AARP Launches CreateTheGood.org to Provide Traditional and Non-Traditional Volunteer Opportunities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 10, 2009

Contact: AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org

AARP Launches CreateTheGood.org to Provide Traditional and Non-Traditional Volunteer Opportunities

Site offers self-directed service opportunities, how-to videos and ways to serve whether people have five minutes, five hours or five days

WASHINGTON – To help people of all ages answer the call to serve, AARP today launched its new Create The Good Web site (www.CreateTheGood.org) to connect current and potential volunteers –those who are not engaged or who are looking for new and different opportunities – with ways to serve that work for them.

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 50+ volunteers, donors and activists.

“50+ volunteers are critical to ushering in this new era of service—we know they plan to spend more time volunteering over the next few years and we know they need flexibility and options for how they use that time,” said Thomas C. Nelson, AARP chief operating officer. “The general population shares the same needs: this year half of Americans are helping others in more self-directed ways, like giving food or money. CreateTheGood.org gives people of every age ideas for activities they can do on their own, whether they have five minutes, five hours or five days.”

The new site allows users to search for local volunteer opportunities, but they also can find ideas for serving in more self-directed ways. The site has how-to videos for simple service projects people can organize on their own, like weatherizing homes, starting walking groups and starting giving circles. Additionally, the new site allows people to submit their own ideas for self-directed service projects, email the site to friends, and post it to their social networks.

The site launch coincides with the kick off of two major service initiatives in New York City today:

The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)’s I PARTICIPATE and the Cities of Service Coalition. AARP CEO A. Barry Rand joined New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, 18 other mayors, numerous celebrities and representatives from key national service groups to launch the initiatives, which encourage Americans to dedicate more time to service.

Led by EIF, the entertainment industry’s charitable organization, I PARTICIPATE’s 2009 centerpiece is a week-long television event running Oct. 19 to 26. During that week, America’s most-loved TV shows on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC and other networks will spotlight service through scripted programming, segments and PSAs with inspirational messages and storylines about volunteerism. Medco Health Solutions, Major League Baseball and UnitedHealthcare have signed on as sponsors of I PARTICIPATE.

The Cities of Service Coalition, led by Mayor Bloomberg, calls on mayors across the nation to create a blueprint for service in their cities. AARP will support both initiatives by helping activate 50+ volunteers in communities across the country.

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 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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