American Heart Month is a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. Throughout the month, the American Heart Association’s “Heart to Heart: Why Losing One Woman Is Too Many” campaign will raise awareness about how 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with heart disease annually.

The first Friday of American Heart Month is also National Wear Red Day as part of the AHA’s Go Red for Women initiative. Coast to coast, landmarks, news anchors and neighborhoods go red to raise awareness and support for the fight against heart disease. For more information on the event and other activities during the month, visit goredforwomen.org.

When: The Month of February

The Hungry Hound Hustle Dog-Friendly 5K Run / 1 Mile Walk is held annually to support the Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank in Fort Worth, Texas.

The mission of Don’t Forget to Feed Me (DF2FM) is to supply pet food to local agencies in support of pet owners while educating the public about pet food insecurity. By providing pet food for those in need during challenging financial times and increasing awareness, we offer an alternative to surrendering —or worse, abandoning—a family pet. Don’t Forget to Feed Me helps to ensure that no pet owner must choose between stay…or go. DF2FM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Fort Worth, Texas. EIN 27-4230499

When: April 26, 2025

Where: Fort Worth, Texas

The PAN-MASS Challenge is a Massachusetts-based bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. Held the first weekend in August, the PMC raises funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research.

For more information volunteering or fundraising at the PMC, visit pmc.org/ride.

When: August 2-3, 2025

Where: Massachusetts

The Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership seeks to unite the community in addressing suicide in the Pikes Peak Region through education, intervention, and “postvention.” From housing the suicide hotline to providing free community trainings, this organization has worked to fill in the gaps across our community in the name of suicide prevention. PPSPP is dedicated to providing FREE services to our community which is empowered through the generosity of our community, grants and fundraising events.

To register, for more information, volunteering or fundraising through the PPSPP Race Against Suicide 5K, visit pikespeaksuicideprevention.org/events/race-against-suicide.org.

When: September 21, 2025

Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado

The Jimmy Fund Walk is an exciting opportunity for individuals to create teams and walk to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Individuals can chose to walk 5k, 10k, half marathon or full marathon (on the Boston Marathon route!) or they can participate remotely. The Jimmy Fund Walk supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which provides expert, compassionate care to children and adults and is home to groundbreaking cancer discoveries. Since its founding in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars through thousands of community efforts to advance Dana-Farber’s lifesaving mission.

For more information volunteering or fundraising through the Jimmy Fund Walk, visit pmc.org/ride.

When: October 5, 2025

Where: Boston, Massachusetts

Silver Key Services supports a healthy quality of life for seniors, allowing them to age safely with dignity and independence. Silver Key was founded in 1970 in Colorado Springs by a group of concerned citizens who wished to improve the quality of life for older individuals.

Volunteer opportunities include: Kitchen prep for Meals on wheels, Meals on Wheels Driver, Thrift Store Volunteer, Computer Classroom Trainers, Handyman volunteers, Veteran-to-Veteran Companionship Volunteers.

Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Junior Achievement believes in “possible.” Each day, we work to help young people discover what’s possible in their lives by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. We let them know it’s possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams. We show them that it’s possible for tomorrow to be a better day.

Junior Achievement USA is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.

Volunteer for JA in a Day—Volunteers will receive a teaching kit with teaching guide, handouts, posters, and all the materials to teach the grade-appropriate JA program to the class.

Volunteer for JA Career Speaker Series—Volunteers will be in each classroom for approximately 20-30 minutes to discuss their current careers, any past careers, and educational journey.

Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Odyssey’s Joseph Rice is an annual participant in RUCK4HIT, a Heroes in Transition (HIT) event. The Ruck is a challenging adventure / endurance course with participants rucking through every town on Cape Cod, covering 200+ miles over 36 hours. Heroes in Transition was founded in memory of Capt. Eric A. Jones, a Marine helicopter pilot who lost his life while supporting a combat mission in Afghanistan. The organization carries on Capt. Jones’ mission by assisting veterans, service members, and their families with support not readily available from government agencies.

