Sept. 1: BubbleFest by WonderLab

WonderLab spent Labor Day weekend teaching about everything bubbles! From making bubbles big enough to stand inside of, to bubble sculptures, to blowing bubbles, there was something for everyone. Thousands of people came out to make it a great event, along with hundreds of awesome volunteers.

Since opening its doors in 1998, the award-winning WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology has welcomed more than one million visitors of all ages. The museum provides an array of exhibits and events to engage the community in hands-on scientific leaning and aims to spark a love for learning in each of its guests.

Sept. 1-21: Channel Kindness Challenge: #BeKind21 by the Dean’s Office at the O’Neill School

From September 1-21, people across the world were challenged to do one act of kindness per day. The O’Neill School’s new Mental Health Initiative brought the challenge to IU. More than 1,000 students participated in various ways, and tips on “how to be kind” were shared through IU Bloomington’s events calendar.

About Mental Health Resources at IU: Counseling and Psychological Services is designed for students at IU to have a conversation with someone they can trust. Students have two free CAPS visits per semester and are encouraged to schedule an appointment to talk about any topic. Call (812) 855-5711 with any questions or to make an appointment.

Sept. 5: Placemats for Meals on Wheels at the First Thursdays Festival

A few bins of paint, some giant stamps, and incredible community members made for more than 175 placemats created for Meals on Wheels. IU Corps representatives loved talking with students and other community members about volunteering and upcoming opportunities (hint: check out Volunteer Central). If you want to make a placemat, make sure to come to the IU Corps table Oct. 3 at the next First Thursdays Festival.

Bloomington Meals on Wheels is designed to empower senior citizens to live a life of independence. The organization delivers two nutritious meals a day, Monday through Friday, to seniors who struggle to leave their homes.

Brought to you by the IU Arts and Humanities Council, the First Thursdays Festival unites campus and community through arts, entertainment, and collaboration. Everyone is welcome–and you can bring your pets! The First Thursdays Festival occurs on the first Thursday of each warm weather month from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sept. 7: First Saturdays Invasive Control Workday by Monroe County-Identify and Reduce Invasive Species

On Sep. 7, volunteers worked at RCA Community park to mitigate the negative impact of invasive plant species. At the beginning of the event, volunteers walked around the grounds with City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Monroe County-Identify and Reduce Invasive Species employees to learn about the invasive species and how they threatened the park’s native species. Volunteers of all ages can work and learn with MC-IRIS each month at a different park in Bloomington. The next opportunity to attend First Saturdays Invasive Control Work Day is Oct. 5 at Olcott Goat Farm. Register online before.

Monroe County - Identify and Reduce Invasive Species: is dedicated to protecting 2,300 acres of parks and municipal areas in Bloomington through education, research, and invasive species management.

Sept. 10: World Suicide Prevention Day by Balance at Kelley

On World Suicide Prevention Day, Balance at Kelley volunteers and other IU students decorated 1,100 paper bag luminarias. They included notes of encouragement, words of wisdom, and messages of hope. Each luminaria symbolized one of the student lives taken by suicide every year throughout the U.S. That night, students gathered to see the luminarias come to light.

Balance at Kelley is a student organization that addresses mental health and issues heightened by life on campus, including academic challenges and interpersonal challenges.

Sept. 11: September 11 Remembrance Flags in Dunn Meadow by Young Americans for Freedom

On the 18^th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, a student group called Young Americans for Freedom placed a memorial of American flags in Dunn Meadow. The flags were thoughtfully arranged to spell “9/11 Never Forget.” Students were encouraged to stop for a moment of reflection and silence as they passed the flags.

Young Americans for Freedom is a student group that encourages political activism through advocacy and involvement.

Sept. 12: United Way Brunch Conversation

Rev. Forrest Gilmore, executive director of the Shalom Center, spent the morning in the Indiana Memorial Union talking with students about homelessness in Bloomington. The event was free to students and included breakfast. Gilmore emphasized the importance of collecting local data and analyzing it against national trends. These brunches occur monthly to discuss important successes and challenges within the community. The next brunch will be Friday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. – noon in the Indiana Memorial Union, State Room East. Hannah Lencheck, advocacy coordinator at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard​, will lead a discussion on food insecurity.

United Way of Monroe County is dedicated to serving Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties.

Sept. 18-28: 200 Festival

IU celebrated its bicentennial through a series of events on IU campuses across the state. From the IUPUI Annual Regatta down the Indianapolis Canal to a discussion of the future of national service, the festival covered a variety of interests and topics.

In celebration of 200 years of innovation and education, IU is trying to inspire the next 100 years of leaders, thinkers, and world changers through the IU Bicentennial.

Sept. 28: Hoosiers Outrun Cancer by Bloomington Health Foundation

As part of the 200 Festival, IU supported Hoosiers Outrun Cancer. Runners had the option to establish teams and raise money for Bloomington Health Foundation. More than 100 teams were formed to complete the 1 mile or 5k route. After the run, many enjoyed a tailgate with their teams and new friends!

For the past 20 years, the Hoosiers Outrun Cancer run has benefited the Bloomington Health Foundation and supported all who have been affected by cancer in South Central Indiana and has raised more than $3 million for health expenses and beyond to assist families.

Sept. 26-28: Lotus World Music and Arts Festival by Lotus Education & Arts Foundation

The local nonprofit’s 26^th Lotus World Music and Arts Festival was a fun weekend for all. More than 12,000 students and community members made their way to downtown Bloomington to appreciate various music 27 different countries and art from all around the world.

The Lotus Education & Arts Foundation aims to unite and educate the community of Bloomington through music and art from a variety of cultures. The organization puts on the Lotus Festival each year, and it continues to be the only festival of its kind in Indiana. They have brought in artists from more than 120 different countries since the festival’s beginning.