Marshall County Emergency Management Agency awarded AARP Grant

The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency is among 16 Indiana organizations selected to receive a 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant, it was announced Wednesday. Marshall County EMA will receive $4,037 to purchase and distribute 100 weather radios to residents in high-risk areas, with a focus on ensuring older adults have access to timely warnings during severe weather events.

The grant comes as part of AARP's 10th anniversary celebration of the Community Challenge program — and its most ambitious year yet. AARP has committed $8.3 million nationwide this year, doubling last year's total, to fund 750 quick-action projects across the country aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, particularly older adults.

Since the program launched in 2017, AARP has awarded $631,633 to Indiana communities through 57 grants to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. This year's 16 Indiana recipients continue that tradition of funding practical, locally-driven solutions.

Grant funds statewide are supporting a wide range of improvements, including upgrades to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness, and other priorities that strengthen social connections and help residents remain safe and independent in their communities.

For Marshall County, the investment is straightforward and potentially life-saving. The 100 weather radios purchased through the grant will be distributed to residents identified as living in high-risk areas — providing a critical lifeline for older adults and others who may not receive severe weather warnings through other means. With Indiana's unpredictable severe weather seasons, the radios ensure that vulnerable residents have a reliable, direct alert system in their homes.

Residents interested in learning more about the weather radio distribution program can contact the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency.

Other grant awards include:

• HOPE of Evansville ($15,000)
  Funding will add accessibility upgrades such as zero-step entries, grab bars and safer lighting to 16 affordable homes, helping reduce fall risks and support aging in place.
• Community One ($2,500)
  This grant will help the Evansville organization install handrails or grab bars in 25 homes for residents age 50 and older, supporting safer and more independent living.
• Fort Wayne City Utilities ($13,275)
  The project will place new benches along a public wetland path, helping older visitors rest and enjoy nature with less physical strain.
• Memorial Park Neighborhood Association ($2,500)
  Support from this Fort Wayne neighborhood grant will install basic home safety equipment through workshops and share prevention information with older residents, improving awareness and access to home modification services.
• YMCA Vincennes ($15,000)
  This funding will improve an existing transportation booking portal so community agencies can schedule rides for older adults more easily, reducing missed appointments and transportation confusion.
• YMCA Vincennes ($15,000)
  Project will add sheltered covers over benches at key public transit stops, making waiting safer and more comfortable for older riders.
• Main Street Corydon ($14,954)
  The grant will add permanent and portable shade structures to the downtown farmers market, helping older adults shop and socialize more comfortably.
• The City of Huntingburg ($17,394)
  The grant will help with the deployment of a portable radar speed sign along high-crash pedestrian corridors, helping slow traffic and improve safety for people walking to essential destinations. Funding for this initiative was made possible with support from Toyota Motor North America.
• Flowers Feed Folks ($12,300)
  This project in Kokomo will add gardening tools, carts and small storage sheds at multiple community garden sites, allowing older volunteers to garden more comfortably while helping others.
• Aspire Higher Foundation ($10,500)
  Grant support will help this Indianapolis foundation install four artist-designed traffic circles on residential streets to slow traffic and connect key neighborhood destinations, making it safer for older residents to walk between housing, parks and community spaces.
• Rocky Ripple Community Association ($6,995)
  Funds will add painted traffic-calming designs at key intersections, helping lower vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety for older residents and visitors in this Indianapolis community.
• The Town of Montgomery ($20,000)
  The project will construct a missing sidewalk segment along a busy curve on Highway 50, creating a safer walking connection between neighborhoods and downtown. Funding for this initiative was made possible with support from Toyota Motor North America.
• Northwest Landing Housing Association ($2,500)
  This effort on the Northwest side of Indianapolis will conduct walk audits to document sidewalk gaps and hazards affecting older residents, helping guide repairs that improve access to daily destinations.
• Porter County Aging and Community Services ($2,500)
  The grant will host home safety workshops teaching older adults practical, affordable accessibility modifications that support aging in place.
• Gibson County Council on Aging ($2,500)
  Support from this grant will offer monthly disaster preparedness programs for older adults, providing guidance, radios and basic emergency supplies tailored to seasonal hazards.
• Carver Community Organization/RSVP program ($2,500)
  This initiative in Evansville will provide disaster preparedness training for older adult volunteers, equipping them with practical skills to protect themselves and assist others during local emergencies.