Get Involved in AARP’s Newest Initiative

AARP was built on a foundation of service. More than 50 years ago, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus made a shocking discovery. On a visit to a former teacher, she found the woman living in an old chicken coop, in poor health and unable to afford medical care. Ethel got mad. She also got organized. After helping that first teacher, she turned her efforts to helping other retired teachers obtain affordable health insurance. She soon discovered that many other older people needed help as well, and in 1958, she founded AARP. Ethel proclaimed that “an army of useful citizens” can do what no one person can.

That commitment to building a better community continues to influence everything AARP does. Whether it’s leading the fight for health care reform or providing the tools and guidance members need to achieve their long-term financial goals in uncertain times, AARP is focused on improving the lives of our members.

Nowhere is that focus more apparent than our dedication to community engagement and civic involvement. More than ever Americans are looking for ways to serve their community and improve the nation. AARP wants to make that easier for everyone through our newest initiative, Create The Good.

Create The Good is a simple invitation for Americans to make more good things happen. By encouraging everyone to give anywhere from 5 minutes to 5 hours to 5 days, we believe we can make our nation a better place. Creating good could not be simpler—you can do it right now, in your own way, on your own terms, on your own time. You can join a group. You can organize a group of your friends and family to create good things, together. Whatever way works—every bit of good counts.

We’ve built an amazing new resource at www.CreateTheGood.org to find or post ways to help your neighbors and your communities. You can find opportunities of all sizes that fit your time and your interests. You can also navigate the site’s “do it yourself” volunteer hub for guides and videos to create the good on your own.

Through Create The Good—both online and on-the-ground—you can make new connections and find organizing tools and ideas to help spread the good.

It is a happy fact that more and more people across America are being good, giving good, and just plain doing good. Visit www.CreateTheGood.org and be a part of the solution in your community.