Community Engagement

DALLAS – October 29, 2026 -- U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc. (USAP) mobilized 400 participants across 24 events during its 2026 USAP Cares Week, logging more than 1,300 volunteer hours and $36,800 in donations. The company estimates the effort affected 45,000 lives.

USAP directs Cares Week toward food insecurity, homelessness and education

The annual week of service is part of the USAP Cares program, which focuses company resources and personnel on three areas: health and well-being, education and civic enrichment. Activities run year-round, with extra emphasis during Cares Week. This year's teams prepared meals, assembled care kits and supported children, families and underserved populations.

Andover, Minnesota – October 22, 2026 -- Beef 'O' Brady's has named Andover franchisee Bradley Dethmers its 2026 Franchisee of the Year, and he also took the brand's Marketer of the Year Award at parent company FSC Franchise Co.'s 2026 conference. The family sports pub chain operates 120 locations in 21 states.

Dethmers bought the Andover restaurant in May 2021 with nearly 30 years of hospitality experience

The Andover restaurant marks 18 years in business on October 6. Before becoming a Beef 'O' Brady's franchisee, Dethmers opened restaurants around the world and worked with several franchise brands. That background shapes his focus on hospitality and guest relationships.

Longview – October 18, 2026 -- Diversified Energy distributed approximately 430 winter essentials to students at J.L. Everhart Magnet Elementary School in Longview, Texas, in its sixth consecutive year partnering with national nonprofit Operation Warm.

Employees hand out new shoes and socks ahead of colder months

The event took place on a Friday at the school. Diversified Energy employees gave brand-new shoes with socks to local children in need. The natural gas and oil company operates in Texas.

Sixth year of partnership tied to community engagement

Diversified described the initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to philanthropy and volunteer engagement in the communities where it operates. The company said the six-year relationship with Operation Warm reinforces its core value of community engagement.

Bel Air – October 16, 2026 -- Jeffrey S. Rink, Executive Vice President of Harford Mutual Insurance Group, has joined the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation Board, adding a healthcare philanthropy role to a career spanning more than 35 years in insurance.

Rink brings 17 years of Harford Mutual experience to the foundation board

Rink joined Harford Mutual in 2009 and has served as Executive Vice President since 2021. The company credits him with helping guide its strategic growth and community engagement efforts during his tenure.

Prior board roles include presidency of The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region's governing board

Rink previously served on The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region's Foundation Board. He also held leadership positions on its Governing Board, including Vice President and President.

He also volunteers with Harford Family House, where he serves on the Annual Golf Outing Committee.

Las Vegas – October 15, 2026 -- SAFE Structure Designs, a Las Vegas-based defense engineering and manufacturing company, has partnered with Zo's Bravehearts Foundation to send three children with leukemia and their mothers to Rome, Italy.

As a major donor to the nonprofit, SAFE took part in a trip that included a meeting with the Pope and a private tour of the Vatican. The program gave the families time together outside the demands of cancer treatment.

Zo's Bravehearts Foundation provides transport, meals and home support across the Las Vegas Valley

The Las Vegas-based 501(c)(3) offers family-centered childhood cancer support. Its services include transportation assistance, meals, home support, essential supplies and family experiences. The foundation says these services ease the practical and emotional burdens of pediatric cancer.

Tokyo – October 15, 2026 -- transcosmos used its generative AI role-playing system trans-AI Tutor to let elementary school children try contact center work at Mini Sapporo 2026, held at Access Sapporo on October 3 and 4, 2026.

Mini Sapporo gives third- and fourth-graders a full work-and-spend cycle

Mini Sapporo is a work experience program for third- and fourth-grade pupils in Sapporo City and neighboring areas. It is built on the Sapporo City Convention on the Rights of the Child. Participants search for jobs, work, receive wages and pay taxes. They then spend their earnings on shopping and dining.

Fresno – – October 15, 2026 -- PrideStaff's annual blood drive exceeded the staffing firm's participation goal, the company said, extending a workplace donation program it launched in 2023.

PrideStaff employees, families and friends turned out under the theme "Don't Let the Blood Supply Fall"

The company did not disclose the donor target or the number of participants. Donations support local patients who depend on blood products.

Program began in 2023 after PrideStaff learned of a premature infant's transfusion needs

PrideStaff dedicated its yearly drive to Jensen Blanks and his family after hearing his story from his father, Jason. Jensen was born extremely premature and relied on blood transfusions in his first days. His tracheostomy was removed in 2024, and he has since started first grade.

Jason Blanks thanked PrideStaff employees for providing his family and others with hope through the donations.

Belleville – – October 15, 2026 -- Illinois American Water put 125 employees to work at 13 local organizations last month, logging more than 475 volunteer hours during its AmerICANs In Action! Month of Service.

The projects addressed food insecurity, neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, youth needs and community health in communities the utility serves. Company President Rebecca Losli described the program as a commitment to living out company values through local giving.

Volunteers packed 5,500 diapers and sorted food donations

In Champaign, volunteers packed more than 5,500 diapers for the Bottom Line Diaper Bank through United Way of Champaign County. At Eastern Illinois Foodbank in Urbana, which provided 11.7 million meals to nearly 200 agencies and programs in the past year, they sorted donations.

Austin – – October 14, 2026 -- Sweatpals has become the Official Event Platform of HYROX365 and an Official Partner of North America, giving HYROX's network of 20,000 affiliate gyms a tool to run and monetize local training events between races.

The deal also makes Sweatpals Official Title Partner of HYROX Miami. The race will be branded Sweatpals HYROX Miami Beach 2027.

Sweatpals deploys a white-label platform inside the HYROX Performance HUB

Sweatpals will supply a white-label solution integrated into the HYROX365 ecosystem. Affiliate gyms can create, promote and manage HYROX training simulations, training events and open gym sessions. Bookings, day passes, payments and member acquisition are handled end-to-end on the platform.

Buffalo, W.Va. – October 12, 2026 -- Toyota West Virginia has marked 30 years of operations at a plant representing a $3.3 billion investment and employing more than 2,000 people, and the facility is busier than ever, according to its president.

Buffalo plant supplies engines and drivetrain components across North America

The Putnam County facility assembles both engines and drivetrain components for Toyota's North American operations. It is the only Toyota plant in North America that assembles hybrid transaxles.

President David Rosier said the plant has grown as Senator Jay Rockefeller predicted at the groundbreaking, crediting the workforce for the result and describing the plant as busier than ever.