FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org
AARP today announced a $1 million donation to aid victims in the devastated Gulf Coast region. This support will come from AARP and its affiliated charity, the AARP Foundation. The Association also announced a dollar-for-dollar match for additional contributions by employees, the all volunteer Board of Directors and State Executive Councils, up to another $1 million. The matching program will be administered through the AARP Foundation.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy. We recognize that, in situations such as this, we must come together as one to serve, to give, to help and to care," said Bill Novelli, AARP's CEO. "AARP will be channeling the much needed monetary aid to local relief agencies serving older adults."
In the wake of the devastating hurricanes in Florida last year, AARP learned first-hand the unique challenges and needs that older people experience following such catastrophic events. As part of our longer term relief efforts, AARP is committed to deploying resources to aid those affected by this disaster. We will draw upon the resources of our local offices and staff and deploy volunteer teams in coming months, after immediate needs have been addressed and conditions are safer.
These teams, working with local AARP chapters, National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) units and other AARP and Foundation volunteers, and in coordination with local authorities, will provide a variety of services including outreach for public benefits and tax preparation services. Assistance to community organizations will also be provided by the Foundation's Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) enrollees in impacted areas.
AARP, which was forced to cancel its National Event and Expo in New Orleans, will offer an opportunity to those 12,000 plus members who had already pre-registered to direct their fees to the disaster relief effort.
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. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50 + educators; and our website, www.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.
