AARP and the NFL Players Association Team Up for National Volunteer Effort

Former and Current NFL Players to Volunteer in 17 Communities through AARP Create The Good(R)  

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) today announced they will work together to encourage volunteerism, service, community involvement and giving back. As part of this new alliance, former and current NFL players will join AARP Create The Good to become service ambassadors in their local communities through a variety of activities in 2010.

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The NFLPA and AARP made the announcement today at the annual NFLPA Super Bowl press conference in Ft. Lauderdale. Host of Super Bowl XLIV, CBS NFL Today and AARP's Community Ambassador, James "JB" Brown has been involved with the Create The Good initiative since its launch in 2009 and will help recruit players for service initiatives throughout the year.

"We are excited about this new collaboration between AARP and the NFL Players Association. All NFL players, both active and retired, believe in the importance of giving back to their communities and AARP's Create The Good initiative will allow our players to continue the good work they do alongside the fans who cheer them on," said DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA Executive Director.

AARP Create The Good (www.CreateTheGood.org) is a network of people sharing tools and ideas to help make a difference on their own or in larger groups in their communities. It is powered by AARP and the AARP Foundation's more than nine million volunteers, donors and activists.

Beginning in April 2010 -- National Volunteer Month -- NFLPA players will participate in Create The Good service activities in 17 communities around the country. The NFLPA will also work with Create The Good on two additional national service events scheduled later in 2010.

"There's a new spirit of service sweeping the country and Americans of all ages are rallying to improve our country and our communities," said Barbara Quaintance, SVP of AARP's Volunteer and Civic Engagement Office. "By bringing players out into the communities, we hope to engage more and more people and get them motivated to lend a helping hand."

The NFLPA has a history of encouraging its players to give back to local communities, and for the last seven years has partnered with JB to recognize those who exemplify dedication and commitment to team and community with the JB Awards. Each year, a select group of players are invited to the NFL Players Gala Featuring the JB Awards, an awards presentation hosted by JB himself to honor their individual contributions to their communities.

Now, through Create The Good, the NFLPA and JB are once again teaming up to provide opportunities for people in communities nationwide to join current and former NFL players and get involved in community projects.  In the coming months, Create The Good and the NFLPA will announce additional details about the events scheduled in 2010.

"I couldn't be more thrilled to see AARP and the NFLPA come together on such an important and critical topic," said Brown. "I'm proud to be part of Create The Good and as AARP's national Community Ambassador, I look forward to working with the NFL Players Association to help spread the message about the importance of getting involved and taking action."

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.

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.

ABOUT THE NFLPA

The NFL Players Association is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for all players employed by clubs of the National Football League. Founded in 1956, the NFLPA works to ensure that the rights and interests of NFL players are protected. In addition, the NFLPA strives to be a valuable resource and to maximize player opportunities on and off the field through membership programs and community activities. For further information, visit www.NFLPLAYERS.com.

SOURCE AARP