Message From AAS-A President

Dear volunteers and supporters of the Assyrian Aid Society of America (AAS-A),

With the beginning of a new year comes the responsibility of leading this beloved organization. Following up my position as the AAS-A Central Valley Chapter President, I have been mentored by the former AAS-A President, Mr. Ashur Yoseph, for the last six months and I have been involved in all the decisions and activities of the AAS-A Executive Committee. I am delighted and honored to serve as the new AAS-A President and I will strive for the same goals that this humanitarian organization has upheld since inception which is to provide for Assyrians in need around the world primarily in the homeland. I look forward to seeing how our dedicated team of volunteers will help shape and enrich this organization and what the future holds for it.

With the help of our volunteers and officers, we will continue the fundraising events we have held in the past including the Mesopotamian Night concert, fundraising dinners such as the Narsai’s Taste of the Mediterranean and King Ashurnasirpal Gala and other local events that have successfully represented AAS-A. Furthermore, we will continue to raise much needed funds to implement the charitable projects and we will continue to focus on maintaining and supporting the K through 12 Assyrian schools in northern Iraq which teach all subjects in the Assyrian language.

Our plan is to also strengthen our social media presence allowing us to build our relationship with the youth and wider, online audience. We believe that by sharing the mission and accomplishments of AAS-A with the younger generation, we will increase engagement in the community and encourage them to join this noble cause.

In April 2020, I will embark on a trip to the homeland to visit our people and meet with our sister organization, the Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq, and we will devise a plan to not only continue our humanitarian efforts but to also improve and advance the lives of our brothers and sisters. Moreover, in conjunction with the collaboration from other organizations, we will be able to complete much larger scale projects and create a significant impact on our nation.

I look forward to working with all of you and to hearing all the innovative ideas you have to grow our organization and help our beloved nation. I ask that you make it your personal mission to make your monthly donation, support our Lifeline and Adopt-A-Student Programs, join our events and invite family members and friends to help. As the President, I put my best foot forward and I have not only personally pledged the AAS-A Lifeline and Adopt-A-Student programs, but I am committed to bringing this organization to the next level. Together with the Board, our volunteers, and supporters, we have lots of work ahead and I look forward to this journey.

Sincerely,

Antoine Varani

President, Assyrian Aid Society of America