Publicize your holiday events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.
Food bank accepting donations for prepared baskets
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will give out specially prepared food baskets as a Christmas witness. Each basket will contain canned goods, fresh vegetables and a voucher to purchase meat.
Each $15 donation will provide a basket valued over $25 to a family in need. Help make someone else’s Christmas special. Mail your check with your name and address to: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. All donations will be acknowledged.
Pajama and Book Project seeks donations
The Rotary Club of Leechburg and Interact Club of Leechburg Area High School are sponsoring the Pajama and Book Project collection through Dec. 14 in the Leechburg area.
Donations of new pajamas in all sizes, men’s sleep pants and new children’s books will be accepted at the following locations:
Quarato Hardware, Leechburg Florist, First Methodist Church and Voytex Electrical, all in Leechburg; and Hunt’s Hilltop Service, Forks Lutheran Church and Kalmar Motors, both in Gilpin.
Monetary donations may be sent to the Rotary Club of Leechburg, P.O. Box 163, Leechburg PA 15656. Pajamas and books will be sent to HAVIN, Children Youth and Family Services of Armstrong County, Life Services and the Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center.
Volunteers needed to prepare income tax returns
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches and United Way of Southwest Pennsylvania are looking for people to give their time as volunteer tax preparers.
Many of our neighbors don’t have access to affordable tax help, fall victim to rapid refund loans or are not aware of state and federal tax credits. Free training and certification are provided.
For details, call 724-226-0606, ext. 10, email avac@avaaoc.org or visit uwswpa.org/free-tax-preparation. Registration deadline is Dec. 31.
Calendar
Apollo
Today: A vendor fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.
Today: Apollo Area Historical Society will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. The current exhibit is a vintage toy display.
Dec. 31: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host a New Year’s Eve bingo at 8 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will be open with a full menu. There will be four Early Bird games, 17 regular games, four specials and a must-go jackpot that will pay $500. Cost: $25 for 12 on packet and hot dog with kraut, if purchased by Dec. 22, after Dec. 22, $30. Tickets: Shelby, 724-549-1601.
Arnold
Today: The Tomb Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will feature the John Melnick in concert at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Details: 724-339-8888.
Today: St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church will sell pierogi and cookies from 9 a.m. to noon in the church hall, 1610 Kenneth Ave. Cost: frozen potato and cheese or sauerkraut pierogi, $11 per dozen; cookies, $5 to $12 per dozen depending on the variety.
Brackenridge
Sunday: The Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Band Together Pittsburgh will host an Open Mic event and Christmas party at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. Microphones, keyboards, guitars, amps and percussion instruments will be available. No music experience is required. Public welcome.
Dec. 23: A replenishment blood drive for Terry Spale will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or Dawn Spale at 724-224-2224 or dspale@alleghenyhealth.com or visit vitalant.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code Z0021156.
Fawn
Wednesday: A free introduction to fly fishing class will be offered at 7 p.m. at Millerstown United Methodist Church, 2830 Thompson Road. Must be at least 12 years old. Details: Greg Mix, 724-882-0940.
Harrison
Sunday: A holiday bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane, Natrona Heights. Doors open at noon. Cost: $20 for a basic package. The kitchen will be open.
Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $6; younger than 6, $3.
Wednesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a seminar, “The Basics of Email,” at 1 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Seating is limited. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Dec. 18: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a program, “Holidays Around the World,” at 1 p.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Children who are at least in kindergarten will celebrate holiday traditions from around the globe with Bright Star Theatre and make a craft. Reservations and face masks required. Reservations: visit the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Kiski Township
Wednesday: A fundraiser to benefit Champion’s Crusaders Rescue will be from noon to 8 p.m. at Fox’ Pizza Den, 3529 Route 156, Spring Church. Present the fundraising ticket and 20% of your order will be donated. Excludes alcohol, taxes and deliver fee. For a ticket, send a private message to ChampionsCrusaiders on Facebook.
Leechburg
Monday: Leechburg Public Library Board of Directors will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 137 Market St. Public welcome.
Monday: The Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society, 118 First St., is closed for winter. To arrange a private tour, email lamahs@windstream.net or call 724-845-8914 and leave a message.
Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.
Thursday: A free Polar Express movie night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St. Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and enjoy the movie and hot chocolate. Reservations required today. Reservations: stop in at the library.
Lower Burrell
Today: The ClothesLine ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The jewelry room will be open. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 25 cents each or 5 for $1. Follow us on Facebook.
Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the Magic Moments band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.
Monday: Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. at the post for the Christmas party. Bring a dessert to share. Dues for 2022 are payable. Bartenders will not be distributing keycards. Please check the notice posted at the post for key card information or contact President Debbie Stewart, P.O. Box 144, Apollo PA 15613.
Manor
Dec. 21: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will sponsor a free Winter Solstice hike and craft at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. The group will make lanterns and there will be children’s activities. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.
New Kensington
Today: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will celebrate its 10th anniversary from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will give special treats to all customers. The Closet offers clothing for all members of the family and gifts are available in the Christmas shop. Donations of clean, gently-used winter clothing welcome during operating hours.
Today: A holiday craft fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Kensington Arts Center, 950 Fifth Ave. Free admission. Sponsored by the New Ken Downtown Partnership.
Jan. 8: A spaghetti dinner to benefit lung cancer patient Chris Ploski and his wife Emily will be at the Eagles, 2134 Freeport Road. Gift basket donations are being accepted for a silent auction. Details: Davis, 412-378-6296 or the Eagles, 724-335-7811.
Parks
Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a Music Night for members and guests from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Details: 724-845-2390.
Dec. 20: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul Highfield Lutheran Church, 1595 Dime Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.
Plum
Today: Plum Community Center will host a winter bingo to benefit Plum EMS and the community center at noon at the center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and early birds start at noon.There will be specials, a $500 jackpot, a lotto raffle tree and food for sale. Admission: $25 in advance; $30 at the door; early birds separate. Tickets: 412-795-2330 or stop in at the center.
Springdale
Wednesday: A craft class to make a fabric Christmas tree will be at 1 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Reservations required. For a materials list, visit springdalepubliclibrary.org. Reservations: 724-274-9729.
Tarentum
Today: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.
Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.
Upper Burrell
Dec. 24: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company and Vigilant Hose Company of Port Vue are sponsoring a $15,000 cash raffle. Winning number will be the Dec. 24 Pa. Lottery Pick 4 number. Cost: $20 for eight numbers. Tickets: send a private message on the company Facebook page.
Vandergrift
Today: Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 141 Sumner Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Break the Bank: $2,100; $500 must-go jackpot.
West Deer
Today: Deer Lakes Band Boosters will sponsor a craft and vendor show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school, 163 East Union Road. Admission: $1; 4 and younger, free; includes one ticket for the basket raffle. There will be a bake sale, an opportunity for photos with Santa and concessions. The middle school band will perform at 11 a.m. and the high school band will perform at noon. Proceeds benefit the band program.
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