The U.S.-based Armenia Fund held the 4^th annual telethon for Gyumri in Los Angeles. The 7-hour fundraiser helped raise $562,000 to help several Armenian families of Gyumri leave their shacks and move to new and comfortable homes.

During the telethon, Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan made a call and emphasized that the time has come for the Republic of Armenia to become a homeland for living happily and a dignified life, not a place to survive. “There should not be any more “domiks” (shacks) in Armenia, but to make this happen, we need to combine our efforts, stand united as one and be generous to each other. Citizens of the Republic of Armenia have to be and live as dignified people. There is no alternative,” Minister Hayrapetyan said.

The “Our Gyumri” Telethon was held by Armenia Fund, gathering not only the Fund’s benefactors, but also Armenians living in different corners of the globe.

Over the past three years, Armenia Fund has helped 38 families forget living in shacks, and over 2,000 are waiting for their turn.