A meeting of Armenian Writers Association was held in the beginning of February in Glendale public library. In the framework of the meeting the public writer and editor Grant Simonyan donated $1000 to Armenian Writers society in California. Half of the sum is intended for the publication of verses by poetess Hranush Aryants.

During the meeting an official declaration was made about the institution of an annual literature award after Hrant and Manush Somonyans to be bestowed in Best Poet and Best Prose Writer nominations.

In 2008, Hrant Simonyan made a $1000 donation to Armenian Writers Association as an award to the poetess Anahit Yeremyan.