October 7, 2011 - 11:30 AMT
Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief to mark anniversary

The Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) will celebrate its sixth anniversary on October 22 at The Woman’s Club of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

The event will include an open bar, mezza, buffet dinner, silent auction and entertainment provided by vocalist Marina V and pianist Kariné Poghosyan, The Armenian Mirror Spectator reported.

SOAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, registered in the U.S. and Armenia, whose mission is to distribute food, clothing, medicine, educational supplies and other essential resources to orphanages throughout Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Javakhk. The organization is composed of a National Board of Directors, chapter boards in 14 cities throughout the US and Armenia, a Board of Trustees headquartered in Philadelphia and partners in Armenia who all volunteer their time.

Founded by George and Erica Yacoubian in May 2006, shortly after they adopted their older daughter, Liliana, from Armenia, SOAR is the only non-profit organization that focuses exclusively on providing humanitarian relief to orphaned children living in Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh and Javakhk.

SOAR also supports an annual summer camp in Tsaghkadzor, which accommodates 800-1,000 orphaned and otherwise disadvantaged children between the ages of 8 and 15, aiming to lessen the immediate and long-term impact of poverty in children’s lives through a wide range of athletic, cultural, spiritual and social activities.