The California Iota chapter at Fresno State University and National Raisin teamed up
to raise $22,785 for the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA).
National Raisin matched $10,000 that the fraternity raised for the AMAA ‘Shogh’ Day Centers.
The centers are located in Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor in Armenia, and Shushi and Askeran in Artsakh and act as educational after-school programs serving nearly 290 children ranging from ages 6-12 years old from socially underserved families.
The centers offer hot meals, educational support, summer camps, fine art classes, and more, all targeted at lifting families out of poverty.
Eminent Archon Matt Astone (’23), who is of Armenian descent, shared what the donation meant to the chapter.
“In the fall, we closed our chapter house due to the pandemic. Seeing our members
rally around this cause and achieve this level of philanthropy is a testament to the strength of our brotherhood,” Astone said.
Armenia has been involved in a six-week-long conflict with Azerbaijan in the fall of 2020 over the region Nagorno-Karabakh. Another Armenian member of the fraternity, Daniel Abdulian (’22), believes in this cause and wanted to help in any way he could.
“This issue is close at heart for my family. Knowing the recent events in Armenia, our
brotherhood wanted to help those that need it the most,” Abdulian said.
Astone and Abdulian are two of seven Armenian descent and brothers at California Iota.
The fraternity wants to thank everyone who donated and for National Raisin’s generosity. In April, they will be raising money for Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, CA through the
Children’s Miracle Network.
