New Jersey
The ARS “Armenouhi”
Chapter of Bergen County
The Bergen County Chapter was founded in 1924 by Armenouhi Shirvanian, Siroon Bedrosioan, Haiganoush Hagopian, Kay Zora Turpanjian, Mrs. Papazian, Kay Mamelian, Verjin Moomjy, Anoush Aslanian, Mrs. Sandrakorzian, Varsenig Garabedian, and Eugenee Nishanian. During the chapter’s early years, these women raised money through rummage sales and card parties to support Armenians abroad, Armenian schools, and Armenian-American soldiers serving in World War II.
The tradition to serve the community continues today, with the chapter adding a scholarship program, AYF Camp Haiastan camperships, cultural and educational programs, and contributions to relief efforts for Armenians and the local community. The chapter has been proud to serve the ARS during its first “century of service.”
Contact the Chapter
- arsbergencounty@gmail.com
- Visit our Facebook Page
The ARS “Agnouni”
Chapter of New Jersey
Connect with the Chapter
The ARS “Shakeh”
Chapter of New Jersey
Coming Soon
Connect with the Chapter
- arsnjshakeh@gmail.com
- Visit our Facebook Page
The ARS “Spitak”
Chapter of New Jersey
The Spitak Chapter’s roots are in the former Newark Red Cross Chapter and the later Essex County Chapter. Although its precise founding date is not known, the Spitak Chapter marks its beginning on November 7, 1939 , the date of the earliest meeting minutes of the Newark Red Cross Chapter in the Spitak Chapter’s archive.
As the Armenian community moved from the greater Newark area where the chapter was initially established, the chapter’s name changed to Suburban Essex.
From its earliest recorded days, the chapter was vibrant. Its activities were dictated by the times in which the members lived. From 1940 to 1950, chapter activities included theater presentations; activities related to World War II, such as fund raising activities for war victims,
Christmas cards and packages sent to Newark-area soldiers serving in the U.S. Army, working with the American Red Cross to sew uniforms for U.S. soldiers; contributing college scholarships, fundraising for the Nishan Palanjian Jemaran in Beirut , donating for the establishment of AYF Camp Haiastan, opening an Armenian school, and supporting refugees.
In subsequent years, the chapter participated in ARS relief projects and local community projects, including sending donations to earthquake disaster victims in Iran , assisting 600 immigrants to settle in the eastern United States , and providing monetary assistance to the Nareg Saturday Armenian School .
The chapter’s focus changed with the news of the 1988 catastrophic earthquake in Armenia . The chapter collaborated with New Jersey ‘s other ARS chapters to provide relief for the disaster’s survivors. It was during this period that it was suggested that the chapter’s name be changed to Spitak in memory of the earthquake victims of that city. Although the chapter focused extensively on the earthquake relief effort, it continued to sponsor its many activities to benefit the local community, including an annual picnic, Lenten lunches, tavloo tournament, donations to area Armenian every day and Saturday schools, an annual campership to AYF Camp Haiastan, and maintenance of a social work office at Sts Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, with New Jersey’s other ARS chapters.
The Spitak Chapter continues to move forward, following its local agenda and fulfilling the programs of the ARS’s higher bodies, to preserve Armenian culture and education and to provide charitable assistance. This work has been conducted in a spirit of collaboration and friendship with sister New Jersey ARS chapters.
