Two Preston County organizations were recent recipients of the National AARP Community Challenge Grant Awards. Arthurdale Heritage Inc. received $10,025 and the town of Reedsville, $5,000.
According to an AARP news release, the Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, with an emphasis on those 50 and older.
Elizabeth Satterfield, curator and director of education for Arthurdale Heritage Inc., said the AARP grant funds will be used to add additional doggy stations, a bike rack, outdoor permanent trash cansand other amenities for visitors.
“We’ll also be using some of the funds to repair one of the sidewalks, and add benches so seniors and visitors will have a place to sit down and rest,” she said.
According to its website, Arthurdale was the nation’s first New Deal homestead subsistence project, which was championed by then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The first homesteaders arrived in 1934 and each property was 2 to 5 acres to allow families to raise food and livestock. Modern amenities not commonly available around the country at that time — electricity, indoor plumbing and a refrigerator — were provided to all 165 homes constructed by the federal government as a way to help families during the Great Depression.
This ground-breaking project’s public buildings have been restored by residents who appreciated this second chance at life and knew the value of preserving it. A five-building museum is now open to the public year-round to tell the special story of the First Lady’s legacy.
For more information about events and Arthurdale Heritage go to arthurdaleheritage.org or call 304-864-3959.
Reedsville Town Clerk Danielle Spiker said the $5,000 grant will be used to add a drinking fountain to the town’s park. She said the fountain will be ADA-compliant, with three tiers.
“The top level can be used to fill outdoor bottles, the bi-level section is a regular fountain and there will also be a pet station.” she said. “If the cost is more than the $5,000 provided by the grant, the town will pick up the difference.”
For more information about Reedsville and the Park go to the town’s Facebook page.
According to the news release, this year, the AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building micro-grants for improving walk-ability, bike-ability and accessible home modifications and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions and improving digital connections to endure disasters.
With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and much more. AARP is also bolstering its investment in community resilience, rural communities and addressing disparities.
