ANC Glendale Announces 2010 Honorees
August 23, 2010

Glendale, CA - The Armenian National Committee of Glendale announced today the honorees for its highly anticipated 2010 Annual Banquet which will take place at Renaissance Banquet Hall on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 6:30pm.

“The individuals and organizations being recognized this year have an unparalleled track record of community involvement and service as well as dedication to the betterment of our city and our community,” stated Sarkis Ourfalian, Co-Chair of ANC Glendale.  “The Awards ceremony is our way of giving thanks for all their hard work throughout the years. We look forward to a wonderful and memorable evening,” added Ourfalian.

Awards will be presented to Mr. Larry Zarian, Former Mayor of the City of Glendale, Ms. Alissa Asmarian, Owner of Favorite Place Restaurant, Glendale Healthy Kids, provider of health care and health education to children, and Glendale Youth Alliance, provider of employment for Glendale’s low-income youth. Decisions for the “Youth Activist of the Year Award” have not been made due to a high volume of nomination forms submitted by local schools and organizations. Each of the aforementioned individuals will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Armenian-American community and their ongoing efforts to enrich the City of Glendale.

This year’s annual banquet will also celebrate the dynamic and energizing role of ANC Glendale, its new programs and collaborative efforts. The evening will feature a DVD segment in addition to award presentations for this year’s honorees and its newly established Youth Activist Scholarship recipients.  

Former Glendale Mayor, Larry Zarian who will be presented with the “Leadership Award,” has been a public servant and an advocate of the Armenian-American community for over five decades.  Mr. Zarian was elected to the Glendale City Council in 1983 serving 16 years on the Council – four terms as Mayor.   As Mayor, he was instrumental in the start up of transportation in the City's local shuttle (Beeline) as well as the establishment of the Veteran’s Memorial. During his four Council terms, he was involved in many of the negotiations of the Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Airport and its critical role in southern California; and served as Transportation Representative for eight North County cities on the League of Cities.  Included on a long list of public service accomplishments, Mr. Zarian served as a member and chairman of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, chairman and member of the State Regional Water Quality Control Board, vice-chair of the National Highway Safety Commission, president of the Public Service Commission and the Glendale Planning Commission.  Currently, Mr. Zarian serves on the governing board of the Glendale Adventist Hospital and is a member of the Glendale Kiwanis, Glendale Association for the Retarded. And the Glendale Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Alissa Asmarian, owner of Favorite Place Restaurant will be presented with the “Friend of ANC Glendale Award” in recognition of her continuous support of the Armenian-American community in Glendale.  Aside from being an exceptional businesswoman, Ms. Asmarian selflessly contributes actively in the community by participating in organizations such as the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry’s Comedy Night Committee, Ani and Narod Foundation’s Millennium Armenian Children Vaccination Fund Committee, and Congressman Adam Schiff Dinner Fundraising committee as Chairwoman.   Alissa is a proud former Board member of Glendale Healthy Kids and currently stands as the Vice-President of the Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce of GLAC.

Glendale Youth Alliance, which will receive the “Organization of the Year Award”, is a nonprofit organization and a partnership between government, education, businesses and our community. Established in 1993, GYA’s mission is to provide jobs and employment preparedness training for Glendale ’s low-income youth ages 14-24.   With six operating program that set the foundation to learn critical job skills and to become productive participants of the workforce, GYC has provided first time employment and training to over 5,000 Glendale area youth.

Glendale Healthy Kids, the recipient of the “Community Service Award” was founded in 1993 to meet an assessed community need: providing access to healthcare for children who are low-income or underinsured.  Growing from serving 5 schools, GHK now provides free health services to children living in the greater Glendale area---from Sunland to LaCanada, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village and Burbank.  Their mission continues to bring together community hospitals, doctors and activists to ensure that children have access to health care and health education.

The 2010 ANCG Annual Banquet will begin with Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction at 6:30pm, followed by Dinner and Program at 7:30pm.  The Keynote Speaker for the evening will be ANCA Executive Director, Mr. Aram Hamparian. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the ANCG office at 818.243.3444 or by visiting www.itsmyseat.com.

To learn more about ANC Glendale or to obtain information on sponsorship opportunities please visit www.ancglendale.org.

The Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city's Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

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