Appleton, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Friends of the Appleton Fire Department focused on preparedness gaps among older adults living in assisted living communities, where many residents lacked clear guidance and basic supplies to manage everyday emergencies or larger disasters. Fire Department and Emergency Management staff led on-site preparedness sessions that broke complex topics into practical steps and invited residents to ask questions. The project also distributed disaster preparedness kits designed to support both daily safety needs and emergency response. Participants reported that the information was new, easier to act on than past handouts and reduced anxiety by making planning feel manageable. Several residents sought follow-up guidance on evacuation routes and kit items, signaling increased readiness. Strong engagement led to requests for additional presentations, positioning the project as a foundation for broader community preparedness outreach.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Elyria, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Older adults in Lorain County often lacked disaster preparedness resources and faced transportation barriers that made it hard to get emergency supplies. Neighborhood Alliance used its Mobile Seniors program to deliver customized preparedness kits directly to these residents, including essential items and guidance from the county emergency management agency. Community partners and volunteers added supplies, expanding the effort. The kits increased safety and confidence, and one recipient said, "For the first time, I feel like I have a plan..." The program also strengthened ongoing wellness checks and created a model that can continue through community support.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Glenwood, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Glenwood faced rising wildfire threats that left many older adults unsure how to evacuate or prepare their homes, a serious concern in a rural area with limited resources. Mt. Adams Resource Stewards held a "Wildfire Town Hall" where residents signed up for emergency alerts, learned home hardening steps and asked questions of the fire chief. They also created a durable preparedness brochure featuring an evacuation map, a kit checklist and local support links, placing it in high-traffic spots for ongoing access. The brochure's wide distribution and the Town Hall conversations are expected to prompt more residents to take practical steps that strengthen local readiness, and the group plans follow-up events to sustain momentum.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.