Harvey response: ‘that’s what we’re all about’

Getty Images AARP & AARP Foundation raised $1.5 million in Hurricane Harvey Relief funds in just 48 hours. Our hearts are breaking over so many lives shattered by Hurricane Harvey. The

storm left unimaginable damage behind and years of recovery ahead. And at our press time, the Caribbean and southeastern U.S. were experiencing another devastating storm, Irma. Still, the

response to the Texas catastrophe has been deeply inspiring. ------------------------- JOIN FOR JUST $16 A YEAR — RECEIVE ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION, BENEFITS AND DISCOUNTS

------------------------- My spirits soared when I learned that AARP’s Texas staff and volunteers were safe, yet wasted no time in lending a helping hand to others. They went to emergency

mega-shelters to sort clothing and food donations. They deployed to smaller, local shelters where resources were thinner. They brought food and necessities to assisted living residents. Tina

Tran, manager of advocacy and outreach for AARP Texas, “kept the trains moving” at the Houston office before setting out to conduct house-to-house checks on elderly residents for

BakerRipley, one of AARP’s community partners. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Write to Eric J. Schneidewind at AARP, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049, or email [email protected]. Neighbor

helping neighbor is an American tradition, and this tragedy showed us once again what the best in us looks like. Within hours of the flooding in Houston, the quantity of food and clothing

donations came close to outstripping demand, and some of the longest lines at shelters were people queued up to volunteer. Another gratifying moment came when AARP and AARP Foundation

announced a relief fund to support hurricane victims, especially those 50 and older, across Texas and Lou-is-iana. Their intention was to match, dollar for dollar, contributions up to $1

million. The mission was accomplished just 48 hours later, thanks to an incredible response from generous donors. With such kindness as inspiration, AARP Foundation increased the match level

for the Hurricane Harvey relief fund to $1.5 million. For almost 60 years, AARP has lived by our founder’s motto: to serve, not to be served. Helping the victims of Hurricane Harvey offered

one more opportunity to demonstrate the wisdom of those words and the incredible power of service.  “I’ve never seen anything as bad as this,” said Juanita Jiménez-Soto, AARP Texas

associate state director for communications, a witness to hurricanes Ike, Katrina and Rita. “But I’ve never seen anything like the spirit of togetherness I see with this one. Everyone is

helping everyone. That’s what we’re all about. As Texans. As Americans. As humans. It will take time, but we’ll get through this.” _Eric J. Schneidewind, President of AARP and National

Volunteer Spokesperson._ ALSO OF INTEREST * READ: Will Hurricane Maria trigger drug shortages? * TAKE ACTION: AARP partners with Miami Dolphins for Hurricane Relief Fund * LEARN MORE:

Stunned Puerto Rico seeks to rebuild after Hurricane Maria BE AN E-ACTIVIST — SIGN UP FOR THE AARP ADVOCATE E-NEWSLETTER