Donations to go to 16 New York Area Organizations to Help with Post Sandy Efforts, Need for Aid Still Exists; Continued Giving Urged

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the heels of Superstorm Sandy and the overwhelming devastation left in its path, AARP Foundation established the AARP Foundation Relief Fund to help with recovery efforts in states like New York.  The fund has already raised nearly $1.3 million to support victims and communities impacted by the storm; $315,000 is headed to organizations in New York State, with a focus on helping older adults.

Donations will be given nationally to the American Red Cross and locally to organizations in these seven states: Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Rhode Island.

AARP and AARP Foundation encourage people to continue to donate to the relief fund in an ongoing effort to earn AARP's match of contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $750,000, raising the potential contribution to the relief effort by AARP and AARP Foundation to as much as $1.5 million.

"New Yorkers, particularly older adults, were hit hard by Sandy. Neighbors, family, friends and the community in New York and across the nation have stepped up to help those devastated by the storm. However, the need is still great and we urge people to continue to contribute so that we can maximize donations and deploy the funds immediately to people still struggling to recover," said Beth Finkel, Manager of Community Outreach for AARP in New York.  "We are asking people to give as quickly as they can with a goal of reaching AARP's $750,000 commitment to match donations dollar-for-dollar."

New York organizations receiving AARP Foundation grants include: Medicare Rights Center, Urban League of NY, Hispanic Federation, Asian American Federation, NAACP of NY, Met Council on Jewish Poverty, Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, City Meals on Wheels, Community Agency for Senior Citizens, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, Volunteers of Legal Services, Council of Senior Centers and Services, Food Bank of NYC, and Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults. Money is also being given to the New York City Police Foundation and the New York City Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund, Inc.

Donating through the AARP Foundation Relief Fund's secure web site ensures 100 percent of tax-deductible donations will be used to help the victims of this disaster. To donate to the AARP Foundation Relief Fund now, please go to: www.aarp.org/disasterrelief.

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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 New York