In brief: Coat drive, flea market and more in Aspinwall area

Coat drive

Fox Families Care is hosting a new and gently used coat and Halloween costume collection through Oct. 15. Donation boxes will be located at the borough building, Lauri Ann West Community Center, Cooper-Siegel Library and local schools.

People can also donate jackets, hats and gloves of all sizes at the O’Hara Township municipal building, 325 Fox Chapel Road.

The donations will provide warmth and joy to families just in time for colder weather, with distribution scheduled for Oct. 17-18.

“Our goal is to remove obstacles to basic clothing and supplies — like winter coats and backpacks — that could keep a student from going to class because of shame or stigma,” said Paulette O’Donnell, president of Fox Families Care.

For more information, visit foxfamiliescare.org.

Leaf collection

Fall leaf collection begins in O’Hara on Oct. 13 and runs through Dec. 1.

Residents are reminded to rake their leaves within four feet of the curb, but not on the street. No other debris may be mixed in with the leaves. Township officials said leaves left in the street can create a safety hazard, especially if it rains or snows.

Call the township office at 412-784-1784, ext. 203 with any questions or comments regarding the leaf collection program.

Emergency preparedness meetings

Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization, along with Age-­Friendly Greater Pittsburgh and Sharpsburg Emergency Management, are hosting emergency preparedness community meetings at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 in council chambers and 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the SNO building.

Meet and greet

Parkview EMS will host a meet and greet from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 22 at the Sharpsburg borough building, 1611 Main St.

Come meet EMS chiefs for a coffee and learn about its fund and subscription drives and how it helps the ambulance service provider help people.

Blood drive

Fox Chapel Area High School is holding a community blood drive on Oct. 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the high school’s large group instruction room. All people 16 and older are encouraged to donate blood.

As a special incentive, anyone who donates blood will be entered for a chance to win a $10,000 gift card.

Vitalant also continues to offer scholarships to area high school students. To qualify for these scholarships, Fox Chapel Area High School will host several blood drives throughout the 2025-2026 school year. The scholarships will be awarded for the highest percentage participation and the largest number of registered donations for the year. Additionally, anyone who donates blood at a local donor center can also ask for the donation to count toward Fox Chapel Area High School’s total. Just specify for the donation to count toward Fox Chapel Area High School (code UHS010025).

To schedule an appointment, go to vitalant.org, call 1-877-25VITAL, or use the Vita­lant mobile app. Fox Chapel Area High School’s group code is UHS010025. Students may also see gifted education facilitator Lisa Gibson to arrange a donation. Donors are strongly encouraged to make an appointment, but walk-ins are also welcome. Walk-in donors should enter at the athletics entrance at the back of the school by the fox statue.

Fox Chapel Area High School’s blood drive is being coordinated by the community outreach committee of the Fox Chapel Area High School Fox Leadership Council. The high school is located at 611 Field Club Road in O’Hara Township.

Hall of Fame nominations

Sharpsburg Historical Commission is accepting nominations for this year’s Sharpsburg Sports Hall of Fame class. The commission seeks nominations for athletes, coaches and/or teams from the borough to be inducted later this year.

Nominations will be accepted through the end of September. Inductees will be announced in early October and inducted at a council meeting on Oct. 23.

Nomination forms can be found on the commission’s Facebook page.

Creatures of the Night

Fireflies guide you on an evening walk through Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve’s trails to encounter larger-than-life costumed nocturnal creatures on Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25. Hear stories from creatures such as a Great Horned Owl, observe the acrobatics of the Flying Squirrel, go batty with Little Brown Bat, and meet a real-live creature of the night. Come in costume and collect treats along the way at this family-friendly and non-scary event.

Cost is $10 per Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania member/$15 per non-member. Register at aswp.org or call 412-963-6100.

Photos wanted

Sharpsburg Historical Commission wants old photos of churches, businesses, schools and other borough facilities. It also seeks photos of baptisms, sermons, festivals and any other activities from years gone by.

Commissioners said they hope to build on their preservations with submissions from the community.

More information about the preservation effort and how to support it is available on the group’s Facebook page or email SharpsburgHistoricalCommission@gmail.com.

Book for sale

Sharpsburg Historical Commission is selling reprints of a book that chronicles borough history.The book is expected to be available at the borough office.

Cost is $30 with some of the proceeds going toward Sharpsburg’s bicentennial celebration.

More information about it is available on the group’s Facebook page or by emailing SharpsburgHistoricalCommission@gmail.com.

GriefShare

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is? Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.

GriefShare is a 13-week non­denominational, Christian faith-based support group that is offered weekly from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays running through Dec. 11 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.

For details or questions, contact Gail Harger: gailharger@verizon.net or visit Griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.

Lauri Ann West Community Center

The Lauri Ann West Community Center’s Sue Golier Memorial Speaker Series presents storyteller Daniel Stern at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23. The former sociology professor will share the story of his parents’ escape from Europe to flee the Nazi regime. This event is free and open to the public. To help us prepare, please register online at lauriannwestcc.org.

In collaboration with the Afterschool Alliance, the Center is hosting Lights on Afterschool from 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 24. The Center’s afterschool instructors will showcase their favorite activities during this event.

Parents and guardians are welcome to stay and participate or drop off their children. This event is free and open to all families with children aged 4-12. Registration is required.

The annual Trunk or Treat at the Lauri Ann West Community Center is set for 4-6 p.m. Oct. 26. No registration is required. Show off your costumes and enjoy treats distributed by generous community members who will be decorating their vehicles.

If you are interested in decorating your vehicle and handing out candy, please contact the Center at questions@lauriannwestcc.org.

Flea market

Sharpsburg’s community flea market is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday, June through October, along North Canal Street at Guyasuta Square.

Discover vintage treasures, handmade crafts and great deals from local vendors.

Call Chas Smith at 412-927-9221 for more information.

TOPS meetings

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. for an interactive program focused on weight loss, healthy eating and wellness at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., Oakmont.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting for free. Weigh-in is private, followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time and educational program, all ending by 7:15. There is well-lit parking, handicap accessibility and security.

Call 412-828-3854 for more information or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.

To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.