Society & Community

Ontario, Calif. – October 12, 2026 -- Service members passing through Ontario International Airport (ONT) can get free meals, snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi and a quiet place to rest at the USO at ONT, which has now been operating for 20 years.

The center helps travelers with more than food and Wi-Fi

The USO at ONT was established to support service members on commercial and military flights between military installations, training exercises, deployments and homecomings. Besides entertainment and a place to rest, staff and volunteers assist with transportation, flight connections and other travel needs.

Anniversary event drew the public on October 8

The nonprofit marked its 20th anniversary with a public celebration on October 8. The event included a ceremony, facility tours and hot dogs served by USO volunteers, as they are for traveling service members and their families every day.

Toronto – October 12, 2026 -- Men facing a prostate disease diagnosis, along with their families and care partners, can now join Let's Huddle, a global patient community offering education, peer connection, and support at every stage of care. Profound Medical Corp. announced the launch of the initiative on Aug. 13, 2026.

The community brings together patients, survivors, care partners, healthcare professionals, and advocates. Its stated aim is to change the conversation around prostate disease through education, awareness, and authentic patient experiences.

Washington – October 11, 2026 -- Soccer fans can buy a limited-edition, U.S. Soccer-licensed scarf where 100% of each purchase goes to RedRover, helping domestic violence survivors stay together with their pets. The Courageous & Comfy Soccer Scarf launched alongside Purina's Purple Leash Project appearance at the U.S. Women's National Team match against Spain at Audi Field.

Mariska Hargitay served as Honorary Captain for the coin toss

Purina, the Official Pet Care Partner of the U.S. Soccer Federation, invited actress, producer and advocate Mariska Hargitay to join the match during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Hargitay, a longtime Purina partner, took part in the pre-match coin toss alongside Cassidy, a 75-pound Golden Retriever, and her handler, Patrice "Pat" Eller.

Cassidy and Eller are a Pet Partners pet therapy team that comforts children who may be called to testify in court.

Ontario, Calif. – October 07, 2026 -- Early registration is now open for Ontario International Airport's (ONT) 5th annual 5K at the Runway, set for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The race gives runners and walkers rare access to the National Guard hangar area beside ONT's runways, combining aviation, fitness and a fundraising mission for the USO at ONT. More than 2,000 runners, walkers, sponsors and supporters took part in the 2026 event.

Last year's race raised nearly $83,000 for military families

A portion of event proceeds benefits the USO at ONT, the third-largest USO airport center in the nation. The 2026 race brought in close to $83,000, pushing the four-year total raised for the organization to $168,771.

Atif Elkadi, CEO of the Ontario International Airport Authority, said the 5K has grown from a novel way to open the airfield to the community into a tradition reflecting connection and support for service members and their families.

Atlanta – October 07, 2026 -- Habitat for Humanity International has named 44 volunteers from 21 countries as its 2026 honorees, recognizing their work building homes, mobilizing communities and advocating for affordable housing during the organization's 50th anniversary year.

Twelve volunteers earned global recognition out of more than 300 regional nominations

In Jordan, Fadi Miqdady led efforts to build 78 homes, rehabilitate more than 370 others and improve water access in remote villages. In South Korea, Sean Ro organized public running and walking campaigns that engaged tens of thousands of participants and raised approximately $5.7 million to support housing for descendants of independence patriots and war veterans. In Kenya, Roseline Asena mobilized residents of the Mukuru Informal Settlement to push for adequate housing, helping bring local priorities into national policy discussions.

Chicago – October 7, 2026 -- On Sunday, October 11, 2026, 263 runners will take on the Chicago Marathon's 26.2-mile course as part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) "Race for Hope" team, turning their mileage into fundraising for mental health research and education.

Team Has Raised Nearly $4.6 Million Since 2010

More than 1,800 participants have run under the Race for Hope banner since the team joined the Chicago Marathon in 2010, collectively raising close to $4.6 million for AFSP. This year's 263-member team is aiming to add nearly $1 million more to that total.

Runners Wear Jerseys With Personal Stories on the Back

Each team member races in a custom jersey featuring the Race for Hope logo on the front and a personal message on the back -- often naming a loved one lost to suicide or reflecting on their own mental health struggles.

Chanhassen – October 06, 2026 -- Life Time (NYSE: LTH) is running its first-ever Get Together. Give Together. Community Week from October 11 to 17, inviting members and staff at its athletic country clubs nationwide to volunteer, work out and donate to local and national causes.

Local clubs choose their own causes to support

Each participating club picks organizations meaningful to its own community. Life Time Winter Park near Orlando is backing All Kids Bike, running a food drive and hosting a botanical garden cleanup. Life Time Fort Washington near Philadelphia is partnering with Girls on the Run for a girls' wellness day covering movement, nutrition and strength. Life Time Shenandoah near Houston is supporting Kids' Meals by having members decorate and donate lunch bags with food items for local children.

Dallas – October 06, 2026 -- The 13th Annual Great Americans Shoot raised $2.4 million for Special Forces Trust, funding mental health care and family support programs for Green Berets.

Held October 2–4 in the Dallas area, the event brought together 25 teams pairing civilian supporters with members of the nation's Special Operations Forces. A clay-target competition took place Saturday at Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville, followed by a multi-gun competition Sunday at Extreme Tactical Gun Club in Waxahachie. Representatives of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders and Air Force Combat Controllers attended.

Midland, Texas – October 06, 2026 -- When a loved one dies, families often don't know where to begin, and a new guide from Willowbrook Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Midland, Texas, lays out the immediate steps to take.

A legal pronouncement of death comes first

Funeral Services Expert Sparky Clark explains that if a death occurs in a hospital, hospice, or nursing home, medical professionals typically handle the legal pronouncement. If it happens at home without hospice care, families must contact emergency services or local authorities before any other arrangements can proceed.

Notifying relatives can be shared among family members

Once death is legally confirmed, families should reach out to close relatives and trusted friends. Clark notes that splitting phone calls among siblings or relatives eases the burden and gives everyone time to inform employers, clergy, and others connected to the person's life.

Seattle – October 05, 2026 -- Atlas Free, an anti-sex trafficking nonprofit, has launched Wayplace, a real-time online database connecting human trafficking survivors across the United States to support services.

The platform currently lists 110 unique services from 100 organizations

Survivors can search for options ranging from long-term residential care and case management to specialized offerings like trauma-informed equine therapy. Users prioritize what matters most to them and connect directly to their chosen program through the platform.

Wayplace requires no downloads and runs entirely through a web browser

The platform was built with survivor safety and privacy as a core design principle, incorporating built-in security features to protect users. Atlas Free says the tool addresses longstanding barriers that made support services difficult for survivors to find or access.