Society & Community

New York – September 15, 2026 -- Healing New York will present the Second Round Foundation with its Game Changers for Children Award at the 2026 Fall Gala on November 19, honoring the group's youth-focused education and mentorship work.

The gala takes place at New York Historical on November 19

The event runs from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at New York Historical, located at 170 Central Park West. Healing New York, incorporated in 1875 as the nation's first child protection agency, uses the annual gala to recognize individuals and organizations advancing child and family wellbeing.

Bonn – September 15, 2026 -- The "WDR 2 Weihnachtswunder" charity campaign is returning for its fifth year, with the aid alliance Aktion Deutschland Hilft and German radio station WDR 2 launching a donation drive to fight world hunger.

Nearly 50 projects will receive funding this year, the most since the campaign began

Donations collected through the campaign will support close to 50 projects run by Aktion Deutschland Hilft's partner organizations, providing everything from emergency food and clean water to longer-term support for agriculture and livelihoods. Local partners on the ground assess needs, identify vulnerable people, and implement the projects.

Boise, Idaho – September 15, 2026 -- Cobblestone Car Wash is donating $1 from every GrapheneX Express Exterior wash purchased at any of its Idaho locations throughout September to St. Luke's Children's Hospital's pediatric cancer research program.

The initiative coincides with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and applies to all 14 Cobblestone locations across Idaho.

Roughly 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually in the US

Cobblestone and St. Luke's Children's Hospital cite this figure as the basis for the campaign, which aims to fund improved treatment options, new therapy development, survivorship care, and reduced disparities in pediatric cancer outcomes.

Customers simply upgrade their wash to trigger the donation

Any driver who selects the GrapheneX Express Exterior wash at a participating Idaho location during September automatically generates the $1 donation, with no additional steps required.

Denver – September 15, 2026 -- As fall sports and back-to-school activities ramp up, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is pushing parents and coaches to revisit free abuse prevention resources aimed at protecting young athletes.

SafeSport maintains a searchable database of banned individuals

The Center's Centralized Disciplinary Database (CDD) lists people banned or restricted from participating in sport within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The database is updated in real time and free for anyone to search, with guidance available on what to do if a familiar name appears on the list.

Washington – September 15, 2026 -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Ad Council are rolling out new public service announcements and expanded resources at VA.gov/REACH as part of Buddy Check Week, running Sept. 21-25, 2026, within the ongoing "Don't Wait. Reach Out." campaign.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among young Veterans.

In 2023, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for Veterans under 45, with 6,398 Veterans losing their lives that year, according to the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.

Refreshed PSAs target Veterans who question if they deserve support.

The updated "You Are a Veteran" PSAs, developed pro bono by creative agency GSD&M, use Veteran-to-Veteran messaging to reinforce that all Veterans, regardless of when, where or why they served, earned access to care and resources. The ads will run nationwide on donated media placements.

Westlake, Texas – September 15, 2026 -- Animal health company Virbac is inviting pet owners, veterinary professionals and animal advocates to nominate a shelter, rescue or nonprofit for its Every Pet Project donation program, which awards $2,500 each to two animal welfare organizations every month.

Anyone can submit a nomination once a day through the program's website, and any 501(c)(3) registered shelter, rescue or animal welfare nonprofit in the United States qualifies.

The program has already reached 198 charities across 45 states

Since its launch, Every Pet Project has distributed a cumulative $500,000 in donations, driven by more than 150,000 public nominations.

Virbac says the funding is meant to help organizations facing rising intake numbers, limited staff and growing demand for veterinary services.

Aßlar – September 13, 2026 -- Relationship coaches Jonathan Makkonen and Janine Förster argue that a respectful breakup starts long before any divorce paperwork is filed, not after it. The pair, founders of coaching practice Das Relationship, say the decisions couples make during a healthy relationship determine whether a later separation turns into years of conflict or a manageable transition.

Parenting duties continue even when the couple relationship ends

Boston – September 13, 2026 -- Boston Children's Museum will host Gabby's Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Days from September 18 through September 20, 2026, offering families a free costume character Meet & Greet included with paid museum admission.

Three days of Gabby-themed activities run 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The event, presented in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation and the Association of Children's Museums (ACM), returns for a second year at the Boston location. Programming includes a Storytime session, a Gabby Cats scavenger hunt, a dance party with DJ Catnip, and a craft activity making Hamster Kitty Fairies.

Advance reservations are required due to limited capacity.

Families can register through the museum's website ahead of the event. Regular museum admission applies -- $24 for adults, children ages 1-15, and seniors -- while children under 12 months and museum members enter free.

Atlanta – September 12, 2026 -- Georgia Power is urging its 2.8 million customers to prepare emergency kits and evacuation plans as hurricane season nears its peak this month.

The utility is partnering with federal and state agencies for National Preparedness Month

Throughout September, Georgia Power is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to promote readiness. The state has not yet seen a major hurricane or tropical storm this season, but officials say advance planning still matters for homes, businesses and communities.

Irvine, Calif. – September 12, 2026 -- LA Fitness will host its first-ever 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb from September 11-13 at select clubs nationwide, inviting participants to climb 110 flights of stairs on StairMaster machines in tribute to the World Trade Center's 110 stories.

The event, organized by operator Fitness International, LLC, is open to members, guests, local first responders, and community members. Some locations may feature firefighter appearances, special fitness classes, live DJs, and local vendors alongside the stair-climb challenge.

First responders get a free 30-day guest pass

Fitness International will offer a complimentary 30-day guest pass exclusively for first responders, giving them access to LA Fitness amenities and equipment. The pass must be redeemed between September 11 and September 13, 2026 at participating clubs.