There are services in the human society which in some way contribute to the welfare of a community or a nation. In the case of the Armenian people, this service is further emphasized through ARCL by the help of its legion of hundreds of volunteers, reaching to the needs of the people, especially in the alarming and troublesome days. Now, these selfless, charitable volunteers who believe in the mission of ARCL will add their essential contribution to the benefits that this humanitarian organization brings by sharing the pain of the needy, giving financial support in order to ease the difficulties faced by university students and students in general, and ultimately delivering their impeccable service to the Armenian people through ARCL. Thus, the feeling of little gratitude towards the legion of the ARCL volunteers inspires them to continue their commitment and dedicated mission. In this regard, a unique ceremony titled "The Day of the Volunteers" was organized by the ARCL Regional Board’s Promotions Committee to worthily honor the volunteers. The ceremony took place on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at the Marash Compatriotic Union Hall, under the auspice of Archbishop Nareg Prelate of Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon. The representative of Archbishop Nareg the prelate of the Armenian prelacy of Lebanon, Preacher of the Diocese of Lebanon Senior Priest Anania Koujanian, representative of ARS central committee Nelly Vekilian, members and volunteers of the ARCL were present at this gathering.
After listening to the marches of Lebanon, Armenia, and ARS, in the name of the promotions committee of ARCL, the opening word was delivered by Sevan Garbedian Atamian. She mentioned that the charitable army of the ARCL volunteers has come from years of profundity and is striving to build a road to the future. The only vision of the founding members is to serve the Armenian people for the sake of the nation’s prosperity and uplifting, and in return have great satisfaction in the heart and soul. Sevan Garabedian Atamian made a definition of the word "volunteer" and stated that ARCL's volunteer should never hesitate, falter, or the spirit of service diminish in her. The Armenian nation needs this army of volunteers so that we can continue this hard work of “preserving the Armenian identity” which is placed on our shoulders and transfer the education of the Armenian identity to the future generations. After that she congratulated all the volunteer comrades on behalf of the promotions committee and wished them to become an example for others by their consciousness and high integrity.
The orator of the day was Luiza Baboyan Azezian. She said that time is the most precious thing in life. We give our time wholeheartedly to our family members and loved ones. The ARCL volunteers dedicate their time to the children of their nation by reducing the time given to their families and children, something that is very much appreciated. The Armenian people have always been lucky with unassuming volunteers who have served the nation, the Armenian culture, the Armenian language, the education, the elderly and the needy.
She highly appreciated “The International Day of Volunteers” mandated by the UN through which we recall each year the volunteers and how they dedicate from their time and spirit.
ARCL being just a women's organization has extra commitments. She noted that today when human values have fallen, these women are still able to distinguish these values because women are revolutionary. They can properly educate and resist this current. If we do not safeguard our national values, we will be the first to suffer. Today we have survived thanks to our volunteers who have been armed with our national values, and they worked to pass the torch from generation to generation.
The second challenge is the development. This is the age of development. We cannot face new enemies with outdated weapons. She stated that development is not accomplished by attending university alone. We can achieve new knowledge through self-development methods.
In the final part of her speech, she referred to the fact that after our death our gravestones will be engraved with two dates birthday and death, and the dash between these 2 dates. This dash is our life. The time we spend on this world. With our decision, that dash can be important and bring a change to humanity and our family, and that decision concerns each one of us. Quoting Simon Vratsian, she called for the growth and concentration of the ranks in solid and untiring volunteerism and wished that the ARCL's sunlight would be bright and always reach every corner, and will transform into an army of light in this dark age.
The ARCL’s regional Board chairperson Silva Sabounjian handed a souvenir to the lecturer.
Presenting an artistic program, the students of Parsegh Ganachian Music School of Hamazkayin: Ari Dakessian with guitar, Alex Dabaghian with guitar, Nareg Keshishian with Dhol and Gacia Ejidian with shevi performed Armenian and international songs, and Njteh Bodroumian inspired the attendees with patriotic songs.
The representative of the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon father Anania Koujanian transmitted the blessings of the Archbishop Nareg the Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon. He cited the words of the "Volunteer's Song" and said that this life is a battle, a struggle and a goal. In all of these, the heroes are the ARCL members and volunteers who never dream of the glory and the material. The holy father mentioned that a volunteer never asks for human appreciation because this appreciation is limited and the member of the ARCL assumes his appreciation only from God. The first pledge of service is love for our mission and in regard to our fellow humans. When you accomplish your mission or job with love, it already becomes a success based on love. He expressed his joy to see this army of volunteers. ARCL is not only a name, appearance, a flag, a statement, but also a mission and service. This is the criterion of the volunteer. Then the holy father listed all the blessings that the volunteers deliver to the Armenian people through ARCL. He characterized ARCL as the mobile church of the Armenian people especially in the life of the Lebanese-Armenian, when the member of ARCL brings with her love, respect, faith, fervor and dedication.
Then the holy father summed up his speech and said that any mission which performs as a fist (in solidarity) wins. He expressed his readiness to be added as strength, and courage to the fist of the volunteer, and to bow in front of its greatness.
