ORIENTAL RUG IMPORTERS ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHES CHILD WELFARE FUND
SECAUCUS, NJ -- The Oriental Rug Importers Association has incorporated the ORIA Child Welfare Fund, Inc., as a charitable tax-exempt organization, according to Andrew Peykar, president of ORIA.
Initiated during the tenure of ORIA president Mikel Banilevi, the organization's new tax-exempt status will allow it to solicit fully tax-deductible contributions from retailers and wholesalers for the purpose of improving the health, welfare and economic status of needy children and their families in major carpet weaving districts around the world. The funds will be distributed in their entirety to support existing non-governmental organizations that haveestablished schools, health clinics and other assistance programs, according to the ORIA.
Officers of the new non-profit organization are: Mikel Banilevi, president; Andrew Peykar, vice-president; and Arash Yaraghi, treasurer. ORIA executive director Lucille Laufer will serve as the organization's director. The foundation will conduct business from the ORIA offices at 100 Park Plaza Drive,Secaucus, NJ 07094.
"The ORIA and its members have been financially committed to improving the lives of children in rug weaving counties for over a decade. In reviewing existing overseas agencies and programs, we concluded that the ORIA'S humanitarian efforts could be most effectiveby concentrating on raising funds to support already existinginitiatives" stated Banilevi.
"Our aim is to minimize operating expenses so that nearly 100% of the donations we collect can be sent overseas."
Added Peykar: "We are delighted to receive certification as a non-profit organization. Although the ORIA has been successful in soliciting donations from its members for several relief efforts in recent years, we anticipate that our new tax-exempt status will encourage even greater support from retailers and wholesalers in our industry."
In coming months, the ORIA will announce specifics information for its fund-raising plans, according to Laufer.