The Glendale Ghapan Sister City Association (GGSCA) is happy to announce that the 1,700 gifts it collected for pre-school children in Ghapan, Armenia, through its third annual gift drive in October have arrived safely in the hands of pre-school students in Ghapan and surrounding villages.

The gifts, which consisted of school supplies, back packs, toys, small desks and other educational materials for the classroom, were shipped out in October and safely made it to Armenia in early December.

The gifts were distributed to 12 pre-schools in Ghapan and 19 small surrounding villages throughout Armenia just in time for the holiday season.

"We are very excited that the gifts for the pre-school children arrived safely and right before the holidays," said Vrej DerBedrossian, GGSCA board member. "These gifts have put smiles on the faces of these young children who deserve so much more. We couldn't have reached our goal without the help of our supporters and donors. We would especially like to thank the Armenia Fund for their help in sending these gifts to Armenia."

Some of the sponsors this year included the Glendale Rotary Noon Club, Armenian Youth Association of California, Armenian Relief Society of Glendale, St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church, Daylight Adult Day HealthCare Center, Armenian Society of Los Angeles, Tufenkian Pre-School, the Zakarian family, Chamlian Armenian School PTA and the Glendale Community College Armenian Student Association.

This year will mark the GGSCA's fifth year of operations and with the help of supporters mentioned above, the GGSCA will continue to provide disadvantaged children in Armenia with the basic necessities.