City Of Smile Holds Annual Charity Gala On October 4Th

The City of Smile Charitable Foundation hosted its Gala Dinner on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Vertigo Event Venue in Glendale, bringing together supporters and community members in support of children in Armenia courageously battling cancer.

The Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian was represented at the gala by the Rev. Fr. Serovbe Alanjian, who delivered the Primate’s message of blessing and commendation.

During the evening, Fr. Serovbe presented the Primate’s message to City of Smile Charitable Foundation Goodwill Ambassador Salpi Avedissian-Garavaryan, recognizing her steadfast support and immense contribution to the Foundation’s God-pleasing mission of bringing hope and care to children and families affected by cancer.

In his message, Archbishop Derderian emphasized the sacred responsibility of standing beside children and their families during their difficult journey.

“Every child deserves to grow up surrounded by laughter, dreams, play, and the simple joys of childhood,” the Primate stated, adding that when people come together to support a child facing cancer, they remind families that they are not alone.

Reflecting on Christ’s words, “Let the little children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14), Archbishop Derderian said that reaching out to suffering children and their families allows us to become “instruments of God’s love, healing, and hope.”

He commended City of Smile for transforming compassion into meaningful action, describing its work as turning “compassion into action and hope into something tangible”—through treatment, support, and renewed hope for children and their families.

The Primate also reminded those gathered that behind every donation is a child and family whose future is worth fighting for. “There is a child with a name, a face, a family, dreams for the future, and a precious life worth fighting for,” he said.

Archbishop Derderian concluded by praying for the children of Armenia battling cancer, their families, physicians, caregivers, and all those who support City of Smile’s mission, offering a simple message of hope: “You are loved. You are not alone. We are standing with you.”

The gala underscored the power of compassion, solidarity, and generosity in bringing hope to children and families facing cancer and reaffirmed the importance of standing together in support of Armenia’s youngest and most vulnerable.