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ARMENIANcontinued from page 31in New York City, said many relief funds are being spearheadedin the area.“We are urgently asking for money,” she said. “The situation is very, very grave, and the news is getting worse each day. Unfortunately it is not going to get better for a while. It is an absolutely desperate situation.”Mrs. Sahagian said those wishing to contribute to the relief fundsshould send cash because the communication with officials in Armenia is poor, making it difficult to determine what is needed.Of the donations received so far, Mrs Sahagian said, “I am thrilled and deeply moved at all the outpouring of help and love to the earthquake victims. It’s a wonderful thing“Maybe from this tragedy, something good will happen,’ ’ she added, “At least it may bring us closer to world peace and it wouldn’t have been in vain.”It all started with a knock on the door of a run-down apartment in one of New York City’s toughest neighborhoods. The East Village apartment had just been rented by father Bruce Ritter.One Sunday, after delivering a sermon on commitment to helping the poor, the Franciscan priest ’ s Manhattan College students challenged him to practice what he preached. A week later, Ritter had the apartment — and a new assignment — to live and work among the poor on the LowerEast Side.Then the knock came, on a snowy February night in 1968. When Father Ritter opened his door, six kids stood there shivering and frightened. They asked if they could sleep on his floor. He let them in and, in a way, they never left.Many organizations are setting up relief funds for Armenian earthquake victims. Most are ask ing for monetary donations rather than food, clothing or blankets.A toll-free telephone number has been established by the Armenian Apostolic Diocese of New York City. For more information on how to help earthquake victims, call 1-800-ARARAT-1.Anyone wishing to make monetary donations may send checksto any of the organizations listed below. Checks must be made payable to the organization itseif, and all organizations are asking that those sending money specify that it is for Armenian Earthquake Relief to ensure that it is directed to the proper source.• The Armenian Church of theHoly Ascension, ’460 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611. 372-5770.•Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East. Westport, CT 06880 226-9018.• The American Red Cross, Westport/Weston Chapter, 36 Church Lane, Westport, CT 06880,227-9505.• Save the Children, Armenian Earthquake Fund, 48 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880. 2267271.• The Armenian Prelacy, 138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.• The AmeriCares Foundation, 65 Locust Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840 9665159.Those who prefer to contribute materials such as clothing and blankets may drop off these items at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 4 Riverside Avenue. Riverside, CT. 637-3661. Currently, this is the only organization accepting such goods.- Phyllis Codling
Newspaper Details
Norwalk News Trader
Norwalk, Connecticut, US
Thu, Dec 15, 1988
Page 38
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
KY, USA 11 Oct 2020
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