COAF Hosts 23rd Annual Holiday Gala to Honor Distinguished Leaders

COAF, the Children of Armenia Fund, is hosting its 23rd Annual Holiday Gala on December 12 in New York City. The event aims to celebrate Armenian heritage and honor distinguished leaders who have contributed significantly to the community. This year, COAF will recognize filmmaker Sev Ohanian and philanthropists Pamela and the late Edward Avedisian with its Empowering a Generation Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

Pamela Avedisian, along with her late husband Edward, will receive the Empowering a Generation Award for their extraordinary generosity and longstanding commitment to advancing opportunities for Armenia's children. The Avedisians have been among COAF's earliest and most dedicated supporters, helping to strengthen transformative initiatives that provide young people and families in rural communities with access to education, essential services, and pathways to a brighter future. Their philanthropic legacy continues to inspire generations of Armenians.

Sev Ohanian, an Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning producer and screenwriter, will be honored with COAF's Lifetime Achievement Award. Known for his work on critically acclaimed films such as "Sinners," "Judas and the Black Messiah," and "Creed III," Ohanian has emerged as an influential voice in contemporary filmmaking while remaining deeply connected to his Armenian heritage.

The gala will feature moving stories from young people whose lives have been transformed through COAF's programs, musical performances by talented young artists from Armenia, and special guest appearances celebrating the enduring connection between Armenia and its global diaspora. The event will be co-hosted by Araksya Karapetyan, Emmy Award-winning anchor of Good Day LA, and Haig Boyadjian, COAF's Vice President of Development.

Since its founding in 2003, COAF has worked to strengthen rural communities through comprehensive initiatives in education, healthcare, child and family services, and economic development. Central to this mission is the innovative COAF SMART Center model, which provides children and youth with access to free, high-quality educational programming and opportunities often unavailable in rural communities. Established in 2018, COAF's flagship SMART Center in Lori serves approximately 2,000 students weekly from surrounding communities, offering 19 programs including technology, languages, arts, science, and sports.

Building on the success of the Lori Center, COAF is advancing the development of its second SMART Center in Armavir, with an anticipated opening in 2028. The organization is also planning future expansion into the Syunik region, with proposed SMART Centers in Goris and Kapan. Together, these efforts represent a long-term vision to bring the benefits of the SMART model to children and families across Armenia, regardless of where they live.