Year one, in the books
We said we'd raise the money and bring it to Armenia ourselves. In August 2026, we did. Here's the story of our first year — and where we're headed next.
It all started with basketball
For a lot of us, Armenian-American basketball is where we found our people. The teams, the games, the friendships — basketball gave us a community and kept us connected to who we are.
Then we spent time volunteering at orphanages in Armenia and met kids who loved the game just as much as we did, but didn't have the equipment to really play. We came home with one goal: bring something back.
That's how Pass it Forward Armenia started. A small group of us in New York City, a fundraising page, and a plan to deliver everything by hand.
More than $25,000 raised
In our first year, our families, friends, and the Armenian-American community helped us raise more than $25,000. Every bit of it went toward the mission.
That support turned into 300 jerseys, 300 pairs of shorts, and 300 basketballs — plus direct financial support for the organizations we visited. Then it was time to take it all to Armenia.
Our first trip to Armenia
In August 2026, we brought everything we'd raised to Armenia and delivered it ourselves. We visited four organizations that care for children and young people.
We didn't want to just drop things off. We wanted to meet the kids and the people who take care of them every single day — and see exactly where our community's support was going.
Kharberd's Specialized Children's Home
At Kharberd's Specialized Children's Home, we delivered more than 100 NBA jerseys, basketballs, and a TV, along with $1,750 in direct support.
The NBA jerseys meant a lot to us. They're the same jerseys so many of us grew up wearing, and now they belong to kids in Armenia.
Ada Keshishyants Social Rehabilitation Center
At the Ada Keshishyants Social Rehabilitation Center, we delivered 50 basketballs and 50 sets of jerseys and shorts, plus $1,750 in direct support.
Places like this do hard, important work every day. We wanted our support to go straight to them — no middlemen.
SOS Children's Village Kotayk
When we got to SOS Children's Village Kotayk, the kids were away at camp, so we didn't get to meet them this time.
We still left 75 basketballs, jerseys, and financial support, so everything would be waiting for them when they got back. Next time, we hope to be there when the kids are.
Our Lady of Armenia, Tsaghkadzor
At Our Lady of Armenia in Tsaghkadzor, we delivered 75 basketballs, 75 sets of jerseys and shorts, and $1,750 in direct support — and then we got on the court.
We played basketball with the kids, shared a meal together, and got to meet Sister Narineh. It stopped feeling like a delivery and started feeling like a day spent together. That's what Pass it Forward is about.
From an idea to something real
Before August, Pass it Forward Armenia was an idea and a fundraising goal. After August, it was real. We saw where every dollar went, met the people doing the work on the ground, and put faces and names to the places we'd been raising money for.
Across four organizations, we reached well over a thousand people. And we came home with a lot more than photos — we came home knowing this is just the start.
Year Two: Summer 2027
Year One showed us what's possible. Year Two is about doing more of it — and doing it better. Here's what we're working toward.
We want to support more organizations and communities across Armenia, and bring basketball to places we haven't reached yet.
More children and young people with a ball in their hands, a jersey on their back, and a reason to get out and play.
More basketballs, jerseys, and equipment — and more direct financial support that goes straight to the organizations doing the work.
We don't want to show up once and disappear. We want to keep coming back to the organizations we've met and grow with them year after year.
Growing our fundraising and the circle of people behind us, so every year can do more than the last.
Keep connecting the Armenian-American community with Armenia through the game that brought so many of us together.
Our first trip taught us a lot — about planning, timing, and what each organization actually needs. We're taking all of it into Year Two so the next trip is more organized and makes an even bigger impact.
Year One was just the beginning.
Everything we did this year happened because people believed in us. If you want to be part of Year Two, now's the time.
