News briefs: Holiday live-stream concert, Santa Tour, toy drives and more

The annual Community of Music event sponsored by North Hills Cares will be switched to a virtual performance this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The live streamed concert from the Block Northway in Ross will be performed from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 4.

The concert will feature choirs, bands and orchestras from the Hampton, North Hills, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland and Avonworth school districts.

Recording artist Melina Bowser also is scheduled to perform and Santa Claus will make an appearance.

The shopping center also is sponsoring a Fill the Sleigh drive on Dec. 6 and 7 to collect nonperishable single-serving food items that will be donated to local school “backpack” programs. There also will be prizes, a Santa’s Mailbox, a gift wrapping service and a holiday photo booth at the event.

The concert is sponsored by North Hills Cares, which also is accepting donations for the backpack drive online.

NHCO toy drive runs through Dec. 9

North Hills Community Outreach is holding its annual toy drive to help needy children through Dec. 9.

Last year, the charity provided holiday gifts for 797 children in the North Hills arera and expects to exceed that number this year because of the financial difficulties created by the coronavirus pandemic.

To reduce the need to shop and drop off items, the organization recommends this year’s donations be made in the form of gift cards or by selecting items from an Amazon Wish List.

People who prefer to directly purchase new unwrapped toys, games and other gifts for children of all ages can drop them off at any of NHCO’s three offices weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gift cards should be mailed to the organization’s main office at 1975 Ferguson Road, Allison Park, PA 15101.

The other offices are at the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave.; and at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Pittsburgh.

Hampton Holiday Santa Tour set

Hampton Township is playing host to an event featuring a fireworks show and a visit from Santa on Dec. 3 at Community Park.

The Holidays in Hampton Santa Tour kicks off at 7 p.m. with a fireworks display from the soccer field.

After the show, Santa Claus and his faithful reindeer Rudolph will ride around the park in a fire truck.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, personal photos with Santa will not be permitted.

Drive-thru holiday light display

The North Hills School District is hosting a drive-thru light display at the high school/middle school campus from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 3.

The decorations and light displays are being designed and created by student clubs, schools and organizations from elementary through high school.

The students also are seeking donations of new and gently-used strands of lights, which can be dropped off in collection boxes at the entrance to all school buildings.

The event is free, but donations are being collected to help needy families during the holidays.

Choral students sending letters from Santa

Pine-Richland High School’s choral students will be sending Letters from Santa to children of all ages.

The cost is a $5 donation for a personalized letter from Santa for your child including the details provided.

For more information, send an email to: Michelle English at: MichelleEnglish92@hotmail.com.

The deadline to submit a request is Dec. 9.

Toys for Tots collection

Three McCandless volunteer fire departments are joining forces for the sixth annual drive to support Toys for Tots.

Residents can help bring joy to needy kids during the holidays by donating unwrapped toys during any of the following times:

• Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 6 to 7 p.m. at any fire station in McCandless.

• Nov. 27 to 29 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Target parking lot at Pine Creek Plaza, 9805 McKnight Road.

Donations also can be dropped off at boxes located at the Marshall Township Municipal Buiding at 525 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 100.