The “New Year Gift” 2025 program has concluded
On December 29, 2025, in Yerevan, one of the most anticipated and touching initiatives of the “Nor Nakhijevan” Humanitarian Fund, the “New Year Gift” social program, reached its logical conclusion. For five consecutive years, the fund has been implementing this mission as a symbol of care and solidarity, aiming to grant festive joy to the little ones whose families have endured the heaviest hardships of defending the homeland and forced displacement.
This year, the program’s beneficiaries were children aged 4 to 6 from the families of those killed or missing during the defense of the homeland between 2016 and 2023, as well as families forcibly displaced from Artsakh in September 2023. This is the age group where faith in fairy tales and miracles is most powerful, and the fund’s task was to preserve that light in the hearts of the children.
The 159 children who applied for the program and their accompanying relatives were hosted at the Hovhannes Tumanyan State Puppet Theater by invitation of the fund. The theater’s magical atmosphere and the prepared New Year’s fairy tale performance took the children away from everyday worries, transporting them to a world where good and light prevail. After the performance, the most important surprise was prepared for the little ones: a meeting with Santa Claus and his fairy-tale assistants.
The highlight of the event was the handover of carefully selected New Year’s gifts from the “Nor Nakhijevan” Humanitarian Fund. Each gift package, in addition to toys and necessary items, was complemented with sweets, completing the festive mood.
The successful implementation of the “New Year Gift” 2025 program would not have been possible without the massive preparatory work that began weeks before the event. The fund’s volunteers made an indispensable contribution to this process. It is gratifying to note that the volunteer team this year was even more multifaceted; in addition to students, citizens of various professions and Diaspora Armenians joined the initiative, wishing to personally participate in the charitable mission.
The involvement of students from Grade 9 “A” of the Levon Shant School No. 4 should be mentioned with special warmth. Led by School Director A. Zurnachyan and class teacher A. Ghazaryan, the students joined the fund’s growing team of volunteers for the first time, proving that compassion and social responsibility know no boundaries or age. This step by the youth is a prime example of how a healthy and harmonious society is formed.
For the “Nor Nakhijevan” Fund, beyond social assistance, this program has deep moral significance. It is a tribute to the memory of our heroes and a gesture of solidarity with their families. Five years of experience show that such events provide significant psychological support for children, helping them feel that they are not alone and that society values and preserves the peace and smiles of their childhood.
Mher Hovhannisyan, Director of the “Nor Nakhijevan” Humanitarian Fund, noted in his concluding remarks: “This is already the fifth year that our fund has undertaken this crucial responsibility. For us, the ‘New Year Gift’ program is not just an event; it is an expression of our love and gratitude to the families who paid the highest price for our country. Our goal is for every child to feel the spirit of the holiday and be confident that there are people by their side ready to support them.”
This year, the program expanded with another significant initiative. We were joined by children requiring special care—residents of specialized childcare centers.
Under a new direction established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Foundation and the RA Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, New Year gifts were provided to 8 children from the “Kotayk” branch of SOS Children’s Villages Armenia and 19 children from the “Children’s Home” organization of Gyumri.
Dear children, your smiles are our greatest reward. We congratulate you on the New Year and Christmas. May 2026 be a year of cloudless skies, inexhaustible health, and the fulfillment of dreams for you. Be happy by the side of your loved ones.
