Gars

Address

Santa Monica, California, United States

Areas Served

Santa Monica, CA

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.

Chapter Executives

  • Houri Kassabian, Chairperson
  • Sona Chopourian, Vice-Chairperson
  • Sandy Tomassian, Treasurer
  • Marine Andonian, Assistant Treasurer
  • Sonia Vartanian, Secretary
  • Zella Apelian, Assistant Secretary
  • Esther Berberian, Historian
  • Helga Sarkis, Advisor
  • Sylva Husenjian, Advisor
  • Zovig Zeitlian, Advisor
  • Carmen Libaridian, Advisor

School Information

ARS Gars Chapter – Santa Monica, California
School Schedule: Every Friday; Hours 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Helga Sarkis (310) 429-3547, helgasarkis@gmail.com

School Address

St. Martin of Tours School
11967 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Upcoming Events

Upcoming