The Stroller, April 2, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Fundraiser dance to feature music from 50s, 60s and 70s

Speed Family Blessing Box will host a sock hop fundraiser April 20 at the Verona Eagles, 315 James St.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. There will be dancing to the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s, a cash bar, basket raffle and 50-50. Cost is $45 per couple or $25 per person and includes dinner.

For tickets, use PayPal, cspeed31@gmail.com or Venmo, @chelsey-speed. For more information, call Chelsey at 412-552-9054.

Animal Protectors seeking donations

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting donations of pet food and supplies for its community pantry.

Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. any day at the rear entrance of the shelter, 730 Church St., New Kensington.

To view online wish lists visit Chewy at this link tinyurl.com/54s6mynf or Amazon at tinyurl.com/33mj24wk.

Salvation Army to distribute free lunches

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave., Brackenridge.

Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.

Avonmore 

Saturday : Avonmore Public Library will sponsor a bingo fundraiser at the Avonmore Civic Center, 423 Westmoreland Ave. Doors open at 11 a.m., early birds will be at 12:45 p.m. and regular bingo starts at 1 p.m. Cost: $20 if reserved before April 6; $25 at the door. There will be a $200 must-go jackpot game, specials, free coffee and cookies and a 50-50. Refreshments will be sold. Reservations: 724-388-2123.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Freeport 

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at United Presbyterian Church, 411 High St. New members welcome.

April 13: Freeport Area Library, 428 Market St., is accepting donations for its spring flea market during normal business hours. Donations of vintage jewelry, household items, glassware, seasonal décor, toys, puzzles and games welcome. Details: 724-295-3616.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison

Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Wednesdays: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a Baby and Me program at 9:30 a.m. for children 15 months and younger and their caregiver at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Bring a blanket to sit on. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Thursday: Friends of Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 10 a.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. New members welcome. Details: 724-226-3491.

April 16: The PriorityCare program at Allegheny Valley Hospital will offer a free educational program about Medicare at 2 p.m. in the Charles W. Young Conference Center at the hospital, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. Bruce Martindale, senior benefits consultant for Highmark, will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-7339.

April 27: Faith Lutheran Church is accepting table reservations for an indoor garage sale planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 1500 Broadview Blvd. Cost: $15. Space is limited. Details: 724-224-5777.

April 28: Veterans of Foreign Wars District 29 Auxiliary Steering Committee will sponsor a bingo at 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $35, includes lunch, 12 regular games and three specials. Tickets: Amy, 724-882-5600, or Ceil, 412-759-8236 or at the post, 724-904-7649.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

New Kensington  

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored in memory of Phil LaRusse. Details: 878-847-7997.

April 27: Space applications are being accepted by the Eagles for a vendor and crafter show planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Cost: 8-foot table, $25; 4-foot table, $15; includes two chairs. Details: Shell Schafer, 412-522-8799.

April 27: Space reservations by Redemption Church for a craft and vendor fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Quality Inn, Tarentum Bridge Road. Cost: $35, includes one 8-foot table and two chairs. No electricity available. Application deadline: April 13. Details and applications: redemptionpa.org.

North Apollo 

April 13: North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department is accepting space reservations for a craft and vendor fair set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the firehall, 311 16^th St. Details: Allison King, 724-472-5346 or kingal0103@gmail.com; or Amber Harman at 724-596-0486 or amberharman2015@outlook.com.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Saxonburg 

Saturday : Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company will sponsor a designer purse gala from 2 to 5 p.m. April 6 at the firehall ballroom, 290 Horne St. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Admission: $50, includes appetizers, drink, dessert and two numbers for the drawings. There will be side raffles, a basket raffle, pull tickets, specialty drinks and a cash bar. Winner need not be present. Ticket holders must be at least 16. Tickets: saxonburgvfc.com/events/pursegala.

Tarentum

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: https://elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum and History Center will host an evening of scrapbooking from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Bring your own supplies or supplies will be sold. Details: Melissa, 412-401-7196 or 724-224-7666.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Vandergrift  

Wednesday: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

April 7: TinyCause animal shelter will host a vaccination clinic for cats and dogs from noon to 4 p.m. at the shelter, 131 Columbia Ave. Cost: rabies, $10 for cats or dogs; 3-year rabies with paper verification of previous year’s shot, $15; DHPP that protects against canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and coronavirus, $15, and FVRCP feline combination vaccine, $15. Cash only will be accepted. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier.

April 13: A drag queen bingo to benefit TinyCause animal shelter will be at 7 p.m. at The Center on Franklin Avenue, 262 Franklin Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be a basket raffle, strip tickets and a 50-50 raffle. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes eight regular games that pay $100 each, specials, soft drinks and food. BYOB. Must be 21. No refunds. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3n2nxd8x.

Washington Township

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing is sizes children’s clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.