In Brief: Operation Santa Claus letters, virtual holiday concert and more in Pine, Richland

Families can have a personalized letter sent to kids from Santa at a cost of $5 with proceeds benefiting the Operation Santa Claus charity.

The letters feature a child’s name, references to items they put on their Christmas wish list and a special “PS” from Santa.

The letter will arrive on custom Santa-themed stationary and envelope along with an official “Nice” certificate and a North Pole activity sheet.

Letters can be ordered online. They will be mailed on or before Dec. 14.

Proceeds Benefit Operation Santa Claus, a cooperative effort by Trib Total Media, Shop N Save and the Salvation Army to provide local families in need with all the ingredients for a nutritious and delicious holiday meal. Children in those families receive new or gently-used books.

Operation Santa Claus also is accepting donations to help families during the holidays.

Donations can be made online or by mail to: Operation Santa Claus, c/o Trib Total Media; 622 Cabin Hill Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601.

Annual Community of Music concert going virtual

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. Dec. 4.

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

Radon detectors available for loan

Northland Public Library in McCandless is offering Airthings radon detectors for check out thanks to a generous donation.

Radon detectors can tell when harmful radon gas is in the air of a home or building. The new detectors available at the library are easy to use and only need about seven days in a building to provide an accurate reading.

To check out a radon detector, stop at the Computer Center desk upstairs.

The units were donated by Jeremy and Stacey Shaffer and dedicated to people who have lost their lives to lung cancer.

Breakfast Club

Hosanna Industries is providing a place where students can gather safely on days when they are doing virtual learning to complete their school work with other students. The program is designed to remove the isolation of studying at home by providing a place where students can see and communicate with each other.

Social distancing and facial coverings are required.

The Breakfast Club runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information, visit hosannaindustries.org.

Women’s Business Network

Part networking group, part mastermind group, Women’s Business Network provides members with the tools to be successful while expanding her circle of influence and marketplace. All professional women are welcome to attend as a guest at the meeting for no charge. At the time of publication, many meetings are being held virtually, please check with the local chapter representative for more information.

The Cranberry Chapter meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 a.m., and meetings are currently being held via Zoom. The December meetings will be held Dec. 3 and 17. For more information, contact Nancy Wood at 724-316-3427.

The Criders Corners Chapter meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at noon, and meetings are currently being held on Zoom. Due to the holiday, the only December meeting will be Dec. 10. Guests are welcome to attend at no cost. For more information, contact Sherri at 412-760-9601.

The All Virtual Chapter meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., and they meet via Zoom. The December meetings will take place Dec. 2 and 15. Guests are welcome to attend at no cost. For more information, contact Jennifer Pasquale at 412-908-1663.

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 nearly 800 children in the North Hills 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 kids 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.