A delegation of Armenian jewelers and building owners from the Armenian Jewelers Association of Western USA paid a visit on Oct. 5 to the Los Angeles Fire Department to offer their condolences for the fallen firefighters of New York City. During the visit, the delegation presented Chief Bill Bamattre of the Fire Department of Los Angeles County with a $20,000 donation to help family members of New York City’s fire department who were victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The group pledged to raise the amount to $100,000 in one month’s time, with the help of other organizations and members of the jewelry district.

Present at the meeting, in addition to Chief Bamattre, were Battalion Chief Allen Hernandez; Sarkis A. Kitsinian, chairman of the Armenian Jewelers Association of Western USA; Peklar Pilavjian, vice chairman of the Armenian Jewelers Association of Western USA; Mardik Oruncakciel and Vahrij Pilavjian, co-owners of St. Vincent Jewelry Center; and Mike Yousoufian, general manager of St. Vincent Jewelry Center.