Gars

The ARS Gars Chapter was established in 1977 in Santa Monica, California.

With the objective of teaching the Armenian language and culture to children of Armenian descent, who were attending public schools, the chapter operated a Saturday School from 1986 through 1998, and the chapter is planning on reopening the Saturday School on October 3, 2014 at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica, Calif.

The chapter provided funding for a room in the hospital facility at the Ararat Home for the elderly in Mission Hills. The chapter continues to sponsor the June luncheon at Ararat Home with the rest of the ARS chapters. Since 1988, the Gars Chapter extended its wings to Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk, during a period which has been crucial and challenging. The chapter sponsored 18 orphaned children through the ARS Sponsor-A-Child program in Armenia and Artsakh, until they were emancipated. The chapter also sponsored renovations at the special education school Ashdarak Number 1 in Armenia.

The chapter has conducted outreach programs and promoted Armenian artists, publications, cultural events and provided financial assistance for research projects, school tuition and camping. The chapter has raised funds through dinner dances and cultural events, while bringing Armenian families together in the Westside.