In response to destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, the AARP Foundation has donated $10,000 to two local organizations.

The Salvation Army and Serve Rhode Island were each awarded $5,000 to put toward the cost of emergency relief activities. The grants are part of the nearly $1.3 million that the AARP Foundation plans to contribute to the communities hit hardest by the storm.

“The extraordinary storm resulted in extraordinary efforts by these local organizations that do important work in our community 365 days a year,” said Kathleen Connell, AARP Rhode Island’s state director. “We thank them for their immediate response to people in need, and we thank all those whose Superstorm Sandy donations were matched by AARP. The Salvation Army and Serve Rhode Island are exemplary in their ability to encourage and nurture volunteerism – especially among older Rhode Islanders. We are proud to support them.”

Additional donations will be given to the American Red Cross and organizations in other affected states. •