Society & Community

Spiceland, Indiana – September 30, 2026 -- The Spiceland National Youth Campus officially opened its doors this past weekend with a culture and sports festival that drew young people, families and guests from across the United States.

Sports Teams Traveled Nationwide to Compete at the New Campus

Teams from around the country arrived in Spiceland, Indiana, to compete and connect during the opening weekend. The festival also featured live music, a fashion show, artisanal vendors and family-friendly activities, drawing attendees from all walks of life for a weekend centered on community and culture.

Austin, Texas – September 29, 2026 -- HealthCode and Professional Contract Services, Inc. (PCSI) are inviting people of all ages to join the "No Barriers" virtual activity challenge throughout October, timed to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Participants log miles or minutes on an online tracker starting October 1

Registration opens on the No Barriers sign-up page, where individuals or organizations can track walking, running, biking, rolling, or stretching activity. A program leaderboard updates throughout the month with results from participants worldwide. Employers and organizations can register separately at healthcode.org/organizations.

Hollywood, Fla. – September 28, 2026 -- Hard Rock International has kicked off its 27th annual PINKTOBER campaign, a monthlong fundraising push tied to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The initiative spans Hard Rock's hotels, casinos, cafes, Rock Shops and digital platforms worldwide, directing proceeds to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation for breast cancer research and patient support. Since its launch, PINKTOBER has raised more than $15 million.

American Cancer Society returns as this year's partner

The Hard Rock Heals Foundation is again teaming with the American Cancer Society to fund advocacy, research and patient support programs. Stephanie Piimauna, Senior Vice President of People & Inclusion at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, said the campaign reflects the brand's commitment to community and compassion.

Camden, N.J. – – September 28, 2026 -- Subaru of America is rolling out SubieCrew, a new owner engagement program that will establish 50 local chapters across the U.S., giving Subaru drivers structured ways to meet up, volunteer and shape brand events in their own communities.

Nearly 700 ambassadors will lead new city chapters

The program is powered by close to 700 volunteer ambassadors, who will fill roles such as Chapter Lead, Director and specialized team members at each of the 50 chapters. Ambassadors organize events ranging from Cars & Coffee meetups and trailhead gatherings to pet adoptions and community cleanups, with support from Subaru of America and its national retailer network.

San Diego – September 28, 2026 -- Students in grades four through nine across all 50 states and D.C. can now enter a free national challenge that rewards kids for rescuing food and fighting hunger in their communities, with entries accepted through March 12, 2027.

The Hunger Action Heroes Unite! National Challenge, launched this month by the youth education arm of Feeding San Diego, asks students to identify a real way to fight hunger or food waste, take action, document it with photos and video, and answer three reflection questions. A parent or guardian submits the entry.

Vermont – September 28, 2026 -- Ben & Jerry's is donating $1 from every freshly baked waffle cone sold during a two-week program to grassroots organizations focused on civic engagement ahead of the midterm elections.

The campaign, called Waffle Lotta Good, directs proceeds to community groups nationwide.

These organizations work on voter registration, access to election information, and strengthening community participation in the democratic process. The initiative runs for two weeks at participating Scoop Shops.

Ben & Jerry's Social Mission Director frames the purchase as a form of civic action.

"Grassroots organizing is the most powerful tool we have against the erosion of democracy," said Carleen Pickard, Ben & Jerry's Social Mission Director. She said customers buying a waffle cone directly fund activists who "build that power from the ground up," including people who knock on doors and register voters.

Xenia – September 25, 2026 -- Cyclists, families and history enthusiasts can register now for the United Way Americana 250 Cycling Classic, a new fundraising ride set for Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio.

The inaugural event, part of the Tour de Gem Cycling Series, runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers four routes: the 10-mile Liberty Ride for families, the 25-mile Pioneer Expedition, the 40-mile Heritage Quest, and the 64-mile Patriot Tour, a metric century connecting several Greene County communities. All rides begin and end at the fairgrounds, located at 120 Fairground Road.

Greene County's paved trail network anchors the route selection

Organizers chose Greene County as the event's centerpiece because it hosts the largest paved trail network in the nation, according to the announcement.

Vernon Hills, Ill. – September 24, 2026 -- Mellody Farm will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., mixing free daytime activities with ticketed evening food, drink and bonfire experiences across the Vernon Hills shopping center.

A shopping-center scavenger hunt anchors the day

The Mellody Farm Harvest Haul invites guests to pick up a free card at check-in and collect fall-themed stickers from participating retailers, restaurants and activities. Visitors who complete at least eight stops can redeem their card for a free fall-themed Mellody Farm item, while supplies last, and enter a prize drawing that includes a two-night stay at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, a Hydrafacial from OVME Medical Aesthetics, items from European Wax Center and a prize from SITKA Gear. The grand prize will be announced at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Washington – September 24, 2026 -- Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) debuted its new podcast, "Voices of PVA," on September 22, with new episodes releasing every other week starting October 6.

The audio-only show targets veterans and the broader disability community, including people living with spinal cord injuries or diseases (SCI/D) such as MS and ALS. The first season will run 24 episodes total.

Two hosts bring personal and professional ties to disability issues

The podcast is hosted by Al Kovach, a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran, Paralympian, and editor-in-chief of Paraplegic News and Sports 'N Spokes magazines, alongside PVA reporter Chad Stewart. Each episode features guests ranging from veteran athletes and policy leaders to caregivers and researchers.

Olney, Md. – September 24, 2026 -- Field of Screams Maryland, ranked #1 Best Haunted Attraction in USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards, will not reopen this fall and is pushing its return to 2027, organizers confirmed.

The 24-year-old haunted attraction, a fixture named best haunted house and trail by the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun, had completed an 11-month redesign featuring 22 all-new stations, an updated haunted house, and new lighting, sound, and infrastructure.

A zoning approval holds up the reopening

The event will reopen once the Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association's (OBGC) Special Exception is amended to expressly include fundraising events on the property, according to organizers.

"We are enormously proud of what our design and planning teams have accomplished, which makes this an especially hard announcement to make," said John Dixon, Director of Operations for Field of Screams Maryland.