The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 16th annual Pan-European Phoneathon, led by the fund’s French affiliate, will be held on November 18-22.

Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, and Patrick Devedjian, president of the General Council of Hauts-de-Seine, will serve as the godmother and godfather of the Phoneathon, respectively, calling on people to support the initiative throughout the five days of the event.

Proceeds from the Phoneathon will be used to build community centers in Nagorno Karabakh, expand agricultural-development projects in Armenia’s Tavush Province, and provide assistance to Armenian refugees from Syria and Iraq.

The Phoneathon was preceded by an opening Gala Dinner on November 12, held at the Paris City Hall under the auspices of Mayor Hidalgo.

In the course of the Phoneathon, more than 600 volunteers will call some 50,000 households, businesses, and organizations in France, Germany, and Switzerland to ask their support. Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s other affiliates in Europe — including those of Britain, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Romania, and Greece — as well as Cyprus will organize their own fundraising events in the run-up to the fund’s Thanksgiving Day Telethon on November 26.