When: RUCK4HIT takes place April 25-26, 2025 (Donations Portal is open now)
Where: RUCK4HIT is being held in Falmouth, MA

Stacy M. Hughes, a previous finisher of the 100 Mile Ruck March Challenge, will take part in this military-inspired event during which participants will ruck (hike) UNDISCLOSED miles over four days. Camping out each night, athletes will carry everything they need for this 4-day event on their backs, navigate the course and its obstacles, cook their meals, and set up and break down camp each night. Additional obstacles along the way will make this challenge more grueling than it ever has been, but watching a child fight cancer is even worse.

100% of the proceeds from this event go to Why Me & Sherry’s House, a grass roots non-profit organization dedicated to providing love and support services to families dealing with childhood cancer. Why Me & Sherry’s House is run in part by parents that have lived this experience first-hand, along with dedicated staff and volunteers who understand the needs of families supporting a pediatric cancer patient.

When: 100 Mile Ruck March Challenge takes place July 17-20, 2025 (Donations Portal is open now)
Where: Worcester, Massachusetts

Cindy Callahan: “Please support me as I commit to an incredible challenge. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. It will be hard, but it’s not as hard as breast cancer. It’s not as hard as chemo. It’s not as hard as getting bad news at your latest scan. It’s not as hard as saying goodbye. And that’s why I know I have to do this. That’s why I’m walking and why I’m raising money – to end breast cancer forever.”

About the Susan G. Komen 3-Day
We’re a dedicated community of fundraisers and advocates who take on an incredible challenge; a three-day and up to 60-mile journey to end breast cancer. Whether we walk 20, 40 or all 60 miles—every step and every dollar we raise matters. We walk because we can’t sit on the sidelines watching while breast cancer steals the lives and futures of our friends and family members.

Since 2003, the Susan G. Komen Foundation has raised more than $915 million to save lives, support community programs, increase access to care and make strides in breast cancer research, therapies and treatments. But we still have miles to go. Join us and experience the power and community of the 3-Day Pink Bubble.

When: The 3-Day takes place October 24-26, 2025 (Donations Portal is open now)
Where: Dallas / Fort Worth, TX

The 3-Day is a project of Susan G. Komen®, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Charitable ID #: 75-1835298

In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, dumping extreme rainfall, causing flash flooding, catastrophic damage, and significant loss of life. Many parts of the region are in ruins and the people there are in dire need of assistance.

Please use the links here to connect with organizations that are working to assist in the ongoing recovery effort.

Cradles to Crayons provides children living in homeless or low-income situations (ages birth through age 12) with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school and at play. Cradles to Crayons supplies these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities.

Please join OdysseyCares by supporting this cause through a compensation donation or by donating seasonally-appropriate coats, shoes, and school supplies.

Where: Boston, Massachusetts

Care and Share works to ensure equitable and sustainable access to nutritious food and education by partnering with neighbors, communities, organizations and supporters across Southern Colorado—we believe no one should go hungry. Since 1972, Care and Share has grown from an all-volunteer-led organization working out of a neighborhood garage in Colorado Springs, to the sole food bank serving 29 counties across 47,000 square miles. Visit careandshare.org for more information.

Where: Colorado

OdysseyCares is a proud sponsor of the Dayton Regional STEM School Robotics Team.

It’s been a busy two months, and while the snow slowed us down, we were able to get our robot up and functioning and had a strong showing during our first competition / judging session at Sinclair Community College in early January. We practiced for our sessions by memorizing our scripts and presenting in front of our coaches, who provided valuable feedback. We did our best and the team had fun learning about robotics, the competition, and communicating with other teams.

We’re making great progress since that competition and are taking the lessons learned there and have started implementing them for our next outing—we plan to redesign the lift and lighten the weight of the robot to improve its pivot. The team is learning, working hard, and looking forward to the Miami Qualifier on February 15th 2025!

For the past several years, Odyssey has sponsored a wreath to be placed in the name of each Odyssey Team member through Wreaths Across America. In addition, Odyssey staff join the more than two million volunteers and supporters who gather to lay wreaths in veterans cemeteries across the United States. Odyssey is proud to be a sponsor of this initiative!

Wreaths Across America is dedicated to a yearlong mission to Remember, Honor and Teach about the sacrifices veterans have made for our security. By laying a wreath for each veteran, saying their name aloud and thanking them for their service we honor their service and their remember their sacrifice. Wreaths Across America ceremonies take place in December at more than 4,600 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.