AARP Foundation Surpasses $1 Million in Donations for Victims of Superstorm Sandy; AARP Increases Matching Donations to $750,000

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just days after announcing on Nov. 1 that it established the AARP Foundation Relief Fund to support victims in the U.S. devastated by Superstorm Sandy, the Foundation today said contributions to the fund have exceeded the $500,000 in donations that AARP and its affiliates committed to match; so the organization has increased the dollar-for-dollar matching contribution amount to $750,000. 

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With millions of people still without power and temperatures plunging below the freezing point, there is still an urgent need for help. AARP and AARP Foundation encourage people to continue to give to the relief fund in order to maximize the donations for those in need.  

The call for continued donations is made even more urgent as a new storm is threatening to hit the Northeast as early as tomorrow, compounding the suffering already being endured by victims of Superstorm Sandy. In recognition of the tremendous response to Sandy's victims, coupled with the enhanced need for support due to the approaching storm, the increased dollar-for-dollar match commitment to $750,000 raises the potential contribution to the relief effort by AARP to as much as $1.5 million.

"We are grateful to all who responded so quickly to help their fellow citizens who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy," said Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP Foundation President.  "As donations poured in from people throughout the country and the news of the storm's destruction continued to develop, we quickly recognized that we needed to increase our efforts."

Jenkins continued, "We are proud to be a trusted resource to help make a difference in the lives of so many. As we hear first-hand from our members and staff in the affected areas, we know that the need for emergency relief still exists. We encourage people to continue to give through our secure web site where 100 percent of their tax-deductible donations will be used to help the victims of this disaster."

In the states most severely impacted – which include more than six million AARP members, their families and neighbors – many people are struggling to recover from the storm's initial Oct. 29 impact. Over the coming months, AARP and AARP Foundation will draw upon the resources of their local offices and staff and engage in continued efforts to help local community organizations aid Sandy's victims.  To donate to the AARP Foundation Relief Fund now, please go to: www.aarp.org/disasterrelief. 

About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is the charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial 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 Americans 50+ and the world's largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming including My Generation and Inside E Street. The 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. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP Foundation