Visionary of Dynamic Bronx Nonprofit to Receive Top AARP Award

BRONX, N.Y., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beatrice (Bea) Castiglia-Catullo of the Bronx will be formally presented with AARP's most prestigious and visible volunteer award for community service at a ceremony on October 30, 2015 in the Bronx, NY.  Castiglia, who founded Regional Aid for Interim Needs, Inc. (R.A.I.N.) 50 years ago and has dedicated her life to advocating for older adults, has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2014 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service. 

AARP selected Castiglia for her remarkable service which has greatly benefited Bronx seniors, supported AARP's vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers.

The award will be presented to Castiglia at R.A.I.N.'s annual gala attended by over 100 community leaders and dignitaries beginning at 6 pm on Thursday, October 30 at Marina del Ray in Bronx, NY located at 1 Marina Dr, Throgs Neck, NY 10465.

"This award acts as a symbol to the public that we can all work together for positive social change, and Bea truly represents this," said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York.  "AARP has long valued the spirit of volunteerism and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors, and the programs they serve."

"Bea is an inspiration, God sent…a miracle doing God's work and being able to continue her promise to God to help those in need," said Dr. Anderson Torres, Executive Director of R.A.I.N.

Castiglia has worked tirelessly to ensure that seniors in diverse communities maintain their dignity despite many challenges and still fulfill their goals and dreams. Castiglia founded R.A.I.N. which has been serving primarily Hispanic seniors in the Bronx for the last 50 years.

Castiglia has an incredible passion and commitment for maintaining quality of life for seniors, advocating for seniors and supporting senior services. Highlights of some of few of Castiglia's impressive accomplishments include:

• Established the R.A.I.N. mobile food kitchen program to help feed the homeless and hungry.
• Assisted in expanding a program to link generations by connecting youth to seniors.
• Created a home care program that helps prevent unneeded institutionalization and hospitalization of older adults.

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

ABOUT AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  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 New York