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Vahan Chamlian


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Vahan Chamlian - Wikipedia

 

Vahan Chamlian (Armenian: Վահան Շամլեան, 1926 – August 11, 2022),[1] was an American-Armenian philanthropist and businessman, and the world's largest dealer of secondhand clothes.[2][3][4][5]

Life and career

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Of Armenian descent, Vahan Chamlian emigrated from Lebanon to the United States in 1957,[4] arriving in the United States with just $20 in his pocket.[6] He eventually founded the company Chamlian Enterprises Inc., which became the world's largest dealer in secondhand clothes.[4] The company employs eight hundred workers in its Los Angeles, Fresno and San Lorenzo locations;[3] he has also opened a factory in Germany.[2] By 1996, Chamlian owned three sorting plants which grossed $78.6 million from the recycling and exporting of used clothing.[2] Some of Chamlian's suppliers include Salvation Army and Goodwill.[3] The largest demand for Chamlian's used clothing comes from Third World countries, in particular West African countries.[3] John, the nephew of Vahan Chamlian, who manages the operations in Los Angeles states the attention to detail is what "makes them the best".[3]

Vahan Chamlian married Anoush, who is also a philanthropist.[4]

He and his wife resided in Fresno, California.[4]

Legacy and philanthropy

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In 1975, Vahan Chamlian along with his wife Anoush raised funds to pay for all expenses for the establishment of an Armenian private school in Glendale, California.[4][3][7] The name of the school became Vahan & Anoush Chamlian. The school, located on Lowell Avenue, continues to function till this day.[7] Vahan Chamlian is noted to have taken "pride" in its establishment.[3]

He was a major contributor to the Armenia Fund, donating as much as $500,000 at a time.[6]

He was a donator of funds for the publication of Armenian related books.[8]

Chamlian met the former president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

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His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, and the Religious and Lay Councils learned with sorrow of the passing of prominent businessman and philanthropist Vahan Chamlian on August 11. In recognition of his service to the Armenian nation, Catholicos Karekin II of the Great of House of Cilicia bestowed the Prince of Cilicia medal upon him in 1984.

Vahan Chamlian, who rose from poverty to become one of the most successful businessmen in the United States, dedicated his life to advancing the Armenian community and the Armenian nation. His most important legacy remains the Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, in Glendale, CA, which since 1975 has educated thousands of Armenian students, who have grown to become successful community leaders and stalwarts in business, medicine, law and other fields. 

Vahan Chamlian was born in Lebanon in 1926 and moved to the United States in 1957, where he became the world’s largest dealer in second-hand clothing via his company Chamlian Enterprises. 

Along with his wife Anoush Chamlian, Mr. Chamlian has been a long-time benefactor of Armenia as well as the Armenian community of the U.S., generously giving to several organizations, including the Armenia Fund, the Western Prelacy, and the Armenian Relief Society, of which Anoush Chamlian has been a life-long member. May God illuminate his soul.  

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