Dear friends of the Vahagn Setian Charitable Foundation,

In my previous correspondence I’ve described the Beverly Hills Police Department Relay Team’s participation in the Baker-to-Vegas road race as “grueling.” As it happens, that adjective wasn’t nearly strong enough! We underestimated the brutality of this year’s relay — 110 miles of desert with unseasonably savage 110-degree weather. The teams started from Baker on Saturday afternoon and crossed the finish line in Las Vegas on Sunday morning.

Dozens of runners literally dropped from exhaustion. Some had to be airlifted to hospitals for treatment.

But all our BHPD runners finished! The team took 4th place, barely a minute behind their colleagues (and cross-town rivals) from West Hollywood, whom they beat last year for 3rd place. Our runners’ spirit, determination and unfailing good cheer remain an example to all. They did everything to justify our support. We had almost half of our department involved, we had community support, and the involvement of retired officers, volunteers, relatives and everyone came together to make Beverly Hills shine.

This June the Foundation and the B2V Team will jointly present our annual scholarship to a Beverly Hills High School student that best exemplifies the values Vahagn himself embodied.

Also, you will see the same team this coming December 2nd in the Second Annual Vahagn Setian Memorial Run. Sometime this fall we will update you with more details of the event, and remind you of the importance of your ongoing support. Until then, once again we offer our thanks for your generous help, which lets us carry on our important life-saving work.

In sincere appreciation,

Karén Setian
Chairman of the Board of Directors