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20 Ways AARP Took On 2020

How we've been fighting for you during a challenging year

spinner image montage of images from this year clockwise from top left are phil donahue and marlo thomas a fitness tracker wristband a laptop showing a person doing a home workout popcorn a mobile with the a a r p app showing and a protect fifty plus voters button
Shutterstock / Jim Wright / Chris O’Riley / Getty Images / AARP

Let's face it: This has been a rough year. But that hasn't stopped AARP from producing lots of work that has made us proud. Much of that effort involved our response to COVID-19. But we also educated voters ahead of the election, helped protect you from fraud and brought some fun into your life.

Here are just a few of the things we hope made you feel good about being an AARP member in 2020.

1. AARP successfully advocated to have eligible Americans on Social Security included in the $1,200 stimulus payments Congress passed in March to offset the economic ravages of COVID-19.

2. When nursing homes were hit hard by the pandemic, AARP fought to protect residents and staff, helping pass more than 175 new executive orders, laws and regulations designed to save lives.

3. AARP launched Community Connections, an online platform that links people with support programs.

4. AARP helped produce a report on women's brain health that focused attention on this critical issue.

5. The AARP Bulletin and AARP The Magazine won scores of awards while providing in-depth pandemic coverage, as well as features like interviews with the presidential candidates.

6. The Get Moving Wherever You Are video series helped homebound people stay in shape.

7. "Superstar 2020” was a fun contest held this year to recognize an older American whose singing talent had gone undiscovered.

8. AARP Rewards saved members who joined the program more than $2 million this year while supporting their communities.

9. More than 30 national tele-town halls kept people informed and entertained, with guests ranging from top health experts to Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas.

10. When COVID-19 put many of us out of work, AARP launched aarp.org/jobloss to help the job hunt, along with the AARP Job Board.

11. AARP's Protect Voters 50+ campaign helped older voters cast ballots and find information on issues.

12. Reaching more people than ever, aarp.org greatly expanded its news coverage this year.

13. Ethisphere named AARP one of the world's most ethical companies for the second year in a row, and The Washington Post named us one of 2020's top workplaces for a third year.

14. An expanded AARP Money Map debt manager helped people tackle their debt with a step-by-step plan.

15. The AARP Fraud Watch Network gave more than 5 million visitors to its web page the latest tips on spotting scams, while our helpline fielded calls from about 80,000 people reporting suspected fraud.

16. Our Movies for Grownups franchise held hundreds of free film screenings, many of them virtual after COVID-19 hit.

17. At our annual Celebration of Service, AARP members and volunteers donated more than 1 million food servings to those in need.

18. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide served more than 1.5 million taxpayers, many of them online, in 2020. Over 36,000 volunteers helped secure more than $1 billion in federal income tax refunds.

19. The Disrupt Aging Collection, launched with Getty Images, grew to 5,600 photos that help explode aging stereotypes.

20. AARP Foundation generated $100 million for older adults through programs like BACK TO WORK 50+.

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