I have a privilege to know James and Marta Batmasian for more than 28 years. A couple of many virtues and talents, I have come across with them as one of the most outstanding members of the Armenian Church in America. For many years, Marta has served in various capacities at the Diocese of the Armenian Church in NY City, and in parishes in Boston and Boca Raton, Fl. Her leadership skills, faith and care for needy people made her indispensable in many endeavors of the Armenian communities and well beyond in the US and abroad. For the last 10 years, Marta put in services a gift bestowed on him by God, and served on the Board of Directors of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) – one of the leading international charities that supports independent Republic of Armenia to become free and democratic country, reaching out to people in need far away from the USA. Being a transformative leader, Marta not only generously sponsored, but also helped FAR to develop and implement multiple projects giving underprivileged people hope for dignified life. The very latest example if the Batmasian Family’s magnanimous gift that would support the development a state-of-the-art Vocational Training Center for Handicapped Children, which would expand FAR’s care and commitment to helping one of the most neglected segments of Armenia’s children during a critical time of their growth and self-discovery. The multiple projects FAR and the Diocese have developed under their guidance and with their generous support are focused on preserving values, creating a culture of decency, responsibility, and compassion. We are so fortunate to have parishioners like James and Marta Batmasian. Their compassion goes beyond usual, they want to make a world a better place, make real differences in the lives of people. As true philanthropists, they impacted thousands of lives directly and indirectly: whether reaching out to the children at risk, or inspiring someone to start a business, or assisting an underprivileged talented kid to complete a higher education, or simply listening to someone’s dreams and trying to empower him or her to be able to make it a reality. They are well recognized in their communities as caring and giving people. Marta has contributed to a number of local charities addressing women’s problems, or supported arts and music. James has a special place in his heart for the most vulnerable children. Marta is a person whose kindness and generosity knows no boundaries. One, who inspires not only through her generosity, but also through her actions, her attention to details, her generosity in sharing her wisdom, her desire to bring up good in people, help them realize their inner potential and talents. This couple has a natural desire to improve the welfare of anyone around them. They embody the meaning of philanthropy in their very being.