Back to school collection

The Community Foundation of Bethel Park is kicking off the school year with a community-wide Pack the Bus fundraiser to support Bethel Park students and teachers. On Sept. 2 at the Farmers’ Market, a collection will take place of essential school supplies, clothing, toiletries, and snacks to help local classrooms thrive.

The initiative is powered by the Community Foundation in partnership with the Bethel Park School District with a goal to fill an entire bus with donations that directly support students in need.

In addition to the Farmers’ Market event, donation bins will be available at locations around Bethel Park, including the Bethel Park Community Center.

A full list of items that can be donated can be found online at bethelparkpa.gov.

Large garage sale

Garage Sale in the Park is coming 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 13. Walk along a section of Industrial Boulevard in Bethel Park and visit about 30 garage sales. In addition, several businesses within the industrial park will join in by holding their own garage sale on their own property. For more information, email saws60bp@gmail.com. For GPS, use 3032 Industrial Blvd., Bethel Park, PA 15102.

South Hills Women’s Club

The South Hills Women’s Club will meet at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 at Scott Township Lodge, Park Drive, Carnegie. Following a brief meeting, guest speaker will be former Pittsburgh Police officer and detective Brenda Tate.

This is a new location and new time for meetings.

Tate distinguished herself as one of the first African American women to serve in Pittsburgh. She was hand-selected to serve in the Witness and Dignitary Protection Unit, providing dignitary protection to presidents, kings, queens, Rosa Parks, the Dalai Lama, as well as high-level government officials and dignitaries. She will discuss her career and her book “Journal of a Black Woman in Blue: Navigating Abuse, Addiction, Racism & Sobriety.”

At the May 6 Installation Dinner, the club presented its 2024-2025 charity check to Pennies From Heaven. Established in 2001, the Pennies From Heaven Foundation is a local grassroots charity whose mission is to provide financial assistance to the families of children admitted to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Its goal is to ease financial hardships for parents so they can remain with their sick child for the entire hospital admission. Every penny donated goes directly to a family in need and there are no administrative expenses.

Refreshments and dessert will be served. If interested in attending, contact Diane at 412-965-4714 with questions. New members and guests are welcome to attend.

Household chemical collection

Registration is open for Pennsylvania Resources Council’s household chemical collection on Sept. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the South Park Wave Pool parking lot. The event enables attendees to conveniently dispose of materials such as cleaners, paints, batteries, automotive fluids, e-cigarettes/vapes and pesticides.

A $20 fee will cover the cost of disposing every 10 gallons/50 pounds of aerosol cans, automotive fluids, chemistry sets, gasoline and kerosene, household cleaners, mercury thermometers, paint products, pesticides/garden chemicals, photo chemicals and pool chemicals. Loads exceeding 10 gallons/50 pounds will be subject to additional fees at the discretion of on-site staff.

This is a drive-thru event. Participants should place items in their car trunks or truck beds and stay in their vehicles while contractors unload the materials. PRC accepts cash, checks, credit and debit cards.

For more information, visit www.prc.org/CollectionEvents or call PRC at 412-488-7490.

Design contest

In 2026, the Bethel Park Farmers’ Market turns 20.

The Recreation Department is asking the community to help design the next reusable market tote — the most popular item of the season.

The winning design will be featured on thousands of market totes and seen throughout the region next summer.

Submissions are welcome from anyone, but local artists, students, and Bethel Park community members are encouraged to participate.

The winning design will be selected by a panel of local judges in early 2026.

To enter, send your design (or a clear image of it) to: farmersmarket@bethelparkpa.gov with the subject line “Tote Design Contest” by Jan. 9, 2026.

For detailed rules and specifications, visit betheplarkpa.gov.

Fish fry

Bethel Park Lions Club is hosting a fish fry from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Lions Park (5757 Irishtown Road).

Lunch includes fried fish or shrimp, fries or macaroni and cheese and coleslaw. Dinner offerings are fried or baked fish or shrimp, fries or macaroni and cheese and coleslaw. Eat in, drive through or take out. Cost is $16 and kids’ meals are $5.

All proceeds benefit Lions Charities and are used for the maintenance of Bethel Park Lions Park.

To have your news or event listed in the next issue of Bethel Park Journal, email information to kgreen@triblive.com by Sept. 12.

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