AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL BOOSTER CLUB TO SELL KHACHCARD AS
FUNDRAISER FALL 2005

Sheila Dickinson, President of the Amherst Regional High School Football
Boosters Club, encourages Amherst area residents and friends of the
football program to support the Club and the Team by purchasing the
KhachCard.

The Booster Club will soon begin selling the KhachCard as their Fall Fundraiser. Started in 2001, this years edition of the KhachCard packet includes 42 one-time coupons good for first time offers at area businesses, such as a free taco, free DVD rental, half price sandwiches, buy 1 get 1 free UMASS sporting event tickets, and other similar free or deep discount offers. By using the business card sized Card itself, subsequent visits to the local businesses bring continual discounted offers that typically include 10% or more off selected or entire purchases. The Card and coupons are effective for an entire year (through August 2006).

The KhachCard will sell for $10.00 and the Booster Club will earn a hefty
$6.00 for every Card they sell. Dickinson says that the Card should be a
win-win-win situation; the Booster Club earns money that is necessary to
cover unfunded requirements; the people who buy the Card receive valuable merchandise and discounts; and the locally owned and operated businesses attract new customers and repeat patronage. The KhachCard is simply an
opportunity for purchasers to save a significant sum of money while
supporting local businesses and the Booster Club's important fundraiser.

The KhachCard is the marketing idea of Michael Khachadoorian, a member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and a 1999 marketing major graduate of the University of Massachusetts. Michael has "recruited" his father Harry out of his retired status at nearby Lake Mattawa to help him in this small business venture. Although Michael is now working full-time in
photography, his affection for the Amherst area and UMASS keeps his
interest in the local area businesses and fundraisers.

Sheila also wants to thank all of the businesses in this years KhachCard
for their support in making the Card an attractive and worthwhile
fundraising item.

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Khach-ing attention in Amherst, UMass Alum makes good on his degree

GORDON DANIELS PHOTO    Michael Khachadoorian, a University oif Massachusetts marketing major who graduated in 1999, is selling cards for discounts at Amherst businesses. In part, the sales are also a fund-raiser for local groups.

Daily Collegian
April 03, 2003

In these last few weeks of the semester, many of us have simply run out of money. Our funds have been drained so that, sadly enough, the ATM will not even give us our remaining change because ATMs do not spit out dollar bills! However, the need to feed, clothe and even entertain ourselves remains. To save money and enjoy the benefits of being college kids in a college town, there are several remaining options, one of them being the Khach Card.

Begun by University of Massachusetts alumnus Michael Khachadoorian, the Khach Card is a discount card & coupon packet for students and other members of the Amherst community. The card has been mainly targeted at and bought by UMass and Amherst College students as well as members of the Amherst community.

The card costs $12 and comes with 39 coupons for various free things (tacos, tanning visits, pizza, yoga classes and so on). In total, the coupons have an estimated value of over $200.

"For someone who is on the fence of whether to buy a Khach Card packet or not, all they have to do is use two or three coupons, and they make their money back! All the ongoing discounts are just added benefits to the first time freebies, which add up to well over $200," Khachadoorian said. "What some people don't realize is that all these coupons are good for free stuff. They can walk into Antonio's and give them a coupon for a free slice. Walk next door to Bananarama and redeem another coupon for a free frozen yogurt. Walk down Kellogg St. for a free yoga class, and then eat a free appetizer downstairs at Hari’s Bistro (formerly New India Restaurant). There is so much variety, everyone can benefit."

In addition, the actual Khach Card is a discount card in and of itself, so that once one uses up all the coupons, he or she will still receive discounts of 10-50 percent at stores across Amherst.

"I am proud of the quality of businesses I have amassed on the Khach Card. I frequented most all of the places while I studied in Amherst for four years, so a lot of the owners knew me already," said Khachadorian, adding that he thinks "the best thing about Khach Card is that it supports all local Amherst area business. There are no chain stores, no huge superstores. I have chosen places like The Harp, Rafters and The Pub, over many of the chain restaurants on Route 9. In my opinion, the local places are better - much more diverse and original. That's just what I go for, and I like helping out the little guys.  I think in the end, the community appreciates that."

Khachadoorian graduated from UMass in 1999 with a BBA in marketing and a minor in art and sees his card as a way to help struggling students add something to their diet of regular dining commons food or a little bit of color to their skin if they can't get away for vacations. The coupons are also a way to bring vendors in town extra business.

