Despite the raging global economic and financial crises, Armenians around the world have made a collective effort to gather a record high pledged donation of more than $35 million in a charity telethon for the rebuilding of Armenia and Karabakh.

The 11th annual Armenia Fund (www.armeniafund.org) telethon on Thanksgiving Day was held in Los Angeles, Calif. USA, but the biggest donation came from Russia, where businessman Samvel Karapetyan pledged $15 million for building a hospital in Karabakh.

“The result of months-long continuous preparatory work and dedication is more than gratifying,” the Fund said in a press release. “A hundred thousand Armenians have rallied around our common goal to rebuild villages of Armenia and Artsakh (Karabakh).”

The 12-hour Telethon facilitated by cable, satellite and internet connections and broadcast worldwide elicited a response from Armenians from the United States, Lebanon, Canada, Argentina, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, France Germany, and other countries.

“We have proved again that our nation is powerful when it is united,” says acting Executive Director of the Armenia Fund Ara Vardanyan. “It is difficult times not only for Armenia and Artsakh, but also for the whole world, given the global economic crisis. However, despite the difficulties and obstacles, the worldwide Armenian Diaspora has extended a helping hand to their compatriots living in villages of Armenia and Artsakh.”