on COAF that is currently in production. Afterward, Mr. Armen talked about the situation the organization confronted at its inception and the work it has already done. When Armenia was part of the Soviet Union, it had the highest literacy rate among all the Soviet republics. With the collapse of the economy and cessation of Soviet subsidies, however, progress stopped and there was great despair. School buildings crumbled, and teachers lacked the books, tools, and ongoing training they needed to prepare the next generation. Rural students and teachers became ever more isolated from the modern world.
In the six years it has been at work in Armenia, COAF has expanded its operations from just one village to nine. Working closely with local residents, it has implemented programs to improve education, healthcare, and community life, building foundations for nurturing and self-sufficient communities. Having spent just over $9 million, COAF has dramatically changed the lives of more than 20,000 people, Mr. Armen said. More than 5,000 children now have the healthcare they need and are attending refurbished and revitalized schools, where their teachers have access to up-to-date educational tools and technologies. Their horizons have broadened, and these students are stepping up to take advantage of their new opportunities, he said.
Mr. Armen cited Manushak, 15, as one of many success stories. Manushak lives in a home that lacks indoor plumbing, and had no realistic expectation of traveling outside of Armenia. When COAF launched a photo-video club with funding from Newman's Own Foundation, though, Manushak joined, enthusiastically learning to use sophisticated camera equipment to express her creativity. Eventually club members entered an international photo competition; Manushak submitted a series of photos on the topic of "Beggars." She was selected as a winner, making her and her entire community incredibly proud. With Levon Travel covering expenses, Manushak traveled to Lithuania to collect her award and participate in several days of photography training and seminars with peers from many other countries. This was a life-changing experience for her, expanding her worldview, instilling confidence, and further motivating her to achieve her dreams through hard work and perseverance.
COAF strives to provide life-changing experiences and inspiration for all the children in its villages. COAF's efforts in the educational arena go far beyond the refurbishment of buildings, although the difference the organization has made there cannot be minimized. It is much easier to concentrate on one's studies when one is in a school that has electricity, indoor plumbing, and glass in all its windows. The schools COAF has refurbished do not have to shut down during the worst of the winter because students in these schools are not wearing layers of coats, huddling near stoves that give out limited heat and sickening smoke.
