4Th Bridge To The Future Gala Raises More Than $120,000 For New Church Campus In San Diego San Diego Gala Raises Funds To Begin Building Phase

In classy and fashionable Southern California style, the Bridge to the Future Gala Dinner and Dance was held on October 22, 2016 at the Park Hyatt Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, California.  Two hundred guests attended the sold-out event that raised more than $120,000 for a new Armenian Church campus near Del Mar in the City of San Diego.

Guests at the St. John Garabed Gala

The event was organized by the Gala and Trust Fund Committees of St. John Garabed Armenian Church, which is shepherded by Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan.

The theme of this year’s Gala, "Building the Next Generation Together," inaugurated the second phase of the Bridge to the Future campaign.  This phase will include the construction of a state-of-the-art facility that will be built in stages over several years. 

Music Director Sona Baghdasaryan and Armenian musical performers included Alex Mirolyan, Ani Meader, Artyom Gulyan, Sona Danielyan, Aharon Genin, Izabella Shiff, Siranush Avetigyan, and Mari Simavonyan 

The campus will feature a sanctuary, social hall, youth center, classrooms for Sunday & Armenian School, library, gymnasium, Armenian Heritage Park, picnic and meditation space, and abundant parking.  The first phase of the project concluded when both the San Diego Planning Commission and California Coastal Commission approved the Conditional Use Permit in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

L-R: Gala Chair Kathy Kassardjian, Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Gala Honorary Chair Carol Vassiliadis, Emcee CBS News 8 Anchor Dan Cohen

The Gala welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, as the Guest of Honor.  The event also featured Emmy Award winning CBS 8 This Morning & CBS News 8 co-anchor Daniel Cohen as the celebrity master of ceremonies and Zan Aufderheide as the auctioneer. 

The evening began with sumptuous appetizers served to guests as they mingled and bid on more than 30 silent auction items.  Showcasing the silent auction were extravagant, themed baskets, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and an enchanting designer jewelry boutique.  New this year was a wine wall where guests could take their chance on winning fine wines or special prizes. 

Young Armenian students of the San Diego Armenian Children's Chorus and the Militonyan Dance School performing at the Gala

Entertainment during the cocktail hour was provided by the lovely Sona Baghdasaryan and beautiful Armenian Children’s Choir Group of San Diego, led by Garnik and Gohar Militonyan.

Inside the elegantly appointed ballroom, the program kicked off with a rousing welcome by Cohen.  Vocalist Ani Meader sang the American anthem, and the Children’s Choir sang the Armenian anthem.  Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan delivered an inspirational invocation and blessing. 

The Guest of Honor, Archbishop Derderian, delivered the keynote speech.  He reflected on the years of work that have led up to this momentous occasion.  He said that the project’s name, Bridge to the Future, is more relevant now than ever with the community on the threshold of starting construction.  He recognized the members of the Gala Committee, paying special tribute to Honorary Chairwoman Carol Vassiliadis and Gala Chairwoman Kathy Kassardjian who worked for months to plan and organize the event.

(R-L) Ani Meader, National Anthem vocalist, and her mother Suzanne

The gourmet dinner included entertainment by celebrity singers, Gary & Dany of “The Pianista” and the Armenian Children’s Dance & Choir Group of San Diego as well as an exciting Raise the Paddle round and spectacular live auction.  The live auction was preceded by a short video that captured the essence of San Diego’s Armenian community through photos and footage of the church’s history, a tribute to the original founders of St. John Garabed Armenian Church, and a hopeful message for the future.

The 12 live auction offerings included a 10-day, all expenses paid trip for two to Armenia, a dinner for six prepared by Rancho Santa Fe’s firefighters, dinner for 50 guests provided by San Diego’s own Phil’s Barbecue, a catered dinner offered by Suzanne Meader, vacations in Newport Beach, Montreal, and Mexico, exclusive designer jewelry, and more.

Father Nerses and Yeretzkin Araxy Hayrapetyan

The evening soared through the night with music and dancing provided by “The Pianista” and DJ Andre Koja Oghlanian.  Gala photos can be viewed at http://www.stjohngarabed.org/trust-committee.

The proceeds from this event will support the construction phase of the Bridge to the Future campaign.  The approved property is located at 13860 El Camino Real in San Diego, just one-half mile from the ocean. 

Twenty-five percent of the evening’s net profit will go to the general operating budget of St. John Garabed Armenian Church.  Harry Krikorian, chairman of the Trust Fund Committee, stated that the ground breaking is expected to take place in late 2017.

For more information about the new church campus and to learn about giving opportunities, please contact Gary Takessian at (858) 569-6527 or garytakessian34@yahoo.com.  All contributions are tax-deductible.