AARP Lunar New Year: Year of the Tiger

For the second year in a row, AARP is proud to help underwrite the San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade’s public art installation on display around San Francisco in celebration of Lunar New Year. AARP’s Posterity Tiger is one of six life-size tigers titled “Year of the Tiger on Parade” being showcased now through February 19 by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

AARP commissioned local renowned artist Yumei Hou to design and create the Posterity Tiger currently on display in front of the Asian Art Museum in Civic Center. Hou’s mastery of the folk art of paper cutting is incorporated into the design of the statue. The word “shou,” meaning longevity, is forged on the smiling tigress’ head. Her ears and eyes are cut with two longevity peaches (lotus seed buns) to represent health and happiness. The zigzag pattern along her back signifies a happy family, and the two cubs—one on her belly and the other on her side—signify success. Sunflowers on her chest symbolize hope, and the peach on the inside of the leg represents health. Hou also designed the two large-scale, laser-cut metal artwork installations for the new Chinatown Station as part of San Francisco’s Central Subway Public Art Program.

All Tiger statues will be auctioned off with net proceeds benefitting several local nonprofits, including Self-Help for the Elderly, Community Youth Center of San Francisco, Southeast Asian Development Center, Chinese Community Health Resource Center, and Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco.

Daphne Kwok, Vice President, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience Strategy in AARP’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion stated, “Over the past year, Self-Help for the Elderly has been on the front lines of combatting the double pandemic – COVID and anti-Asian hate – directed to our elders. AARP is committed to helping ensure that Self-Help for the Elderly and other important organizations serve and protect our elders every single day.”

“We’re thrilled to once again be chosen as a community nonprofit recipient of the Parade’s auction,” said Anni Chung, President and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly.  “AARP’s continued generous support has allowed us to help expand critical programs and services like home health care and hospice, senior escort, Alzheimer daycare, and home-delivered meals.”

The Year of the Tiger on Parade auction will run from February 21, 9:00 AM PDT to February 27, 9:00 PM PDT. Visit tigeronparade.givesmart.com to learn more about AARP’s Posterity Tiger statue, when and how to bid, and the local nonprofits.

AARP’s virtual Lunar New Year Photo Booth is another fun way to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. In a modern twist to the classic photo booth, visitors to digitalbooth.co/aarplunarnewyear can text or email a digital photo to their phone to send to family or friends or share on social media now through February 18, 2022.

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  • Credit: Knight Lights Photography

About AARP:

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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