Marilyn Adams A central Iowa woman is among the finalists in a national "hometown hero" competition. Fifty-seven-year-old Marilyn Adams of Earlham is among the finalists chosen by hundreds of thousands of on-line voters over the past several weeks in a contest sponsored by an automaker.

If Adams is named the winner, by a panel of celebrity judges, she’ll take home $100,000 and will win a car for life. Just over 20 years ago, Adams founded Farm Safety 4 Just Kids after her 11-year-old son was killed in a farm accident.

Since the founding in 1987, the group now has 137 chapters in the U.S. and Canada, with thousands of volunteers helping to educate children –and adults– about farm safety and health. The awards ceremony is in mid-March. See more details at www.volvoforlifeawards.com .

Audio: Radio Iowa’s Matt Kelley reports. :42 MP3