Khachadoorian began his business in 2001 after gaining advertising experience at world renown ad agency TBWA/Chiat/Day. The discount card idea evolved from a high school project.

"During high school, I did this class project where we had to come up with a business plan. We chose to do a local discount card. I got half of the businesses on the card and sold 300 out of the total 500," Khachadoorian said. "It was always in the back of my mind to do something else like that, but something that works better; something that appeals to the consumer more, helps the individual businesses better and something that can also be used by local fundraisers. Throughout my college career at UMass, I would constantly think of ideas for starting my own business. It would change week to week. When I was finally ready to make the big jump and start a business, this just happened to be the latest and greatest idea.  The idea that made the most sense in the long run"

When the card first appeared in May of 2001, only 17 stores had bought into Khachadoorian's idea. This semester's card promotes 39 stores. Each semester, the card's sales and the number of establishments involved have grown.

"Over 90 percent of the stores that advertised with Khach Card last year stayed on for this edition, which ends in August of 2004. They love it," Khachadoorian said.

The Amherst card for this year is effective from April 2003 up until August of next year, which makes this the first time Khach Card is good for over a year.

The New India Restaurant's manager, Jagter Singh, reported that he sees customers using the card and coupons everyday, bringing in more business than usual.

"There are new customers who come and use the card or free coupons, so that does affect the business," Singh said.

Acupuncturist Linda Robinson at Hidas had hopes that her involvement in the project would slowly draw in new interest to the acupuncture field, and it has.

"I've gotten many new clients, but it's not like just going out to eat. I think it's prompting people who are interested to call," she said.

"It's a matter of getting the word out," Bananarama manager Joe Harvey agreed.

"Mostly, we see a lot of the coupons for free tacos,” Bueno Y Sano Shift Supervisor Kelly Cittadini said.

Students seem to be quite happy with all the free stuff and continued savings. While many bought the card hoping to save a few dollars, they have ended up saving a lot more than that in the end.

"This Khach Card packet was the best $12 I have ever spent in my entire life!" Tanya Nolan a sophomore Human Nutrition major agreed.

"The card is a wonderful representation of Amherst businesses," Becky Hanaford, a senior Bachelor of Fine Arts, said.

"I like the Khach Card, because it has me enjoying eating out more," Joe Derosier, a sophomore French major, said.

"I enjoy the card because I find myself going to places I probably wouldn't have gone to without the card," said a satisfied Noah Ditto, a senior plant and soil sciences major.

"For somebody who eats out a lot, it was a good idea buying the card," senior history major Joey Giarusso said.

Ditto hit on what Khachadoorian hoped students would see: the opportunity to try new places for free or a discounted price.

"A typical discount card doesn't really generate new business. All it really does is bring in customers that may already frequent a couple places on the card," Khachadoorian said. "The huge difference with Khach Card is that it comes in a packet with 39 first time free coupons. That is the big seller. And that is what brings new customers to the businesses."

The Khach Card has also been an opportunity for student organizations and groups around town to raise money. Khachadoorian will give groups interested in using the cards to raise money about 100 packets, and for every packet they sell, they receive three to four dollars of the sales money.

The Delta Delta Chapter of the National Honorary Marching Band Service Sorority, Tau Beta Sigma is selling some as a fundraiser to its peers, and also the Amherst Regional High School's Ultimate Frisbee Team is using the Khach Card as a fundraiser for new uniforms. Several other fundraisers include The Navigators of UMass and also the Pelham PTO. 

The Khach Card, Khachadoorian insists, is a useful tool. "I wish I could've had this while I was in school, since I was always pinching pennies," Khachadoorian said.

UMass students and Amherst residents alike are convinced.  It seems as though the Khach Card has secured a place for itself in student discount programs, at least for the next year and a half. 

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Khach Card NEEDS groups, clubs, teams and organizations to help sell Khach Card packets as a fast, easy and profitable way to FUNDRAISE!!!  

Parents of Tots, a non-profit group supporting families with young children in Wakefield, Stoneham, Reading and surrounding communities, is currently selling Khach Cards as a fundraiser and what a wonderful job they are doing!  Check out their new website at www.parentsoftots.org. 

Amherst has many great fundraisers including Iota Gamma Upsilon Sorority, Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, and the Amherst College Hockey Team (Lord Jeffs).