LOS ANGELES, CA - Tens of thousands of Armenian Americans from the across the U.S. joined in a true show of Armenian American grassroots power and unity to support the civic education efforts of the ANCA Endowment during its 6 hour nationwide telethon broadcast on Sunday, May 20. After a of host of informative segments on the growing Armenian American presence in all segments of civic life, along with a health dose of community commentary and entertainment, over $2.2 million was raised in support of the educational and grassroots development efforts of the ANCA Endowment. Highlights from the broadcast are featured on the ANCA telethon website -- http://www.ancatelethon.org -- and the ANCA Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/ancagrassroots Just 24 hours prior to the telethon, with community excitement for the efforts already at fever pitch, Kim Kardashian rallied support for the ANCA and its ongoing campaign to end U.S. complicity in Turkey's genocide denial, releasing a public service announcement citing the importance of the ANCA's efforts and announcing her personal commitment to the strengthening of the organization. “As we witness injustice in today's world and we all strive to eradicate violence and mass killings everywhere, I've been doing what's right and doing my share in bringing recognition to the Armenian Genocide," said Kardashian. "Mankind must recognize genocides of the past for what they are so that we can stop them from reoccurring in the future; that's why I'm supporting the ANCA Telethon and contributing to it.” The video appeal was followed by a blog post and tweets by Kardashian on Telethon day. Fans and supporters were enthusiastic about Kardashian's latest efforts to call attention to key human rights concerns, blogging, tweeting and facebooking words of encouragement and approval. Just last week, Grammy winner Serj Tankian, a key advocate on key human rights issues including the Armenian Genocide, offered his support for the ANCA Telethon, leading a long line of entertainers, politicians and community leaders who had lent their support for the ANCA's civic and educational expansion agenda. The ANCA Endowment Fund supports a broad range of educational, youth, and civic programs that give voice to the views and values of the Armenian American community, strengthening our presence in the American civic arena, and empowering pro-Armenian stakeholders with the information and resources they need to take on the powerful forces aligned against the Armenian nation. The first two ANCA Endowment Fund telethons, held in 2006 and 2009, raised over $4.5 million for Armenian American educational, youth, and civic programs. Both programs touched a common emotional chord, speaking directly to the devotion to the Armenian Cause that rests in the hearts of Armenians from across the U.S., regardless of organizational or political affiliations. Countless organizations, volunteers, churches, community leaders, local ANCAs, performing artists, Members of Congress, and state legislators from across the nation participated in the telethons, contributing to their enormous success. Both telethons featured several documentaries that highlighted various ANCA programs and numerous results the ANCA Endowment has achieved over the years, largely through its volunteer and grassroots network. Complete coverage of ANCA Telethon 2012 will be provided in the upcoming weeks. The complete program will be rebroadcast by Horizon Armenian Television offering the community additional opportunities to support the initiative by visiting www.ancatelethon.org

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