Community Services

Columbia – September 09, 2026 -- TriStar Bank has put its name on a new community space inside Columbia State Community College's Southern Regional Technology Center (SRTC), a three-story facility that opened in August with a ribbon-cutting celebration.

The Community Room offers flexible seating for study and meetings

Located on the first floor of the SRTC, the TriStar Bank Community Room features an open design with seating and tables that can be arranged for studying, meetings, collaboration or community gatherings. It is one of several named spaces in the building funded through community donations.

Frederick – September 09, 2026 -- Dynamic Automotive will host its 18th Annual Car Show on Sunday, September 27, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at its Urbana location, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County.

Vehicle registration opens at 10 am on show day

Car enthusiasts can register their classic, custom, or modern vehicles starting at 10:00 am on September 27. The family-friendly event will also feature local food offerings and a 50/50 raffle to raise funds for the charity.

New York – September 08, 2026 -- AARP New York has rolled out a Staycation and New York Experiences campaign offering free events, day trips, classes and downloadable postcards to help residents 50 and older stretch their budgets this fall.

Rising utility bills are driving the push for local, low-cost fun.

An AARP report released earlier this year found that 84% of surveyed New Yorkers saw their utility bills increase over the past year, and 88% expect costs to keep climbing. Family caregivers face added transportation, medical and household expenses on top of that, according to AARP New York.

A nationwide survey shows staying home has become the norm.

People Magazine labeled 2026 'Staycation Summer,' pointing to a Monster survey in which 52% of workers said rising living costs kept them home more this summer, 39% cut back on trips, and 37% sought cheaper leisure activities.

Hartford – September 08, 2026 -- Dignity Grows distributed thousands of tote bags filled with hygiene essentials across the Greater Hartford community this school year, supplementing traditional backpacks and school supplies with soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and period products.

The organization partnered with local groups including Templo Fe, The Village for Families & Children, the YMCA in New Britain, and numerous public school districts to get these items to students and families ahead of the new academic year.

Missing hygiene products can keep students out of the classroom

Without consistent access to basic supplies, students may feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, which can affect their ability to attend school and focus on learning. For middle and high school aged girls, a reliable supply of period products can determine whether they attend or stay present at school at all.

Hamburg – September 08, 2026 -- NDR has launched the 16th edition of its annual charity campaign "Hand in Hand für Norddeutschland," this year devoted entirely to mental health among children and teenagers under the motto "MENTAL. STARK. FÜRS LEBEN."

The broadcaster is partnering with the six northern German state associations of the German Red Cross, chaired by the Hamburg chapter, alongside the nationwide Aktionsbündnis Seelische Gesundheit (ABSG). The ABSG alone coordinates more than 100 network partners across northern Germany focused on psychological wellbeing.

One in five children in Germany lives with a psychiatric disorder

Citing figures from Germany's Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, NDR notes that roughly a fifth of all children and adolescents in the country are affected by a mental health condition. Anxiety disorders, ADHD, depression, and learning, eating or addiction disorders rank among the most common diagnoses.

Los Angeles – September 08, 2026 -- ALS Network and the Hellenic ALS Association have announced a joint campaign built around a paddling expedition through the Greek Islands, running October 5-12, to raise funds and awareness for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in both the United States and Greece.

Tom Horton, a longtime supporter of ALS Network, will lead the journey alongside nine family members and friends, honoring his late mother, whose Greek heritage shaped his connection to the country. Donations collected through ALS Network's Greece expedition campaign will fund the organization's work in the U.S., while the Hellenic ALS Association will direct fundraising toward its programs for people with ALS across Greece.

Plainview – September 08, 2026 -- Mid Island Y JCC will officially become Manes JCC after receiving a naming gift from longtime member Dr. Harvey Manes and the Manes Peace Prize Foundation.

The announcement came Wednesday evening at a community celebration at the agency's Plainview location, drawing members, neighbors and supporters from across Long Island. CEO Rick Lewis, board leadership and Dr. Manes spoke at the event, which included the unveiling of the new name.

Three renovation projects are already underway

The gift will fund immediate capital improvements alongside longer-term investments in facilities and programs. Crews are resealing and restriping the parking lot ahead of members' return in September, installing a new floor in the group fitness studio, and replacing fitness center equipment that has been in place since the facility's 2012 renovation.

Orlando – September 07, 2026 -- Fitness Ventures, the largest Crunch Fitness franchisee in the country, will coordinate a 9/11 Remembrance Stair Climb Challenge across 106 Crunch locations nationwide on Friday, September 11, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Participants will climb 110 flights, roughly 2,071 steps, matching the height of the World Trade Center towers. The company expects between 5,000 and 8,000 people to take part across the network, including members, non-members, employees, first responders, and community volunteers.

More than 100 fire departments will climb in full gear

Many participating fire departments plan to complete the climb wearing full protective gear as a tribute to FDNY firefighters and first responders who died on September 11, 2001. The event nearly doubles in scale from last year, when 71 Crunch locations participated, growing to 106 clubs this year.

Oklahoma City – September 07, 2026 -- NBA champion and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has launched The SGA Foundation, a new nonprofit registered as a charity in both the United States and Canada.

The foundation runs as a dual-country registered charity

The SGA Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States and a registered charity in Canada. Its footprint reflects the two places that shaped Gilgeous-Alexander's own path: Ontario and Oklahoma.

"We're building pathways for kids and the families raising them, built on self-belief, growth, and access," Gilgeous-Alexander said in announcing the launch.

San Antonio – September 07, 2026 -- Operation Homefront has opened nominations for its 19th annual Military Child of the Year Award, with submissions accepted through December 1, 2026, for teens who will each receive $10,000, a laptop, and additional gifts if selected.

Seven Winners Represent Every Branch of the Military

The award recognizes one recipient from each of seven branches — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Eligible nominees must be between 13 and 18 years old and legal dependents of a service member or military retiree, demonstrating excellence in academics, civic leadership, volunteerism, athletics, or the arts.