The State - News from June 16, 1989

Nine Soviet children and two adults who were seriously injured in last December’s devastating earthquake in Armenia have arrived in Fresno for orthopedic treatment at Valley Children’s Hospital. Clutching toy animals and balloons and wearing orange baseball caps given to them during a stop in Los Angeles, the bewildered children, some on crutches or in wheelchairs, seemed overwhelmed by the crush of well-wishers and reporters on hand for their arrival at the Fresno Air Terminal. Fresno’s large Armenian population raised money to pay for the Soviets’ trip to America. They will stay in the homes of local residents of Armenian descent and will receive free medical treatment over the next several weeks.