AARP Joins Entertainment Industry Foundation to Encourage Americans to Volunteer
Source: AARP Press Center
AARP Joins Entertainment Industry Foundation to Encourage Americans to Volunteer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 19, 2009
Contact:
AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org
AARP Joins Entertainment Industry Foundation to Encourage Americans to Volunteer
Series of service-related activities to take place locally and nationally
WASHINGTON – AARP’s Create The Good today announced a series of activities taking place across the country in collaboration with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s iParticipate national initiative to promote volunteerism.
Create The Good is a network of people sharing tools and ideas to help make a difference in communities across the country. It is powered by AARP and the AARP Foundation’s more than nine million volunteers, donors and activists.
“We stand at an incredible moment in time,” said Thomas C. Nelson, AARP chief operating officer. “This week, government, the private sector, the non-profit world and people in communities across the country are coming together to give back. We encourage AARP members and people of all ages to serve, even if they only have five minutes. CreateTheGood.org has ideas for all sorts of activities they can do on their own or with a group.”
AARP service-related events happening nationally and locally this week include:
* 5-time GRAMMY® Award winner and EIF iParticipate ambassador Faith Hill appears in a new public service announcement (www.YouTube.com/CreateTheGood) that encourages Americans to volunteer their time to make America a better place. The spot is one of a series of PSAs to be launched this fall on all major broadcast networks to promote volunteerism through EIF’s iParticipate and Create The Good.
* ESPN Deportes sportscaster and AARP’s Hispanic ambassador, Jorge Ramos, will appear in an announcement this week airing on Univision, Telemundo and V-Me, to encourage Hispanics and their families to volunteer. The ad will highlight examples of how people can do good, whether helping paint a local community center or helping a neighbor save on energy costs during the winter.
* AARP volunteers in communities across the country are making a difference; highlights include:
o In Michigan, AARP volunteers will gather gently-used books, musical instruments and sports equipment for Detroit Public Schools; help Okemos-area residents safely shred confidential documents; and help a Kalamazoo resident make much-needed repairs to her home.
o AARP’s Virginia state office is hosting a statewide food drive with 100 different drop-off sites.
o In New York, AARP volunteers will complete service projects in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, New York City, Rochester and Syracuse.
o AARP’s North Carolina state office will host a tele-town-hall meeting on emergency preparedness.
CreateTheGood.org offers local volunteer opportunities as well as ideas for self-directed activities and How To videos for simple service projects people can organize on their own, like weatherizing homes, starting healthy walking groups, fighting fraud, preparing for a hurricane and other needs.
AARP has joined EIF, to support their ground-breaking campaign—iParticipate (iparticipate.org)—a multi-year campaign designed to motivate millions of Americans to volunteer regularly. As a centerpiece, beginning October 19, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and other broadcast networks will spotlight service on more than 90 shows through scripted programming, segments and PSAs during an unprecedented, week-long television event.
For more information about Create The Good or media opportunities surrounding service projects, please contact Elly Spinweber at espinweber@aarp.org or 202.403.9645.
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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